The seven arches of the Bridge of Árta give the city a distinctive historical landmark: the structure is 142 metres long and 3.75 metres wide. At the same time, Árta’s history extends well beyond the bridge. Ancient Ambrakia lies beneath the modern city, and traces from other periods shape the cultural perspective on the place.
The bridge and the city’s archaeological history
The Bridge of Árta is 142 metres long, 3.75 metres wide and consists of seven arches. In the wider Arta destination, the Historic Bridge took its present form between 1602 and 1606. The ancient city of Ambrakia lies beneath the modern city of Árta and occupies half of its area. The bridge and the archaeological past thus represent two distinct yet locally connected ways of exploring the city’s history.
The Archaeological Museum of Árta opened in 2009 and is located near the Arachthos River and the historic bridge. Its permanent exhibition is divided into sections on public life, burial customs and private life. These themes add a social perspective to Ambrakia, in addition to its location beneath the modern city.
A legend is also part of the story surrounding the bridge’s construction: according to the tale, the chief builder’s wife was bewitched so that the bridge could be built on solid ground. The Plane Tree of Ali Pasha stands beside the historic bridge and has been designated a protected natural monument since 1976.
Remembrance, a walking tour and relaxation
The Jewish Martyrs Memorial features a seven-branched menorah in bas-relief on its main face. Its semicircular arms are depicted as wreaths. In recent years, the Municipality of Árta, with the support of the music and literature association «Ο Σκουφάς», has organised multi-day commemorative events for the victims of the Holocaust.
A guided walking tour of Árta offers an introduction to the city’s history from antiquity to the present day. The tour provides a chronological framework for exploring the city’s archaeological and historical themes together.
Riverside Park is designed as a recreational park. It offers residents a chance to take a break from the noise and routine of city life. Alongside the historic sites, it represents another aspect of urban life: the park is dedicated to recreation, while the bridge, museum and memorial each focus on their own historical and cultural themes.
More to explore in the wider Arta destination
Nature is also part of the wider Arta destination. Peranthi Hill is Arta’s urban forest and is ideal for walking, running, cycling and exploring. The rare and endangered Dalmatian pelican lives at Tsoukalio Lagoon near Koronisia. The colony is estimated at approximately 35 pairs; the number may vary seasonally.
The Salaora Information Centre offers another perspective on the landscape: it features an exhibition on the human and natural environment of the Amvrakikos Gulf, a relief map of the region, live images from the pelican colony and audiovisual information for visitors. These themes complement Árta’s urban focus with the natural and landscape features of the wider destination.
If you want to focus on the city, with its bridge, archaeological history, museum and memorial site, search for Árta. If you would also like to include Peranthi or the lagoon landscape, consider the wider Arta destination.
Discover more destinations: Katarraktis, Rodavgi, Theodoriana, Kypseli, Agnanta, Anatolí, Koronisia, Mytikas
View the wider travel guide: Arta.
