Parga is a town of Preveza prefecture. It is built like an amphitheater on the shores of the Ionian Sea, opposite Paxos at an altitude of 139 m. It has population of 3,846 citizens and it is part of the municipality of Kanallaki. Parga is now an economic, commercial and touristic centre.
Parga combines geographical form with physical beauty and is one of the most popular touristic towns of Epirus. The fortifications of the Venetians (14th century) and French (18th century), the temple of the Holy Apostles (in which priceless Byzantine relics, etc. are kept in) are distinguished from all the historical monuments.
History
In Byzantine times, Parga was built on a mountain peak named Pezovolos. The raids of the Albanians forced the inhabitants to move the village to its present position (1360). There followed a long period of prosperity under the rule first of the Normans (up from 1400 to 1401) and later by the Venetians (until 1797). The French came after the Venetians (until 1814), and the English came after them. The English sold Parga to Ali Pasha (1817). That forced 5,000 residents to abandon Parga and go to the neighbouring island of Corfu. During the reign of Ali Pasha, and later of the Turks, the town became the property of the officials of the Manor Gate. Parga was released by the Greek forces during the Greco-Turkish war from 1912 to 1913.
Sightseeing
- The castle of “Ali Pasha” in Anthousa
- The historic Venetian Castle
- The island with the church of Panagia
- The ecclesiastical museum in downtown
- The church of St. Nicholas, patron saint of Parga
- The Monastery of St. Vlacherna
- The church of Ai.Sosti beneath the rock in a unique setting overlooking the beach
- The picturesque cobblestone streets within the city village
- The underwater source at Ai Giannakis bay
- The natural caves at Lichnos
- The dozens of churches in the city village
Beaches
- Kryoneri Beach. A beautiful and picturesque beach, which is located opposite the island of Panagia. Across the beach there is a small rocky island, which the Pargans call “Skorda”
- Piso (behind) Kryoneri Beach. Located near to Kryoneri. It is a small pebble beach within Parga and it is surrounded by high cliffs
- Valtos Beach. To the west of Parga lies the famous beach. It is a beach of great tourist interest, which is overlooked by the rear of the castle of Ali Pasha, and the houses of the Tourkopazaro, a very famous area of Parga.
- Lichnos Beach. It is located 3 km east of Parga, and it has two small sea caves. It is a sandy beach, and at some points is shingle, and is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the area ! Surrounded by mountains and olive groves, tourists can taste the blue Ionian Sea.
- There are also the beaches of Ai Giannakis – 6km East of Parga, near the village of Agia Kyriaki, – and 6km West of Parga, near the village of Agia, is Sarakiniko. All these beaches are accessed by car and there are beaches that can be accessed by boat such as Saint Sostis, Spartilas the Pogonia etc
