Vonitsa Castle
Imposing castle on a hill of the Gulf of Ambracia, with four enclosures and a digital exhibition in the stone-built “House of Ali Pasha”.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Castle of Vonitsa is built on a hill on the southern side of the Gulf of Ambracia and gradually gained prominence already in the middle Byzantine period, thanks to its strategic position for maritime trade. For the same reason it was a field of contention for the rulers of the Despotate of Epirus, the Angevins, the Orsini and the Tocco.
After 1479 it came under Ottoman control and was later taken by the Venetians, who carried out the largest repairs and renovations; in 1798 the master of the castle became Ali Pasha of Ioannina. The castle is imposing and well preserved, with four enclosures, of which the fourth, at the highest point of the hill, takes the form of an acropolis, while towers of various types and sizes, built in different periods, strengthened its defence.
The stone-built “House of Ali Pasha”, which housed the Albanian garrison, today accommodates a digital exhibition on the history of the castle.
Highlights
- Four enclosures, the last in the form of an acropolis
- Digital exhibition in the “House of Ali Pasha”
- View over the Gulf of Ambracia
Permanent exhibition
- Ψηφιακή έκθεση Κάστρου Βόνιτσας – Digital presentation of the castle’s history in the stone-built “House of Ali Pasha”, the quarters of the Albanian garrison.
- Operated by
- Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Αιτωλοακαρνανίας και Λευκάδας
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3 |
Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 November to 31 March.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The castle is 5 minutes on foot from the breakwater and from the centre of Vonitsa. By car it is 28 minutes from Preveza and from the city of Lefkada, and 35 minutes from Amfilochia.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The site has toilets and a car park.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
