ΑΑRTARTAOUR TOWNOUR TOWN

• The province of The province of Arta is one of the Arta is one of the four provinces of four provinces of the Epirus region, the Epirus region, whose capital is whose capital is the eponymous the eponymous city of Arta, at a city of Arta, at a distance of 365 km distance of 365 km from Athens.from Athens.

• The city of Arta is built on The city of Arta is built on a natural amphitheatre on a natural amphitheatre on the banks of the river the banks of the river Arahtos in the same place Arahtos in the same place as the ancient city of as the ancient city of Amvrakia, which was a Amvrakia, which was a Corinthian colony, founded Corinthian colony, founded in 625 B.C. aproximately. in 625 B.C. aproximately.

• As the capital of Pyrros As the capital of Pyrros (since 295 B.C.) Arta (since 295 B.C.) Arta acquired power, wealth acquired power, wealth and advanced in the fields and advanced in the fields of city – planning, political of city – planning, political and religious affairs.and religious affairs.

• Old Byzantine church Old Byzantine church been completed in the been completed in the first half of the 13th first half of the 13th century. It is located in century. It is located in the west part of Arta. the west part of Arta. Initially, along with other Initially, along with other buildings (of which it is buildings (of which it is only the gate remaining) only the gate remaining) it was the church it was the church dedicated to Agios dedicated to Agios Georgios (Saint George). Georgios (Saint George). It has been renamed to It has been renamed to Saint Theodora, after Saint Theodora, after Theodora’s death, wife of Theodora’s death, wife of Epirus bishop Michael B’, Epirus bishop Michael B’, because she beautified it, because she beautified it, she lived as a monk in it she lived as a monk in it and she was burried there and she was burried there as well. Theodora was as well. Theodora was proclaimed saint and the proclaimed saint and the protector of Arta.protector of Arta.

AGIA THEODORA

THE ARTA BRIDGE

• It is the most important greek bridge, It is the most important greek bridge, well – know due to its extraordinary well – know due to its extraordinary architecture and the famous legend architecture and the famous legend of the chief-builder, known not only of the chief-builder, known not only in Greece and Balkan but in other in Greece and Balkan but in other countries too. Its history goes back in countries too. Its history goes back in time even before roman period, time even before roman period, maybe in the times of Pyrros. During maybe in the times of Pyrros. During the centuries, the Arta Bridge has the centuries, the Arta Bridge has been restored and extended many been restored and extended many times. The last restoration was in times. The last restoration was in 1612.1612.

• Magnificent Byzantine Magnificent Byzantine Church, perhaps the Church, perhaps the most impressive one of most impressive one of all remained integral in all remained integral in Greece. It was built in Greece. It was built in the second half of the the second half of the 13th century, in two 13th century, in two floors and there are floors and there are cells remaining at the cells remaining at the eastern part of it from eastern part of it from the times used as a the times used as a monastery. The church monastery. The church is full of remarkable is full of remarkable frescos and sculpturesfrescos and sculptures

PARIGORITISSA

• Old monastery. Its Old monastery. Its church, built in the church, built in the beginning of 13th beginning of 13th century is still in a good century is still in a good condition. It is located condition. It is located on the other side of the on the other side of the river Arachtos, north – river Arachtos, north – east of Arta. The east of Arta. The sculptures, frescos and sculptures, frescos and inscriptions remained in inscriptions remained in the church and the the church and the tombs of Epirus Bishops tombs of Epirus Bishops are of historical interest.are of historical interest.

PANAGIA OF BLACHERNON

AGIOS BASILIOSAGIOS BASILIOS

• Byzantine church, built most probably in the Byzantine church, built most probably in the 14th century. Its ceramic decoration is rich as 14th century. Its ceramic decoration is rich as well as the tiles with presentations on themwell as the tiles with presentations on them

KATO PANAGIA

• An old monastery with a Byzantine church of the 13th century. It is located south of Arta, at distance of two kilometers, on the eastern bank of the river Arachthos. The ceramic decoration of the church is rich and of historical interest. Nowadays it is a monastery for women who are occupied in tapistry.

SKOUFA STREETSKOUFA STREET

ZERBAS SQUAREZERBAS SQUARE