The Battle of Actium in 31 BC stands as a pivotal moment in both ancient world history, ushering in the era of Pax Romana, and local history, as it paved the way for the establishment of Nicopolis.
Here, you will have the chance to become acquainted with the key war heroes, the strategic conduct, and the outcomes of this momentous naval engagement.
Τhis is where the story of Nicopolis and the permanent exhibition begin …

Explore the urban layout, grand public structures, engineering feats, and infrastructure that elevated Nicopolis to the status of a distinguished urban hub within the Roman Empire.

Watch a short video that narrates the city’s history and highlights its significant monuments, all marked on the topographic wall map. On your left, you’ll encounter marble architectural fragments and sculptures from impressive public edifices.

Following the 3rd century AD, as Christianity gained prominence and faced persistent barbarian incursions, the city’s dimensions reduced to roughly one-fifth of its initial expanse, necessitating the erection of robust new fortifications.

Observe the construction technique employed and take note of the incorporation of Roman marble sculptures as building materials in the fresh fortifications. Explore the striking podium adorned with a relief depicting the Battle of the Amazons, which has since been replaced by a mosaic portrayal of Saints.

Positioned strategically between the Ionian Sea and the Ambracian Gulf, Nicopolis would swiftly establish itself as a pivotal administrative, economic, and commercial hub within the Western Greek region of the Roman Empire.

Discover the city’s maritime connections, its three nearby ports, and its trade interactions with the larger Mediterranean ports. Witness the“recreation” of a merchant vessel adorned with impressive amphorae that once transported essential commodities.

Welcome to the section dedicated to unveiling the everyday existence of Nicopolis’ inhabitants, featuring the architectural designs and interior decor of their homes.

Take a moment to appreciate the exhibit resting upon the marble table, which culminates in a lion’s paw. Observe the diversity in the form and composition of household tools, the opulence of dining and drinking vessels, and don’t miss the remarkable bronze gem, the statuette of a dying Gaul raising his right hand in supplication.

In the final stop of the recommended tour, you find yourself in a section devoted to the funerary traditions and arrangement of Nicopolis’ five cemeteries.

Here, you can behold opulent marble sarcophagi, some imported from Attica, while others are the work of local craftsmen. They are organized in a P-shaped formation, reminiscent of their initial placement within mausoleums – grand structures serving as the final resting places for the city’s elite families.