GREECE EPIRUS PREVEZA PARGA

At the end of a dead-end road branching off the main road between Igoumenitsa and Preveza, the picturesque resort town of Parga lies amphitheatrically on the Ionian coast. With its old part of the town and beautiful beaches it attracts many visitors in the summer months.

Overlooking the town and the bay is a castle, initially built in the 11th century by the residents of Parga to protect their town from the pirates. In the 13th century, as their control of the region increased, the Venetians rebuilt the castle to fortify the area. In 1452, Parga was occupied by the Ottomans for two years during which time part of the castle was demolished. In 1537, Ottoman admiral/pirate Hayreddin Barbarossa burnt and destroyed the fortress and the houses within. Before the reconstruction of the castle in 1572 by Venetians, the Turkish demolished it once again. The Venetians then rebuilt a perfect strong fortress that stayed impregnable until 1819, despite the attacks especially of Ali Pasha of Ioannina. When in that year Parga was sold to the Ottomans, Ali Pasha enhanced the fortification and some 4,000 Pargians fled to the British protectorate of Corfu.