In the southern part of the Arta region lies its capital, Arta.
Its is true that Arta is well-known for its famous bridge of Arta, but it also has rich history and sights. Having a population of around 22 thousand residents, Arta is the second in size city in Epirus, after Ioannina.
Arta's town is built where the ancient Amvrakia stood years ago. This was the city that King Pyrrus named capital of the Kingdom of Epirus in 295 BC. Only few buildings have survived from the ancient city, among which stand out. the small Theater of Amvrakia and the remains of the Temple of Apollo. The roman invasion of 168 BC rips not only the city off from its treasures, but also its residents who are forced to move to ancient Nikopolis. Almost for a millennium the region lives in oblivion, when in the 13th century the Despotate of Epirus is founded, having Arta as the capital; now second prime was ahead of Arta.
After strolling the streets of Arta, its a must to visit the renown Bridge of Arta and feel bits of the legend that surrounds its construction. Following on, you should see the Sacred Temple of Panagia Parigoritisa (Our Lady of Consolation), the Castle of Arta and some of the notable museums of the city like the Archaeological Museum of Arta, the Folklore Museum "Skoufa" and the "Skoufa" Museum of History.
Luckily, after a full day there are many choices for dinner. Taverns, mezedopoleia (traditional greek places where small food plates are served with ouzo or tsipouro) and restaurants have to offer a variety of delightful tastes, together with cafes and bars for a cup of coffee and drinks. As the night falls, do not miss out the vibrant nightlife of Arta and make sure to choose one of its exceptional hotels or guest houses for a good night's sleep.
The first time the region was inhabited, is hinted by the few findings from the neolithic times. In essence, Arta enters the historic map around 625 BC when Corinthian colonists founded the ancient Amvrakia, at the point where the city of Arta stands today.
On 295 BC Pyrrhus, the king of Epirus, transfered the kingdom's capital to Amvrakia, which gradually gained great prestige and power. Pyrrhus went down in history for the battles he gave, and even today there is the famous expression "Pyrrhic victory" (Pirios Niki) which means victory that ends up looking like defeat due to large loss in the army. During his reign, the town grew prosperous and significant projects were made, such as the original bridge at the site where today lies the Bridge of Arta, the small and large theater and the Prytaneion. The town's prosperity goes on until 167 BC, when it is occupied by the Romans and following the founding of Nikopolis finally falls into total decline.
Ancient Amvrakia reappears approximately 1000 years later as Arta. At the dawn of the 13th century Arta becomes the capital of the Despotate of Epirus and lives the second heyday of its history under the governance of the Komneni byzantine family. It is then that the Sacred Temple of Panagia Parigoritisa (Our Lady of Consolation) and the Castle of Arta are constructed.
As the years go by, the region passes through italian and serbian hands, until it falls in 1449 under the ottoman occupation. In 1881, the biggest part of the area is at last connected to Greece according to the Treaty of Berlin, while the flatland of Arta together with the rest of Epirus are set free during the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913.
It is worth noting that in the course of the Second Word War in Greece, one of the biggest massacres of non-combatants took place in the village Kommeno. This is still known today as the "Slaughter of the Village Kommeno".
