Listed 9 sub titles with search on: History for wider area of: "NIKOPOLI & PARGA Province PREVEZA" .
KAMARINA (Village) PREVEZA
The villages of Souli are to be found (with Kiafa, Avarino, Souli,
Samoniva mostly well known)
among Mourga (1340m. height), Zarroucho (1137 m.) and where the springs of river
Acheron are and where Acheron
crosses river Tsagariotiko.
The inhabitants of those villages had a system of self-government,
divided into 47 "tribes" which formed a special kind of confederacy.
They never submitted to the Turks, till 1803, when Ali-Passas forced them - after
a hard siege, under a treaty - to abandon their villages. But in spite of this
treaty, Ali-Passas ran after them and on 18th December 1803 a group of 56 women
and children withdrew to the steep top of the hill "Stefani" over St.
Demetrious Monastery. From that top, dancing and singing, they chose to fall
off the cliff holding their babies in their arms, instead of becoming enslaved
by the Turks. The Turk Imbrahim Manzur wrote down and published in Paris
1928 (Imbrahim Manzur, Paris
1928, translated by I. Sfyroeras, Papyrus, vol. 25, p. 326) the shocking description
of this event by an eye-witness, a Turk colonel, Souleiman-Aga of Ali-Passas,
as it follows: "Women of Souli, held their hands and performed a dance, showing
unusual heroism and the agony of death awaiting set the rhythm. At the end of
the rhythm. At the end of each chorus women expressed a long piercing cry, whose
echo died out in the death of the frightening abyss of the cliff, where they fell
off with their babies".
A Monument was built there, as a tribute and a symbol in the memory
of the sacrifice of these women of Souli. This Monument, whose sculptor was G.
Zoggolopoulos and architect P. Karantinos, can be reached by going up 410 steps,
starting from St. Demetrious
Monastery. The history of this Monastery
(Holy Monastery of Zalogo) begins around 400 A.C. with the foundation of the
Monastery of Gabriel (destroyed by Germans 1941-1944). The Monastery was transferred
further down around 1700 A.C. and became the church of St. Demetrious. This church
had a dome and very old wall-paintings which were completed in 1816, they were
restored in 1980-90 as well as the rest of the Monastery was restored and renovated
after 1962 when it turned into a convent.
(text: LAZAROS SINESIOS)
This text (extract) is cited July 2003 from the Prefecture
of Preveza tourist pamphlet.
PARGA (Small town) EPIRUS
Parga this divine land, attracted the attention of gods and daemons.
The icon of Mother Mary along with the multiple memories of fleeing
the settlement of Paleoparga, situated at the facing mountain called Petzovolio,
to the cave outside the castle, convinced the inhabitants to settle on the rock,
where today the castle stands.
Loved by the virgin Mary, and earlier by Mars, the period of her free
life will end on the 15th of April 1819.
Archeological finds, written scripts of the past and legend confirm
that human activity was present in this region from antiquity.
The Neolithic flint stone that was found in an olive plantation, the
domed shaped Minoan grave found on the property of Souida, the ancient wall segment
found outside the grounds of the Venetian castle along with a foundation stone
which constituted part of an ancient dock on the western side of Valtos bay, which
unfortunately was covered by rocks to build a marina, the rectangular shaped graves
on the road close to Anthousa,
all undoubtedly prove the existence of human civilization in the region throughout
antiquity.
Byzantine sources first refer to Parga in 1337 and most likely refer
to the older settlement of the castle and not Paleoparga at Petzovolio. The settlement
at its new position will have to deal this many perils during the passing of time.
For six years Parga will have to endure the rule of the thief Bogoi
(who considered himself as of Alban - Serbian - Boulgarian - Vlahos decent). When
he leaves he will request the protection of the Venetians. Their presence will
be felt between the 15th and 18th centuries. Throughout this period Parga will
be autonomous.
The raids and looting from land and sea will not cease during this
period. Hairetin Varvarosa will be one of those who will loot her.
The situation stabilizes from the late 16th century to the late 18th
century. Parga develops economically, and becomes a trade center. The old customs
office (Dogana) at Valtos still exists up to this day. Dogana also served as a
shelter and outpost for the 'kleftes' (rebels who fought against the rule of the
Ottoman Empire). The water fountain and the house of Boukovala, along with the
well of Androutso bear whiteness to this.
Parga will also stand by the fighters of Souli, as a result feel threatened
by Ali Pasha. During this period of growth, Parga will be visited by Kosmas Etolos.
As a result education will flourish. To name a few of the important educators
of the time: Filotheos the Holy Monk, Andreas Idromenos, Christoforos Peraikos
and Agapios Leonardo, etc.
In 1797 Venetian Rule is abolished by the French. With the treaty
of "the 5th December 1815" Parga is passed over to Ali Pasha of the Ottoman Empire
with the consent of the English who were protecting her at the time.
A significant time in history the period 1816 - 1819 with the endless
negotiations for compensation of the properties for those who decided to abandon
their homeland for Corfu.
With the dramatic climax on Good Friday the 15th April 1819, when they burn their
dead before they leave for Corfu.
Ali Pasha brings Laliotes Turks and Christians from the center of
Epirus to inhabit the almost deserted settlement. However the original inhabitants
will return gradually to their homeland, up until February 1913 when Turkish rule
ends.
Built on the fortress rock of the castle, and protected by the Petzovolio
range from the northwest, from the late Byzantium era to our days Parga flourished.
To the west the Bay of Valtos stretches out with its golden sandy
beaches which lead to cape Cheladio where to this day one can see the ruins of
the Monastery of Vlachernon (or St Vlacherna as referred to by the locals).
