# Arta Castle

- **Country:** Greece
- **Coordinates:** 39.164742, 20.986542
- **Century Built:** Byzantine period
- **Location Text:** Arta

The Castle of Arta is a medieval fortification located in the city of Arta in western Greece, situated at the northeastern edge of the urban center near a bend in the Arachthos River. Built upon the site of the ancient lower town of Ambracia, the castle incorporates remnants of ancient ashlar masonry into its eastern walls. While the location was fortified by the 11th century, the current structure is primarily attributed to Michael II Komnenos Doukas, a ruler of the Despotate of Epirus, during the early 13th century. Although its origins are Byzantine Greek, the architectural form visible today largely reflects modifications and expansions made during subsequent Ottoman rule.

Historically, the castle served as the citadel for Arta when it functioned as the capital of the Despotate of Epirus. Throughout the Middle Ages, the stronghold was a strategic prize contested by the Byzantine Empire, the Serbian Empire, Albanian rulers, and the Angevin Kingdom of Naples. Following centuries of Ottoman dominance interrupted briefly by Venetian and French control, the fortress remained under Ottoman authority until Arta was annexed by the Kingdom of Greece in 1881. The complex features an irregular layout with double walls on most sides, including an inner wall approximately ten meters high protected by towers, while the eastern side relies on a single wall integrating ancient defenses.

Today, the Castle of Arta stands as a significant historical landmark representing the layered history of the Epirus region. Its construction over ancient ruins and its survival through numerous sieges and regime changes highlight its enduring military and political importance. The site offers visitors a tangible connection to the medieval Despotate of Epirus and the later Ottoman period, preserving the memory of a city that frequently shifted hands between major European and Balkan powers before becoming part of modern Greece.

![Photo of Arta Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Arta_Castle_Greece_16.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_Arta (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)