Ambracian Gulf

The Ambracian Gulf cuts deeply into northwestern Greece from the Ionian Sea. About 40 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide, it is among the country’s largest enclosed gulfs. Preveza, Amphilochia and Vonitsa stand on its shores, while the ancient city of Ambracia gave the water its name. Its only broad approach narrows to a channel about 700 metres wide between Aktio on the south and Preveza on the north.

The Louros and Arachthos rivers give the gulf unusually fresh water for a sea inlet. It is shallow, warmer and less salty than the open Ionian, with a current running outward through the entrance. Marshes and estuary habitats occupy much of the northern shore. Grey mullet, sole and eel live in the water, the local gabari shrimp is well known, and birds, sea turtles and dolphins frequent the lagoons and surrounding waters.

The narrow entrance made the gulf strategically important. Nearby waters were the setting of the Battle of Actium, where Augustus defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra. In 1538 Hayreddin Barbarossa led the Ottoman fleet against Andrea Doria’s Holy League at the Battle of Preveza. Ancient ruins at Nicopolis, Argos Ippatum, Limnaea, Preveza and Olpae line the shores.