The sandy beach of Valtos continues all the way to Anthousa. In its
path it passes through the fertile plains overgrown with olive and other fruit
trees.
When times were safe. The insane ownership laws of the castle drove
the inhabitants to extend the settlement outside the walls around the Turkish
bazaar to the southeastern side all the way up to Krioneri.
This is Parga today. She reveals herself to the visitor like a painting.
This is more so if one visits the corner of Karidi or the bend of Lithitsa, or
when one goes sight seeing on the ring road.
The architecture resembles that of the Ionian islands and is unlike
that of mainland Epirus. The small houses have very little room for gardens. Locals
though like to have plants in their small yards, flower beds or pots.
One enjoys to stroll upward through the small and narrow roads flooded
with the scent of jasmine. As an old folk song says "....on the upward wall to
Parga, cinnamon and carnations decorate all...". To the north the endless dense
olive plantations. On the other side, the countless boulders in the sea, strange
water symphonies can be heard by the crashing waves.
It is worth while seeing the scenery of the sea. From the north you
pass the imposing rock boat, the frightening Frangopidima, and St Sostis the Protector,
resembling an odd umbrella over the Sarakiniko. From the south side passing Chagiopoulo,
Monolitho and Pogonia, Skembi and Prioni, the vast pebble beach of Lichnos with
its small caves, to end up at the closed bay of St Giannaki with the natural spring
water bubbling at its center. This will be a unique experience.
Rich in her history and beauty Parga does not need the compliments
of Homer to make her known. Perhaps his words will be out shadowed by her beauty.
The chronographer Pavlos Palaiologos wrote after visiting in 1964,
"I can't recall meeting such beauty in such small scale. All is magical.
Don't be afraid to exaggerate when talking about Parga. Whatever you say it will
never be enough to describe her beauty. In a beauty contest she would certainly
win first prize" .
This text is cited June 2003 from the Municipality of Parga URL below, which contains images.
PREVEZA (Town) EPIRUS
The town continues her walk to the future respecting the past. The
history of Preveza is strictly connected with its position in the area.
The place where Preveza is built, is located at ht South West edge
of Epirus, at he entrance
of Amvrakikos gulf, just
opposite the Aktion, in a
very small distance from Ancient
Nikopolis of which Preveza is the continuation of Colonism.
The settling appears in the middle of the 11th Century. The strategic
as well as the commercial significance of its place was very important so that
attracted a lot of new settlers, but conquerors as well.
For the first time, it's mentioned with its recent name, at the end
of 13th Century in "Moreus Chronic". 200 years later, during 1495, has been selected
by the Turks to serve as a military port.
In the middle of the 15th Century, it was the object of a strong
conflict between the Turks and their rivals, the Venetians. So that more than
once, Preveza changed conquerors, until the Passarovits’ treaty in 1718,
that was granted to Venetians (10 - 21 July 1718) who kept it under their occupation,
until the fall of their Empire on 1797.
At that moment, the possession of Preveza was taken over by French
who however, were expelled by Ali Pasha the following year, remaining until her
liberation, under the Othomanic possession.
The crucial period for the development and the expansion of a settling
into a town was the period of the Venetian occupation, as well as that of Ali
Pasha.
Both of them, (Turks and Venetians) constructed castles rescued until
today, (the castle of Agios Andreas, of Agios Georgios, Pantokratoras).
Ali Pasha built at Preveza his summer palace, at the place known nowadays
as "Paleiosaraga", nearby the spas. His most important construction however, was,
the wall (DAPIA), which surrounded the town and offered protection to the residents
and to their commercial activities.
Until the Second World War, Preveza was the centre of transports of
Epirus, as well as the port for military provisions, at the Northwest Greece.
(The war of 1897, the Balkan wars, the first and the Second World War).
This special character of the town, attracted inhabitants from other
places of Epirus and the Ionian
islands, as well. Among them, were the Italians, who kept a colony at Preveza,
with a catholic church built in 1568, which is rescued until nowadays.
The Juice colony was also important, with a school and synagogue,
at the place, where the O.T.E. office is located today.
This text (extract) is cited July 2003 from the Municipality
of Preveza tourist pamphlet.
VOUCHETION (Ancient city) PREVEZA
A few kilometres away from Louros,
over a picturesque rich in vegetation hill, is the ruins of the Rogon fortress.
A very beautiful castle, it surrounded the city of Rogon - of the Roman and Byzantine
era. The relics of the Evangelist Loukas were kept in that city from 1204 to 1453,
when they were carried to Smaderevo - a Serbian city.
The city and the castle of Rogon was desolated from 1449 (when conquered
by Turks) until 1690. It is the same site where the ancient city of Bouchetion
- continuity of which Rogon was around 8th-9th century A.C. On the NW side of
the ancient acropolis of the fortress, a holy church of the Assumption of the
Virgin Mary is preserved - from the 17th century. This is the last monument of
the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine period of the settlement, which formed as well
the headquarters of Bishopric (which was later united with the Bishopric of Kozilis).
Kozili was a small Byzantine city near Nikopolis
(in the area of N. Samsous).
Near the city the Kozili
Monastery was founded in 774 A.C. The bishop of Kozili and Rogon, (1820-26)
was very famous who during the siege of Mesologi
while defending it heroically, his comrades and he were exploded at the 12th of
October 1826.
(text: LAZAROS SINESIOS)
This text (extract) is cited July 2003 from the Prefecture
of Preveza tourist pamphlet.
PANDOSIA (Ancient city) THESPROTIA
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