PREVEZA

GENERAL INFORMATION

The small prefecture of Preveza perhaps justifies the saying that ?the most valuable items come in small packages?. Indeed, within an area of less than 1000 square km, Preveza manages to encompass enchanting mountainous landscapes, comely beaches, and a long list of cultural and historical monuments.

HISTORY-CULTURE

Inhabited since the Paleolithic Age, the first peoples known to inhabit the prefecture of Preveza are traced as far back as the 3rd and the 2nd millennia BC, and these were the Northwestern ancient Greek tribes of the Thesprotians, the Kassopians, and the Molossi. More Greeks from the highly civilized Southern tribes were added to the population early in the 1st millennia BC, founding their own colonies or blending in with the existing populace. Though there is evidence of highly developed civilization which dates as far back as the Mycenean era, the region flourished between the 4th and the 2nd century BC. It was during this period that the Necromantic Temple attracted people hoping to communicate with the souls of their dead even from the most distant places. Romans were hard on Preveza as they were on the rest of Epirus, but two centuries later Emperor Augustus founded Nicopolis in honor of his naval triumph in Action, a city which he richly endowed with a massive public works programme. The city flourished during Byzantine times to reach a population of 300000, but a long period of barbarian raids which followed hindered further development. The next centuries were darker still, as the bitter Turkish conquest of the 1449 lasted nearly for five centuries. Preveza was finally liberated in 1912.      

SIGHTS

The coastline of Preveza is gifted with diverse successive beaches. Long sandy coasts alternate with reclusive rocky bays, thus fulfilling both cosmopolitan and lonely desires. Before moving inland, one should pause at the lagoon of the Amvracic gulf to revel in its bountiful ecosystem, then to follow the rivers Acheron and Louros upstream. Both routes hold the promise of exquisite beauty, which is continued even after reaching the sources of the rivers, where the charm of the river banks gives way to the magnificence of the imposing mountain ranges. The pathway to the springs of the river Acheron holds mystique along with its beauty, as this was the river that was believed by ancient Greeks to lead to the underworld of Hades. Somewhere on these banks the boatman waited for the souls of the deceased, which had to pay him his fee in order to allow them passage. In addition to the wonders of nature, a large number of important monuments depicts all the phases of history in Preveza. There are the ruins of ancient Kassopi, Vatia, Pandossia, and of the Necromancy Temple, all representing the ancient days. Nicopolis is a model city of the age of Rome, while the three castles of Preveza and the ones of Parga, Rogon, and Anthoussa, and the monasteries of Agia Pelagia, Agios Dimitrios, Avassou, and Kozilis, as well as many churches, bring forth memories of medieval Byzantium and of the following centuries. The cliff of Zaloggo stands in reminiscence of a most dramatic incident of more recent history, the ceremonial suicide of the women of Souli. The picturesque islet of Panagia and the lake of Ziros are also worthy of an extended visit, and must be added to a list that only lack of sufficient space should bring to an end.        

ENTERTAINMENT-SPORTS-SHOPPING

Being the largest centers of the prefecture, Preveza, Filippiada and Parga offer full accommodations and facilities, including hotels, rooms for rent, camping sites, cafes, bars, movie theatres, night clubs, shops, restaurants and taverns. Smaller towns and villages also offer rooms, taverns, bars, and occasionally also night clubs. Traveling within the prefecture to enjoy its numerous attractions is facilitated by an efficient road network. The services provided are of the highest quality, especially in destinations accustomed to servicing visitors. Fresh fish and sea meals can be enjoyed dockside in Preveza and Parga. The latter is a common attraction among lovers, its narrow, stone-paved, flower-framed alleys, gradually descending to the traditional dock while viewing the Ionian Sea, forming the ideal romantic stroll. Watersports are fully available in most organized beaches, while alpine challenges await on the inland mountain ranges. Traditional local hand-made carpets and textiles are renowned for their quality and taste, and one should not miss a chance to taste the local beverage made from tangerine.        

ACCESS

Few places in Greece can be accessed as easily as Preveza, as it is serviced by daily flights, ferries, and bus routes. Furthermore, the underwater tunnel near Aktion and the Rion-Antirrion bridge make it easily accessible from the South, while the quickly progressing works on the Via Egnatia motorway will soon open a fast route to the North. Direct bus routes are also destined to Parga.    

CONNECTIONS

There are direct bus connections with Arta, Ioannina, Agrinio, and Igoumenitsa while the extensive motorway network ensures easy connection with the entire Greek mainland. Ferries sail daily from the ports of Preveza and Parga to the islands of the Ionian Sea and to Aetoloakarnania.  

MUSEUMS

Preveza has a museum focused on the naval battle of 31 BC in Aktion. In nearby Neochori there is a natural history museum, which exhibits flora and fauna specimens of the area. The folk art museum in Rematia has a collection which provides considerable insight into the life and habits of the people who lived here in the past four centuries. Finally, the archaeological museum in Nicopolis is rich in items of the Roman era, while the ecclesiastical-historical museum in Parga is also well worth a visit.     

ALTERNATIVE TOURISM

Archaeology, caving, spiritual, agrotourism, ecotourism, birdwatching, gastronomy, canyoning, sporting (water ski, sailing, windsurfing, jet ski, canoe-kayak, scuba diving, zodiac cruise, mountain climbing, mountain bike, rafting, monoraft, trekking, river trekking).

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

PREVEZA AREA CODE:  26820-

POLICE STATION: 26820-89541, 22225

TOURIST POLICE: 26820-89566

TRAFFIC POLICE: 26820-89373, 28136, 28922

PORT POLICE: 26820-22226, 22710, 31227

POST OFFICE: 26820-22249

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORG.: 26820-61299

MUNICIPALITY: 26820-22212

BUS STATION: 26820-22213, 61332

TAXI STATION: 26820-28470, 28030, 51220, 23750

HOSPITAL: 26820-22871-2

PHARMACIES: 26820-22103, 22959, 29488, 25576, 24076

AIRPORT: 26820-22089