Newer years

At 1449, after the death of Karolos II Tocco, the Turks occupied Arta. The residents however managed to win enough privileges (religious, financial etc) from the conquerors, a fact that allowed them to continue their commercial activities. During the 15th century the population of the town was increased considerably, because many Jews, expelled by Italy, installed themselves there. The Jews gave important impulse to the commercial activities of the town and founded the second synagogue of Arta, Apouliani (Poulieza). The first synagogue Roma (Greca) had been founded in the old days, after, as it is known, the Jewish community of Arta is dated already from 12th century. During the Ottoman domination Arta was seat of a voevodas that was directly depended by the High Gate. At the same time however, the people of Arta of were paying taxes to Enetic Democracy, to which they paid each year 1.500 reals, so that they ensure the Enetic protection from the danger of robbers and pirates.

At the 17th century  (1660) the Greek Faculty was founded by the beaver fur merchant named Fil. Manolakis. This Faculty functioned in the grounds of church of Saint Vasileios, and created appreciable intellectual tradition. There, important schoolteachers taught, like Paisios Metaksas, Eygenios Giannoulis, Gerasimos Palladas and Swfronios Lihoudis.

Thanks to  the growth of trade towards Central Europe during 17th -18th century., the town being centre of transit trade, was reorganized economically and socially. In 1805 the administration of city passed in the jurisdiction of Ali Pasas of Ioannina and after his death returned to the control of High Gate.

During its many centuries history, Arta was visited by the rabbi Veniamin from Toudela of Spain (12th century), Kiriakos Agoniatis (15th century), the Turkish sightseer Evligia Tselempi (1670), J. Spon (1675), W. Leake (1805), Lord Byron (1809), Holland (1812) and Urguhart (1813), the banished emperor of France Napoleon III (1835-36) and lots of others, that gave us their impressions, as well as in detail descriptions about the city and its residents. Arta is mentioned by the sightseers as a pleasant town with two-floor houses, bloomed gardens and effervescent commercial movement.

During the Revolution of 1821, the town but mainly the mountainous region of Tzoumerka and Radovyzio had been the base of operations for many fighters. Ηοwever after the havoc of the Greeks and the friends of Greeks in the village Peta every effort for the predominance of revolution in the region ceased, and the region remained under Turkish possession. Arta won independence after the Berlin Treaty in 1881, and in 1883 the prefecture of the same name was created.

The town, capital of the prefecture of the same name, is today found at a distance of 335 kms from Athens. It is built at the left bank of river Arachthos and unfolds in the form of an ancient theatre on the foot of Peranthi hill. Its privileged position, the euphoria of its ground and the climate were the main reasons which gave to the town a continuous life, from the 9th century B.C. until today.

Arta has roughly 35.000 residents and is the administrative and commercial centre of the prefecture. The town had a great building activity during the last years, which unfortunately destroyed its traditional architecture form. During the last years however conscientious efforts are made so that its monuments are exploited and a more human character is given in the town.