Kastri (ancient Pandosia)

Pandosia was the most important colony of the Heleioi in Cassopaea (region bordered by the Amvrakikos bay, the Ionian Sea and the rivers Acheron and Louros) and was established in the 7th century BC. The ancient settlement is located on the hill Kastri, which dominates the plain of Acheron, at the site where today is the homonymous village, between Kanalaki and the Nekromanteio.

Pandosia was built on a naturally fortified position, protected by the river Acheron (northern side) and the lake Acherousia (southern side). The city was fortified by walls dating back to the first half of the 4th century BC. The perimeter of the walls of the classic period is 1,460 m and encloses an area of 130,000 m2. It was strengthened by 22 rectangular towers. Two gates are preserved on the eastern side, and a probable third one to the northwest.

Philippos II, king of Macedonia, seized Pandosia and offered it (along with the other Heleian colonies of Epirus) to the Epirotes, in 343/2 BC. With the settlement of the nearby Thesprotoi, the town was expanded to the eastern slopes and was enclosed by a new polygonal wall, of which parts are today preserved on the northern and northeastern side.

The town was destroyed by the Romans in 167 BC; the latter allowed later the reconstruction of a part of the walls on the top of the hill (167 - 148 BC). The decline of the settlement was probably due to the establishment of Nikopolis and the settlement of the nearby habitants in it.