Church of the Virgin Mary Parigoritissa

About the museum

Panagia Parigoritissa is one of the most important monuments of the Despotate of Epirus and holds a special place in the history of Byzantine architecture. Dedicated to the Annunciation of the Theotokos, it was the katholikon (main church) of a monastery, of which 16 cells and the refectory still survive. It took its present form at the end of the 13th century on the initiative of Despot Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas, his wife Anna Palaiologina and their son Thomas, whose names are recorded in an inscription inside the church.

The church combines two architectural types: five tall apses on the east side and five domes on the roof, corresponding to the main church and to the side chapels of the Taxiarchs and of Saint John. The way the central dome is supported, which makes it appear to float, has not been used in any other Byzantine monument. The mosaic of the Pantokrator and the prophets from the end of the 13th century survives in the dome, while the walls bear frescoes from the 15th, 17th and 19th centuries.

The refectory building of the monastery houses a collection of Byzantine sculptures, the Glyptothiki tis Parigoritissas.

Highlights

• Five domes and five apses, a monument of the Despotate of Epirus
• Mosaic of the Pantokrator and the prophets in the central dome
• Frescoes from the 15th, 17th and 19th centuries
• Collection of Byzantine sculptures in the monastery’s refectory building
• Surviving cells of the former monastery

Permanent exhibition

• Συλλογή βυζαντινών γλυπτών – The refectory building of the monastery houses a collection of Byzantine sculptures.

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Άρτας

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and every first and third Sunday from 1 November to 31 March.

The ticket covers the church and the collection of Byzantine sculptures.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is described as accessible.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The church is about a 7-minute walk from the centre of Arta (Plateia Ethnikis Antistaseos) and 17 minutes from the historic bridge.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Facilities include toilets and Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.