Nikopolis

Nikopolis is an ancient ruined city about 8 kilometres north of Preveza in north-western Greece, on the narrow isthmus between the Ambracian Gulf and the Ionian Sea. Octavian, the future Emperor Augustus, founded it in 29 BC after his naval victory at Actium (31 BC) and named it the “City of Victory”. From the early 2nd century AD it was the capital of the Roman province of Epirus.

You can see parts of the city walls, the theatre with 77 rows of seats, the odeon, a nymphaeum, baths, early Christian basilicas and the victory monument of Augustus. The walls visible today date from the time of Justinian and enclosed only about one sixth of the original city, which covered some 180 hectares. The Archaeological Museum of Nikopolis, opened in 2009, stands nearby and explains the Roman and early Christian periods. The site is extensive, so allow plenty of time; ask locally for current opening hours.