Agios Andreas Castle

The Castle of Saint Andrew, located in Preveza within the Epirus region of Greece, is a historic citadel originally constructed by the Ottoman Empire in the early 18th century. Built from hewn ashlar stone, the fortress was erected approximately 800 meters north of the previous Castle of Bouka, which had been razed by Venetians in 1701. The new structure served as a catalyst for urban development, drawing the local population northward to settle near the administrative center. Its modern name derives from a church dedicated to Saint Andrew that existed within its walls during the period of Venetian occupation, though it was historically known by names such as the Inner Castle or the Castle of the Plane Tree during Ottoman rule.

Architecturally, the castle began as a square structure featuring corner bastions, a surrounding moat, and earthwork defenses reinforced with wooden stakes. Over the centuries, it underwent significant expansions under Venetian control between 1717 and 1797, and later under the autonomous regime of Ali Pasha of Ioannina around 1807, eventually becoming the largest fortification in the Preveza area. The site holds considerable historical significance as a strategic military installation that changed hands multiple times, serving under Ottoman, Venetian, and Greek flags. It was notably involved in the Seventh Ottoman-Venetian War and witnessed the Battle of Nicopolis in 1798.

Today, the Castle of Saint Andrew stands as a ruin following partial demolition in the 20th century. Despite its deteriorated condition, the site remains under the ownership and protection of the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports. While specific details regarding public access are limited in current records, the fortress remains an important landmark representing the complex military and political history of western Greece, reflecting centuries of conflict and cultural exchange between major Mediterranean powers.