At the center of the contemporary city of Arta was located the most important sanctuary of ancient Ambracia, dedicated to Apollo Pythios Soter (Saviour). The temple is peripteral, in Doric order (measuring 20.75 x 44 m.), with a pronaos and a longitudinal cella, in the interior of which is preserved the foundation of the pedestal supporting the cult statue or the symbol of the god worshipped. The temple is preserved up to the euthenteria level, because it was used as a quarry in the Early Christian period.
The monument is dated to ca. 500 BC. The temple was discovered in 1964 and was then excavated for the first time by J. Vocotopoulou. The excavation was continued in 1966 and 1968 and completed in 1975-1977.
Under the integrated in NSRF project "Enhancement - Unification of the Archaeological Sites of Ancient Amvrakia: Western Necropolis - Temple of Apollo - Small Theatre", the 33rd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities implements upgrading works, that are expected to create a well organised network of archaeological sites in the city of Arta.
