Built on top of a hill on the southern side of the Ambracian Gulf, the Castle of Vonitsa slowly started becoming more and more important from the Middle Byzantine period onward, thanks to its strategically significant location, which favored maritime trade.
This was the reason the Castle became a point of contention among rulers of the Despotate of Epirus, the Angevins, the Orsini and the Tocco families throughout its long history. After 1479, it eventually came under Ottoman rule and was later captured by the Venetians, who left their mark through a series of repairs and renovations. In 1798, the Castle of Vonitsa passed into the hands of Ali Pasha of Ioannina.
Imposing and well preserved, the Castle is reinforced by four concentric enclosure walls. The fourth wall forms an acropolis at the top of the hill. Towers of various shapes and sizes, built during different time periods, strengthened the Castle’s defences. Today, the so-called stone-built “House of Ali Pasha” (which hosted the Albanian garrison) is home to a digital exhibition that narrates the history of the Castle.
Vonitsa, 30002
5 minutes from the Vonitsa waterfront
5 minutes from the centre of Vonitsa
28 minutes from Preveza
28 minutes from the town of Lefkas
35 minutes from Amfilochia
April 1 – August 31
Daily: 08:00 – 20:00
Tuesday: Closed
September 1 – 15
Daily: 08:00 – 19:30
Tuesday: Closed
September 16 – 30
Daily: 08:00 – 19:00
Tuesday: Closed
October 1 – 15
Daily: 08:00 – 18:30
Tuesday: Closed
October 16 – 31
Daily: 08:00 – 18:00
Tuesday: Closed
November 1 – March 31
Mon: 08:30 – 15:30
Tue: Closed
Wed: 08:30 – 15:30
Thu: 08:30 – 15:30
Fri: 08:30 – 15:30
Sat: 08:30 – 15:30
Sun: 08:30 – 15:30
Full: €5.00
Reduced: €3.00
Vonitsa Castle
Τ: +30 6981321598
Ephorate of Antiquities of Aetolia-Acarnania and Lefkada
Τ: +30 26310 55654
Ε: efaait@culture.gr