NOMOS ARTAS

ARTA

Population (according to 2021 census): 24.079

History

From Ambracia to the Despotate of Epirus

Arta: The Long History of a City - From Ancient Ambracia to the Byzantine Despotate and the Integration into the Greek State

-The history of Arta is exceptionally rich and is divided into significant periods, primarily the ancient and the Byzantine. -The city's historical journey begins with Ambracia, the ancient city located on the site of present-day Arta. It was founded around 625 BC by Gorgus, the illegitimate son of the tyrant of Corinth, Cypselus, as a Corinthian colony. -Ambracia quickly emerged as an important commercial, administrative, and cultural center in Western Greece, due to its strategic location. In its historical course, among other things, it participated in the Persian Wars (Battle of Salamis, Battle of Plataea); while ruins of the Temple of Apollo Pythios Soter (approx. 500 BC) and parts of the Ancient Wall are preserved. -It reached the peak of its glory during the reign of Pyrrhus I (King of the Molossians), who made it the capital of the Kingdom of Epirus in 295 BC. Major buildings were constructed at that time, such as the Small Theater. -The city was conquered and plundered by the Romans. After the founding of Nicopolis (31 BC), the population was transferred there, resulting in Ambracia being deserted for approximately 1,000 years. -The city reappears on the historical map with the name Arta around the 10th-11th century. Its new brilliance culminated during the Byzantine period. -After the Fall of Constantinople to the Crusaders in 1204, Michael I Komnenos Doukas settled in Epirus and founded the Despotate of Epirus, making Arta the capital of his state. Arta became the center of Hellenism and Orthodoxy, maintaining the Byzantine tradition against the Latins and the Slavs. The city experienced tremendous cultural and economic growth. -During this period, its most important Byzantine churches were built or renovated (e.g., Panagia Parigoritissa, Agios Vasilios of the Agora, Agia Theodora) and the Castle of Arta, a representative example of fortification architecture. -Arta was conquered by the Ottomans in 1449 AD. During the Ottoman rule, the city maintained its role as an important commercial center. -The Bridge of Arta took its final form in 1612, while the legend of the Master Builder is connected to the difficulty of the project. -The city came under the rule of Ali Pasha Tepelena. The Plane Tree of Ali Pasha next to the Bridge is preserved from this period. -Arta was liberated and incorporated into the Greek state in 1881, after the Treaty of Berlin. For some time, the Bridge of Arta constituted the border between Greece and the Ottoman Empire, as did the Bridge of Plaka on the Arachthos river, which was built in 1866 and was the largest single-arch stone bridge in Greece.

Traditions

The Bridge of Arta and the Rich Cultural Heritage of the Region

Tradition and Culture in Arta

Πλάνο του ιστορικού Πλατάνου του Αλή Πασά στην Άρτα

-The area of Tradition is very broad and refers to the sum of cultural elements, customs, beliefs, songs, dances, and stories that are passed down from generation to generation in a society or region. -The Epirote musical tradition, to which Arta belongs, is particularly known for its slow rhythms, the virtuosity in its instrumental pieces (clarinet, violin, lute), and its dances (Pogonios, Syrtos sta Tria, Zagorisios, etc.). Arta also has a Department of Folk and Traditional Music. -The Bridge of Arta is one of the most famous monuments and is connected to the eponymous folk legend/ballad. The legend concerns the sacrifice of the Master Builder's wife into the foundations of the bridge, as a necessary element for the structure to stand firm, according to the ancient belief about "stoicheioma" (imbuing a structure with a protective spirit/binding it to a foundation). Although the bridge’s final form dates to the 17th century (1612), its foundations can be traced back to the Hellenistic period (possibly a work of Pyrrhus). -Many customs are associated with major religious holidays, such as Easter, where the "Lazaroudia" (Lazarus songs) and the "Limbes" (breaking of clay plates) on Holy Saturday stand out, among others.

