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The region of Arta is the southern gate to Epirus, the least known and visited part of mountainous Greece from tourists that come from abroad. The treasures of Arta have remained hidden because of the difficult access to Epirus in general but newly built motorways tend to change this fact. The natural beauty and the slow paced lifestyle have added to the development of alternative and recreational tourism, with most of the hotels and pensions offering the chance to outdoor activities and sports.
The starting point of the history of the region of Arta is the ancient city of Ambrakia, founded by Corinthians in the late 7th century BC. In 295 BC Ambrakia was occupied by Pyrros, King of Epirus and was declared as the capital city of his kingdom. In the Roman years to follow, the city of Nikopolis was built and surpassed the city of Ambrakia resulting in the desolation of the latter. The contemporary name of the region, Arta, was first used in the 11th century. At the beginning of the 13th century Arta has become the capital of the Despotate of Epirus, but was conquered by Serbs in the next century until 1449 when Arta was occupied by Ottoman Turks. The region of Arta became a part of Greece in 1881.
Arta is a region situated in the south part of Epirus and its neighbouring regions are Aetoloacarnania to the south, Karditsa and Trikala to the east, Ioannina to the north and Preveza to the west. The region spans an area of 1.662 sq. km. and a total population of 77.680 inhabitants. The capital city of the region is Arta. The main mountain ranges are Athamanika or Tzoumerka and Valtos Mountains. The agricultural plains of Arta region are famous of orange cultivation. The main rivers are Acheloos, Arachthos and Louros.The most famous landmark of the region of Arta is the Old Bridge situated in the entrance of the city of Arta over Arachthos River but apart from this the region has many important Byzantine churches dating from the glorious Byzantine past of the area as part of the Despotate of Epirus. The most significant of them are: The church of St. Theodora, church of Vlacherna and Panaghia Parigoritissa. Although the region is mainly mountainous there are some beaches on the south facing the Ambracian Gulf where you can enjoy in the summer, while the main attraction of the region is up on the mountain range of Tzoumerka and Arachthos River where you can enjoy unspoiled nature and a plunge into the cold waters for those who dare to try it.Police of Arta: +30 26810 21450
Tourist Police of Arta: +30 26810 77010
Hospital of Arta: +30 26810 22222
Bus services in Arta: +30 26810 27348 -
Catalogue of companies for Arta
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Map for Arta