Pargis Square is located a short distance from the central square of Ioannina and is another landmark of the city’s urban fabric, with a history that reflects the various phases of its development.
During the period of Ottoman rule, the area was known as Emir Meydan (“Emir’s Square”) and was part of a Muslim quarter, where a mosque and cemetery had existed since the late 15th or early 16th century. After the liberation of Ioannina, these elements were removed, marking the area’s transition into a new era.
For a time, the square was used as a horse market, reflecting the commercial activity of the era, before gradually taking on its current form and function. The name “Pargis Square” was established later, though it is worth noting that between 1959 and 1965 it was renamed Dwight D. Eisenhower Square, a name that was temporarily reinstated during the dictatorship.
Today, Pargis Square is a vibrant hub of the city, where history coexists with modern daily life, serving as a passageway and connection point to the commercial and administrative center of Ioannina.
