Nikopolis
Most travelers to Greece focus on the ancient world of myths and classical temples, but few know about Nikopolis—a Roman city founded not by legend but by victory. Located just north of Preveza, near the Ionian coast, Nikopolis was established by Emperor Augustus to commemorate his triumph over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE.
This is a city born not of gradual development, but of imperial will—planned, built, and filled with Roman ambition. Today, its sprawling ruins offer a rare look into Roman urban life on Greek soil.
A City Built on Triumph
The name Nikopolis means “City of Victory.” Augustus founded it as a symbolic and literal monument to his decisive win at Actium, a naval battle that changed the course of Roman—and world—history. Antony and Cleopatra’s defeat marked the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire under Augustus.
Rather than simply commemorate the event with a statue or shrine, Augustus did something bolder: he built an entirely new city, complete with temples, arenas, streets, and settlements. He then resettled people from surrounding towns to populate it—effectively creating a new cultural and political center in the region.
Nikopolis wasn’t just propaganda—it was infrastructure. A symbol you could live in.
The Layout and Scope of the City
The city was massive by ancient standards. It stretched for several kilometers and included:
A Roman forum (agora) with temples and administrative buildings.
A nymphaeum, or monumental fountain complex.
An odeon, a small covered theater.
A large amphitheater, capable of holding thousands for gladiator games.
Thermae, or Roman baths, with elaborate heating and water systems.
City walls and gates, some of which still stand tall today.
Walking through the site, it’s clear that Nikopolis was designed with Roman ideals of order, spectacle, and civic pride. Straight streets, massive public buildings, and well-planned neighborhoods point to its origin as a planned imperial city.
The Monument of Augustus
Outside the city, on a hill overlooking the site of the naval battle, Augustus built a trophy monument—a massive structure adorned with rams (the bronze battering heads of captured enemy ships) and inscriptions.
Though the rams are long gone, the ruins of the victory monument remain and offer sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. Standing there, you can imagine the moment: Augustus dedicating the site, ships burning in the bay below, and the foundation of empire being laid not just in Rome—but in Greece.
The Christian Transition
Nikopolis remained significant well into the early Christian era. It became a major bishopric, and several large early basilicas were built between the 4th and 6th centuries CE.
One of the most important is the Basilica of Doumetios, with remnants of fine mosaics, baptisteries, and walls that show the shift from Roman to Byzantine architecture. This transition makes Nikopolis especially valuable—it spans pagan, imperial, and Christian layers of Greek history.
Eventually, the city was abandoned in the 10th century, its stones repurposed, its streets reclaimed by vegetation. But what remains is impressive, and more is still being uncovered.
Nikopolis Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Nikopolis, located just outside Preveza, houses many of the site’s most important finds. These include:
Marble statues and busts from Roman villas.
Architectural fragments from temples and baths.
Inscriptions documenting the city’s administrative life.
Artifacts from daily life: pottery, coins, tools.
It’s a compact but rich museum that adds essential context to the open-air ruins nearby.
Visiting Nikopolis Today
Nikopolis is about 10 minutes from Preveza and well-signed off the main roads. The site is large, quiet, and often empty—a dream for travelers who prefer exploring ruins without crowds.
Paths are uneven in places, and the area gets hot in summer, so bring water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. There’s limited shade, but plenty of space to roam.
It’s ideal for combining with a coastal trip—Preveza, Parga, and the beaches of the Ionian Sea are nearby.
Why Nikopolis Matters
This city is a rare example of Rome’s direct imprint on Greek soil—not through conquest, but through celebration. It’s a reminder that Greece’s ancient story didn’t stop at the classical period. The Roman era shaped the region just as deeply, and Nikopolis was at its center.
It also tells a bigger story: of how empires use architecture to legitimize power, how cities can be born from battles, and how those cities can outlive the politics that created them.
Final Thoughts
Nikopolis is for travelers who want the scale of Rome with the soul of Greece. It’s layered, expansive, and deeply symbolic—an open-air archive of one of history’s turning points.
Visit it not just for ruins, but for a moment in time when history shifted, and the world as we know it began to take shape.
