Parga, The Princess of Epirus, in Greece
by Alexios Ntounas
Title
Parga, The Princess of Epirus, in Greece
Artist
Alexios Ntounas
Medium
Photograph
Description
Parga is a seaside town located in the northwestern part of the regional unit of Preveza in Epirus, northwestern Greece. It has a long history through the centuries. That is why she is rightly called "The Princess of Epirus''. It is overlooking the Ionian Sea. It is built amphitheatrically inside a green picturesque cove overlooking the lush island of Panagia, or Lady's Island, which stands haughtily in the calm waters of the port.
Above it, the small church of Panagia with the characteristic all-white bell tower, as well as parts of a castle built by the French conquerors in 1808 in order to control the small ships in the port, which were not visible from the main castle. As for the castle of Parga, or the old Venetian fortress, it is the trademark of both Parga and the wider area. It is visible from everywhere, since it is built at the entrance of the port, while one can get there, through the beautiful cobbled streets of the city with countless shops and restaurants. It was first built by the Normans in the late 14th century, and every time a conqueror occupied it, it destroyed it and rebuilt it.
What survives today is the fortress built in 1572 by the Venetians, but with many additions by Ali Pasha, who in 1819 bought the whole of Parga by treaty for 150,000 pounds from the English conquerors. The areas of the castle were radically remodeled, while at the arched entrance gate, the winged lion of St. Mark, emblems of Ali Pasha, double-headed eagles and related inscriptions can be seen on the wall. The same year that Parga passed into the hands of the Turks, the Parginians, in their attempt not to be enslaved, fled en masse to Corfu. About 4,000 Parginians were forced to flee their homeland, after previously, on Good Friday, they excavated the patriarchal tombs and gathered the bones of their ancestors and burned them in the market square so as not to be desecrated by the Albanians who later settled in the area, taking ash with them. Every year, on the 15th of August, cultural events take place, the so-called Parginas, with a religious and historical character. On the day of the Virgin Mary, the return of the Parginians and their Holy Heirlooms to free Parga is represented, with a crowd gathering at the port, in a spectacular night full of fireworks and sparklers.
In this photo you can see a wonderful sunset with pink tones on the clouds reflected into the calm sea waters.
Uploaded
May 4th, 2021
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