Area and Transportation

On Epirus’ western coastline, in the northern part of the Preveza prefecture, Parga is one of the most discerning locations on the Ionian coast, within surroundings of special natural beauty. An endless series of bays, capes and beaches with crystal clear waters that stretch north of the mouth of the river Acheron. Inland, the century old olive groves ascend the hillsides, while further away, the mountain masses of Souli and Paramithia dominate the skyline.

 

Tied with this landscape, comes an exceptional history, which seems to be fading away whenever one looks back. In spite of the changes and the oblivion, which comes with intense present day life, Parga is a special place, which casts an invincible attraction on all who visit.

 

From antiquity until today

A great number of findings in the area prove a definite human presence already from prehistoric times. Besides the Mycenaean settlements, also known from the works of Homer, the town of Parga is also home to ancient Torini, one of the most important centres of the ancient tribe of the Thesprotians. Even though its exact location is not accurately known, it is evident that it is in this as well as the greater area that the numerous relics of human settlement, dispersed within a small distance from the coastline, belong to this ancient city.

 

In the centuries that follow the Roman occupation, historical sources cease. Much later, in medieval times, we have the first mention of Parga. Tradition wants the town to be founded by the inhabitants of Constantinople, who were forced to flee when the city was sacked by the crusaders. According to this tradition, the first settlers established themselves at a different location to today’s- originally in the area above the monastery of Vlaheronas, at the western corner of Valtos’s bay, and later due to regular invasions- towards the hinterland, in “Palioparga” (old Parga). In 1401 Parga comes under the protection of the Venetians, who regard it as the “eye” of Venice in mainland Greece, and flourishes during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. During this period it rose to become one of the most prominent trade centres in the whole region, whilst at the same time, it was the base of rebels in the area, turning the rage of the Turks against it.

 

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