Before the castle was constructed, the residents of Parga always tried to protect their city from the raiders because it was exposed to the sea. They built the first fortifications with the help of the Normans. In 1452 the place was occupied by Hadji Bey but the residents of Parga managed to re-conquer it in 1454. In 1537 Barbarossa demolished the existing fortress and city. The castle was rebuilt with the help of the Venetians, but before its completion it was destroyed again by the Turks. In 1792, the Venetians built it again for the third and last time and despite the attacks of Ali Pasha, the citadel remained impregnable until 1819.
The Venetians created the perfect defense plan which along with the good fortification (plus eight exterior towers) made the castle invincible. Inside the citadel there were 400 homes organized in a way that only took a little space and were completely protected from the side of the sea. The fountain "Kremasma" supplied both the castle and the houses with water. Also, the castle used Valtos and Pogonia bays to receive its supplies.
When Parga was sold to the Turks in 1819, Ali fortified the castle even further and made a harem and a hammam on top of it, radically changing the way the place looked. The castle of Parga was impregnable during the administration of Ali Pasha. In this castle the people of Parga and Souli gave heroic battles and kept their freedom for centuries.
On the arched gate you can still see the winged lion of St. Mark, the name "ANTONIO CERVASS 1764», emblems of Ali Pasha, two-headed eagles and other inscriptions. The things that render the castle invincible are its vaulted passageways, artillery halls, supply tunnels, bastions with gun lockers, barracks, prisons, warehouses and two forts in the last line of defense. They even say there is a hidden passage to the sea.
Today the castle is illuminated and it is open to the public to visit. Two new buildings have been constructed in the central area and they house theatrical performances and exhibitions. There is also a bar-cafeteria and a photography exhibition hall. The castle is open from early morning till late evening.
The castle of Parga can be reached through the narrow streets and steps from the port of Parga and there is a paved road that leads to Valtos Beach.