Local products

The Agricultural and Fishing Production of Arta: Olives, Cheeses, Honey, and Ambracian Bottarga

The Products of the Arta Land

-Arta is a place with rich agricultural production and a distinct gastronomic tradition, which makes it an important destination for culinary tourism. -Arta is famous for its citrus fruits, being one of the largest orange production areas in Greece. In recent years, it has also emerged as a significant producer of kiwifruit, with a large output that is exported. -The region produces exquisite table olives, with the variety "Konservolia Artas" having been recognized as a Product of Geographical Indication (PGI) since 1994. Olive cultivation is highly developed, and Lianolia is the dominant variety for olive oil. -Honey of high nutritional value is produced, mainly citrus honey, but also fir, pine, and chestnut honey, as well as by-products such as royal jelly and pollen. -Livestock farming is very developed, making Arta the second-largest area in Epirus ( after Ioannina) in dairy production. Traditional cheeses with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) are produced, such as Feta, Kefalograviera, and Galotyri; as well as other local dairy products, such as the creamy Tsalafouti (a fresh, soft cheese), Anthotyro, and yogurt. -The Ambracian Gulf is famous for its Gambares (local prawns), sardines, red mullets, and mullets. Additionally, the area produces the fine Ambracian Bottarga (Avgotaraho), as well as smoked eel and the less known but particularly high-quality Arta caviar.

Tourism

Culture and Alternative Tourism in Arta

Monuments, Legends, and Natural Treasures - From the Legendary Bridge and the Byzantine Despotate to Tzoumerka and the Ambracian Gulf

-Arta, built on the site of ancient Ambracia, is a city with a pronounced Byzantine character and rich natural beauty, offering options for both cultural tourism and alternative getaways. -The Legendary Bridge of Arta is one of the most famous and impressive single-arch stone bridges in Greece (although it is actually four-arched, with the largest arch reaching 18-19 meters). The asymmetrical arrangement of its arches makes it unique. -The legend of the sacrifice of the master builder's wife, to make the bridge stand firm, is one of the most famous folk songs. It reflects the belief that the completion of a major project requires a supreme sacrifice. -Its current form mainly dates back to the Ottoman period (17th century), although there are references to an older bridge in the same location from antiquity or Byzantine times. -On the left bank of the Arachthos, next to the bridge, stands the Plane Tree of Ali Pasha, a centuries-old tree linked to the area's history. -The Holy Church of Panagia Parigoritissa is considered the most significant Byzantine monument in Arta and one of the most remarkable in the Balkans, representing the flourishing of the Despotate of Epirus in the 13th century. -The church is completely unique. Its style is octagonal and it is famous for the support system of its central dome. The dome is supported in a complex manner by eight columns and successive recesses and corbels, giving the impression that it is floating. Rare mosaics depicting the Pantokrator are preserved in the church's dome, while the remaining sections are covered by frescoes. -In the past, the church was the katholikon (main church) of a large monastery, while today the surrounding area houses the Archaeological Collection of Parigoritissa. -The Archaeological Museum of Arta is located near the Bridge. The permanent exhibition is structured into three major sections: the Public Life, the Cemeteries, and the Private Life of the inhabitants of ancient Ambracia. The majority of the findings relate to the Hellenistic period (3rd - 2nd c. BC), when Ambracia, under King Pyrrhus, was the capital of the Epirote State. -Its exhibits include votive and funerary stelae from the cemeteries of the ancient city, coins, and pottery, which reveal the social and economic life of the region. -The Byzantine Castle of Arta occupies the hill of Peranthi, the highest point within the city. It was originally built in the 13th century, during the time of the Despotate of Epirus, using the base and materials from the ancient walls of Ambracia. -During the Ottoman period, it functioned as an administrative and military center. Inside, there were buildings such as barracks and residences. -Today, the castle grounds are often used for cultural events and offer the ideal spot to enjoy the panoramic view of the city, the Arachthos river, and the Ambracian Gulf. -The Small Theater of Ancient Ambracia is a miniature, but important, ancient theater dating from the 4th - 3rd century BC. -The imposing Tzoumerka (Athamanian Mountains) are the ideal destination for nature lovers and alternative tourism, offering a mountain paradise with opportunities for rafting and kayaking on the rapid Arachthos river. In the Tzoumerka villages, such as Vourgareli, Agnanta, and Melissourgoi, visitors encounter authentic Epirote hospitality, picturesque squares with running water, and stone architecture, with the stunning Bridge of Plaka and the historical Red Church (Kokkini Ekklisia) of the 13th century as top attractions. -The Ambracian Gulf is one of the most important and protected wetlands in Europe (Natura 2000), serving as a sanctuary for over 250 species of birds, including the rare Dalmatian pelican. The area offers unique wildlife viewing experiences, while Koronisia, a small peninsula in the center of the gulf with the church of Panagia Koronisiotissa, and Kopraina with the Natural History Museum, are ideal locations to explore the natural beauty and the traditional fish farms (ivaria) of the region.