Nikopolis

Preveza


The ruins of Nikopolis, built in 28 BC by Octavian (later Augustus), after he defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra in the naval Battle of Actium (Aktion), include Roman walls, Byzantine walls and churches, a stadium and two theatres. Much was destroyed by Bulgarians in the 11th century, but the scale of the ruined 'City of Victory' remains breathtaking, even if it requires a little imagination to conjure. It helps to visit the museum first.

The main site entrance, 5km north of Preveza, leads to a Byzantine church and, a bit north, the Roman odeon. Farther north along the road are long stretches of the walls erected by Emperor Justinian in AD 540. Around another bend is the Roman stadium and a larger theatre, with seating for 5000. These are all by the roadside and accessible for free. Allow a couple of hours to hike the site on foot, if you come by bus (take any bound for Filippiada or Ioannina). With a car you can cover the whole area more quickly, and also follow the signs for the farther-flung 'Actium Trophy', the massive monument Octavian built after the battle. The huge wall here once displayed the battering rams from the conquered warships.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Preveza attractions

1. Archaeological Museum of Nikopolis

1.24 MILES

This modern museum brims with the treasures of Nikopolis: Roman marble statuary, mosaics from Byzantine churches and more. Abundant English-language…

2. Fortress of Agia Mavra

11.38 MILES

Guarding Lefkada at the start of the causeway, 1.4km from town, the Agia Mavra fortress was constructed in the 14th century and later expanded by the…

3. Archaeological Museum

12.13 MILES

This excellent museum, west along the waterfront in the modern cultural centre, illuminates island history from the Palaeolithic era to the Romans. Prize…

4. Collection of Post-Byzantine Icons

12.21 MILES

Upstairs in the local library, and unlocked on demand, this small gallery displays icons from the Ionian school and Russia that date to 1500. The two…

5. Moni Faneromenis

13.01 MILES

Set in beautiful hilltop gardens 3km west of town towards Agios Nikitas, Moni Faneromenis was founded in 1634 and rebuilt following a fire in 1886. The…

6. Pefkoulia Beach

14.86 MILES

White-pebbled Pefkoulia Beach is a five-minute drive north of Agios Nikitas and can get busy in summer, but even crowds can't detract from its beauty.

7. Folklore Museum

16.2 MILES

Set in the former tollhouse of Arta's old bridge, this little museum has a small collection of traditional costumes and tools from the area. It's a nice…

8. Old Bridge

16.24 MILES

This stone bridge, likely built in the early 1600s, spans the Arahthos River in four elegant arches. (The windows in the pedestals are for water overflow…