Koronisia
The only inhabited island of the Ambracian Gulf, with fishermen, a lagoon and a small fortress, the Koulia.
- Location
- About 25 km from Arta, in the Ambracian Gulf
- Residents
- 134 (2021 census)
- Work
- Fishing and tourism
- Fortress
- The Koulia, circular, with two tall towers
- Patron saint
- Saint Onoufrios, 12 June
Koronisia is a village in the Ambracian Gulf, about 25 km from Arta, built on the small island of Pera Nisi, which together is known as Koronisia. It had 134 permanent residents in the 2021 census, down from 167 in 2011. Most people live from fishing and tourism.
The Koulia
In the southern part of the settlement stands the fortress of Koronisia, the Koulia, from the Turkish “kulla”, meaning tower. It has a circular plan with two tall towers and a raised entrance reached by a ramp. Its date is disputed: tradition attributes it to Ali Pasha in the early 19th century, others date it to around 1860, and one view holds it is much older and Venetian. Across the water, on the cape on the Preveza side, stands its “twin”, the castle of Laskara. The site occasionally hosts cultural events.
Saint Onoufrios
The island's patron is Saint Onoufrios, a monk who lived there; little is known about his life and his feast day is 12 June.
The gulf around it
The Ambracian Gulf covers about 654 km² and is an internationally protected wetland (Ramsar since 1975). Its lagoons attract pelicans and flamingos, and its waters hold grey mullet, sole, eel, the local large shrimp (gabari), as well as dolphins.
