ARE YOU ON VACATIONS IN LEFKADA? THEN DON’T MISS TO VISIT ANCIENT NICOPOLIS
Do you like excursions to archeological sites during your holidays in Greece. Then go back in time on your vacations in Lefkada and visit ancient Nicopolis. This city was founded in 29 BC by Caesar Augustus (Octavian) in commemoration of his victory in 31 BC at the battle of Actium very close to Lefkada. Today, it’s Aktion and its the International Airport of Preveza.
The Battle of Actium on 2nd of September in 31 BC was a naval conflict between two big fleets. The Octavian’s Roman fleet commanded by admiral Agrippa and the Mark Antony’s Roman fleet supported by Egyptian ships of Queen Cleopatra of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Octavian’s victory made him become Augustus Caesar, the “first citizen” of Rome. Because of this victory, Augustus took the total control of Mediterranean. After this battle and the suicides of Antony and Cleopatra, Egypt became a Roman province. Then, the Romans had the absolute right to call the whole Mediterranean as “Mare Nostrum”, in other words, our sea.
VISIT ANCIENT NICOPOLIS AND ITS MUSEUM IN PREVEZA
When the visitors see the impressive ruins of ancient Nicopolis in reality they become time travellers. It takes only a simple walk among the city’s monuments to go back in ancient Romans’ time. Besides, Nicopolis was a city full of life as it was the capital city of Roman province of Epirus. Now except the Acropolis, the visitor has the chance to see very interesting sites in the ancient city.
The Actium monument of August in commemoration of his victory is one of them. Furthermore, the theater and an Odeon, (ancient building for music events) worth also a visit. Also, some large sections of the original walls and an ancient aqueduct (a water piping bridge) are really impressive. Moreover, the nymphaeum (a big ancient fountain) and the baths (thermae) attract the visitor’s eye as well. Of course, don’t miss the Roman villa of Antoninus with an exceptional mosaic. Finally, the stadium which was the location of the famous Actian Games in commemoration of the Octavian’s victory.
HOW TO VISIT ANCIENT NICOPOLIS
Now the new city, Preveza, is situated 7 km south from ancient Nicopolis. The Nicopolis museum with many other exhibits of the ancient city, is at the north entrance of Preveza. Of course the visitors can visit all sites during the week except Mondays. All sites close at 8 pm and the tickets cost 8 euro for adults. Finally, is very easy to visit ancient Nicopolis during your holidays as it takes only half an hour by car from Lefkada’s city. After all, the way to the site is very interesting as you drive in the underwater tunnel of the Aktio-Preveza canal.
