Agios Spiridon: Village history near Arta

Agios Spiridon is a village in the Arta area, located 18 meters above sea level. As a travel destination, it offers a history that can be traced through specific buildings: the church associated with the village’s current name and the surviving Ottoman Kotseki. Nearby, Rogoi Castle adds a long history, spanning from ancient fortifications to the early modern period, to these local connections.

The church and the village name

The Church of Agios Spyridon gave the village its current name. It was built between 1812 and 1813 on the ruins of the Church of Agios Markos. This links two phases of construction at the same site: the older church, whose ruins provided the foundation for the later building, and the structure dating from the early 19th century. The connection between the church’s name and the village’s name brings the village’s history to life through a specific building. At the same time, the older Church of Agios Markos can be distinguished from the later-built Church of Agios Spyridon.

Rogoi Castle: fortifications from several periods

Rogoi Castle stands on a hill between Nea Kerassounta and Petra, near Agios Spiridon. It was built on the ruins of the ancient city of Vouchetio, a colony of the Eleans. The first fortifications of the acropolis of Rogoi were built in the 5th century BC. In the 3rd century AD, the Romans strengthened and extended the walls. These details describe different stages in the construction history: the early fortifications were followed centuries later by Roman work on the walls. At the end of the 17th century, the medieval city of Rogoi was completely destroyed by the Ottomans during the Venetian–Ottoman War. This timeline helps distinguish the ancient, Roman, and medieval connections of the castle site.

The Monastery of the Theotokos is also located within the castle grounds. Large stone blocks can be seen in the surviving structure, a visible feature of the site. Together with its eventful history, they give a tangible impression of the architectural and historical layers associated with Rogoi. For your visit, it is advisable to check access to the historic buildings in advance.

Another historic building in the village

The Ottoman Kotseki has been preserved in Agios Spiridon itself. It is apparently considered an extension of the residence of Kethüda Bey of Ali Pasha. The Kotseki adds an Ottoman building in the village to Rogoi’s ancient and medieval connections. This brings two different historical perspectives together: the castle site nearby and a distinct architectural testament within the village.

Arta: further historical perspectives

Arta has its own cultural context, with additional buildings and collections. The Historic Bridge of Arta acquired its present form between 1602 and 1606. It is 142 meters long and 3.75 meters wide. The Archaeological Museum of Arta opened in 2009 near the Arachthos River and the Historic Bridge. Its permanent exhibition is divided into the themes of public life, funerary customs, and private life. On July 16, 2024, the museum received certification as a certified museum, making it one of the first fully modernized state museums in Greece. The bridge and the museum offer different ways to explore Arta’s history: one through the dimensions and design of a historic structure, the other through the organization of an archaeological permanent exhibition.

Discover more destinations: Theodoriana, Kostakii, Lákka, Koronisia, Mytikas, Melissourgoi, Athamanio, Mesopirgos

For the main travel overview: Arta.