Church of Agia Theodora

Agia Theodora is the parish church most associated with the saint who is also the patron of Arta. The current building, dating from the thirteenth century, is small and intimate after the bulk of the Parigoritissa — a three-aisled basilica with a richly decorated west facade and remains of frescoes inside.

The reason to make the short walk uphill from the main square is the tomb. The white marble sarcophagus of Saint Theodora, set into the north wall and showing the saint with her young son, is unusually personal for a Byzantine monument. Locals still leave candles and small offerings beside it.

things to do sight
A story
Agia Theodora was the wife of the Despot of Epirus and is buried inside the church she helped build. Her sarcophagus, carved with a relief showing Theodora and her young son, is set into the north wall — one of the very rare medieval Byzantine tombs that still names and depicts the person inside it.