Sights
Starting from the Holy Church of Agios Vasilios and the minaret of the area, to the exceptional Castle and the traditional settlement of Skala.
Holy Church of Saint Vasileios
The holy church adorns the community and strengthens the Christian feeling of the whole surrounding area. The priest of the area has been working uninterruptedly for the last few years.
The Minaret of Margaret
The castle of Margariti
On the south side of Margariti, there is a castle on a hill that dominates the area. It is an Ottoman castle, in a place where a Byzantine fortress used to exist, which was briefly occupied by the Venetians after a battle that left a lasting impression. The castle was begun by the Turks in 1549, on the ruins of a pre-existing ancient fortress, and was destroyed by the Venetians in 1571.
The capture of the fortress was important for the Venetians and Orsini ordered the creation of a painting on the battle. The painting was commissioned to the Greek Αντώνιο Βασιλάκη εκ Μήλου (Antonio Vassilacchiwho was present at the battle. Later, between 1620 and 1650, a copy was made by Pietro Belloti. The painting is 2.75 m high and 3.35 m wide and is located in the Doge's Palace of Venice on the second floorSala dello ScrutinioA copy of the painting was acquired by the community of Margaritiou in 1958, which survives to this day.
The castle must have been radically reconstructed about a century after its construction, in the second half of the 17th or early 18th century. In this phase, the interior, courtyards and ramparts must have been filled in and the gate moved.
Το Castle of Margariti,in the period of Ali pasa, in 1818, it was repaired by the Turks and used as a base against Parga. Later it served as a prison. The prison of Margariti Castle, was known for the harsh living conditions of the prisoners and was referred to as "Kuchuro Prisons".
Until 1911, the fortress of Margaritios served as a barracks for the Turkish army, the headquarters of the military governor of the region and as a prison for the barbarians and revolutionary Greeks. (Wikipedia)
Settlement Skala
The preserved settlement of Skala was an area of wealthy people of the time, with a multitude of mansions with large orchards and stone arches. In this way they indicated the wealth of their owners. Typical examples of mansions are: the mansion of the Roibei family, the mansion of Omer-Him and the mansion of Mukhti. The former 'mahalas' is open to visitors, approached by road with signs guiding the route.
Water Tap - The Baxes of Arapi
On the road that connects Margariti with Parga, the well-known fountain called "Baxes of Arapis", or Rapi as some people claim, dominates. Functional to this day, it offers its gurgling water. If one passes by there, it is mandatory to make a stop, to enjoy the wonderful shade of the spot.
