Arta, the capital town of this
district, is built along the banks of the Arahthos River and at the foot of Peranthi hill on the site of ancient Amvrakia, a Corinthian colony In 295 B.C. King Pyrrhus transferred the capital of his kingdom to Amvrakia, which he used as a base from which to attack the Romans. The town is not mentioned under the name of Arta until 1082. In 1204 after the fall of Constantinople to the Crusaders, it became the capital of the Despotate of Epirus. The Turks conquered it in 1449 and it was liberated from them in
1881.
A town with its own personal atmosphere, modern Arta has much to attract the visitor, including many Byzantine churches and the 13th century castle that overlooks it.
Church of Agios Vassilios: A small 13th century edifice, whose facade is decorated with
enamelled tiles and bricks set in a hound' s tooth pattern. The important frescoes and icons in the interior are of equal interest.
Church of Agia Theodora (Arta' s patron saint): This 13th century basilica has three narthexes and a vestibule. The capitals on the columns in the sanctuary originally belonged to an Early Christian building of the 5th or 6th century. Here too the frescoes are of great interest.
Church of Panagia Parigoritissa (the former Cathedral): Built in 1295 by Anna Pataiologos, it is notable for the bold and innovative method used to support its dome. The vault is covered with mosaics, the sculptures are Italianate, and the icons (13th - 16th century) on the iconostasis and the frescoes in the narthex are
superb.
Ancient Amvrakia: Recent excavations (1976) brought to light the theatre - of which the small orchestra and four rows of seats have been preserved - the foundations of the Doric temple of Pythian Apollo (5th century B.C.), sections of the ancient walls, and the base of a 6th century B.C.
monument.
