Ionian Sea. Preveza
December 5, 2007
The Preveza port of entry lies on the Greek mainland guarding the gulf of Amvrakia. Leading lights will guide your way into the 
gulf. On the left side of the channel a dense forest and the Fort St. George can be seen. The channel is not likely to live up to the “official” depth of 8 meters - due to silting 6 meters and a strong cross-current is mentioned.
The city is famous for:
Nikopolis – Ancient Nikopolis is located on the peninsula of Preveza, in SW Epirus and covers an area of 900 hectares. It was founded by Octavianus, after the naval battle of Actium, in 31 B.C. The inhabitants of the neighbouring cities of Epirus, Leucas, and Acarnania were then forced to settle in this area. The city enjoyed special political and financial privileges, had its own mint and every four years celebrated the Actia, festivals including athletic, musical and racing contests. Many intellectuals of the period, such as Epictetus (A.D. 89) gathered in Nikopolis. The city continued to be inhabited during the Byzantine period. Some of the Roman monuments of the site (dated to 1st-4th centuries A.D.) have been restored: the Odeum (in 1969-1972), the north thermae (in 1973-1974), the Nymphaeum (in 1975), the large theatre, the Roman wall and the villa of Manius Antoninus which contained remarkable mosaic floors (in 1978-1984).
The Odeum. It lies on the west side of the Early Christian wall and contains the cavea (auditorium), the orchestra and the scene. Since the ground is not naturally sloping the cavea is supported by three semi-circular stoas. It was constructed in the 1st century A.D. and remained in use until the second half of the 3rd century A.D.
The north Thermae (Bedenia). Roman public building located to the north of the Roman walls. It includes curvilinear and rectangular spaces which are interconnected with many openings and are enriched with semi-circular niches and rows of pillars.
The monument of Augustus. It was erected by Octavianus Augustus in 31 B.C., after his victory at the battle of Actium and was dedicated to Ares (Mars), Poseidon and Apollo of Actium. It has a stone, Π-shaped podium, on which the bronze beaks from Antonius’ ships were attached. The rest of the trophies from the battle were housed in a stoa above the podium, together with the sculpture.
Necropolis / Necromandio – or "Oracle of the death from Acheronta"45 km north from the city of Preveza, above the village Mesopótamo you find the archaeological site.
From the hill you look down directly to the river Acheron. About meaning of the old Greeks it was the frontier to subterranean Hades. Because of this there was built an Oracle for inhabitants to speak with their dead persons.
But it was very strange.
First they had to pray and clean themselves, physical and psychical. There was much smoke and in the rooms between was smoked meat. Then the pilgrim throw a stone over his left shoulder and washed his hands.
Now cleaned and high he has to go through the labyrinth. Then he was in oracle room and gave his presents, to see the ghosts.
Many store rooms for the gifts were there. It was also found a machine to bring shadows to the wall.
It was burned by the Romans 167 a. C. In 18th century there was built the little church St. John the Baptist.
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