Arta, Greece

Arta Άρτα
The historic Bridge of Arta.
Arta
Location within the region
Coordinates: 39°9′N 20°59′E / 39.150°N 20.983°E / 39.150; 20.983Coordinates: 39°9′N 20°59′E / 39.150°N 20.983°E / 39.150; 20.983
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Epirus
Regional unit	Arta
Government
• Mayor	Ioannis Papalexis
Area
• Municipality	457.2 km2 (176.5 sq mi)
• Municipal unit	47.973 km2 (18.522 sq mi)
Elevation	30 m (100 ft)
Population (2011)
• Municipality	43,166
• Municipality density	94/km2 (240/sq mi)
• Municipal unit	27,330
• Municipal unit density	570/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Community
• Population	24,427 (2011)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	471 00
Area code(s)	26810
Vehicle registration	ΑΤ
Website	www.arta.gr

Arta (Greek: Άρτα) is a city in northwestern Greece, capital of the regional unit of Arta, which is part of Epirus region. The city was known in ancient times as Ambracia (Ancient Greek: Ἀμβρακία). Arta is known for the medieval bridge over the Arachthos River. Arta is also known for its ancient sites from the era of Pyrrhus of Epirus and its well-preserved 13th-century castle. Arta's Byzantine history is reflected in its many Byzantine churches; perhaps the best known is the Panagia Paregoretissa (Mother of God the Consoling), built about 1290 by Despot Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas. The city is the seat of the Technological Educational Institute of Epirus.

The first settlement in the area of the modern city dates to the 9th century B.C. Ambracia was founded as a Corinthian colony in the 7th century B.C.

In 295 BC Pyrrhus of Epirus, king of the Molossians, transferred the capital of his kingdom to Ambracia, which he used as a base from which he attacked the Romans. Pyrrhus managed to achieve great but costly victories against the Romans, hence the phrase "Pyrrhic victory" which refers to an exchange at the Battle of Asculum. In 146 BC, Ambracia became part of the Roman Republic.