The ruins of the acropolis of the ancient Pandosia are at the top of a hill above the village Kastri in the area of Parga.

The acropolis was inhabited and in use for many centuries. The fortification was reinforced during the Justinianian period and again in the 15th century by the Venetians.

History

In antiquity, Pandosia was an important city with a strong acropolis. It was a colony of Elis. Later, in the Roman period, it was the capital of the Epirote League (around 168 BC).

After 31 BC, it declined because the population was forced to move to the new Roman city, Nikopolis. It was deserted for a century and a half, but during the Roman imperial period it recovered.

The city and its acropolis continued to exist in the next centuries. The fortification was reinforced in the 6th century as part of the construction/reconstruction project of fortresses of Emperor Justinian.

Between 1401 and 1797, the region of Parga was occupied by the Venetians who in the 15th century repaired the fortification of Pandosia and transformed it to a fortress. The Venetians had good reasons for this, because the hill is only 200m from the Acheron river which was the border with the Ottoman territory. Most of the remains of the acropolis today are from that Venetian period.

Structure, Fortification & Buildings

The walls of Pandosia surround the hill. The perimeter is 1600 m and the total area is 33 hectares. There are 22 defensive towers many of which are still visible. Two gates are preserved at the east side and possibly another one at the NW side.

Sources