Route 4 - Gulf of Patras & Corinth

Corinth
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Located on the crossroads between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese and between the Saronic Gulf and the Corinthian Gulf, just 84 km from Athens, Corinth was an important city in Greek, Hellenistic and Roman times. In 734 BC Corinthians founded the city of Syracuse, the most powerful Greek colony of the Mediterranean, which is located on the southeast corner of the island of Sicily, next to the Gulf of Syracuse beside the Ionian Sea. The influence of the Corinthians is obvious up until today since the city is notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture. The city of Corinth is filled with monuments, museums and historical sites:

• Ancient Corinthos was one of the most important city-states of ancient Greece. Today in the archaeological site, one can visit the Temple of Apollo; its seven remaining Doric columns stand in a prominent position overlooking the ancient Agora. The temple was built in 530 BC, consisting of 2 rooms, and originally had 15 Doric-order columns along its length and 6 along its width. The city market had a rectangular shape, housing a number of similarly laid-out stores, each divided into 2 rooms. Its front was consisted by a double row of columns, the outer Doric and inner Ionic. In the ancient Agora, one can also visit the shops where the Apostle Paul once stood, along with the ancient Council. Descending the steps of the ‘propylaia’ (front gates) will lead you to Lecheou street where you will encounter the Pirene Fountain, with its six cave-like chambers, and the Glauki fountain standing carved in the rock. In the archaeological site you will also have the chance to visit the Odeon, built in the 1st century AD; and the 18,000-seat theater built in the fifth century BC, and later converted by the Romans into an arena for animal fights. Finally, you can walk through the remnants of the gymnasium and Temple of Asclepius near the Lerna fountain. Above Ancient Corinthos lies the Castle of Akrocorinthos, the Acropolis of the ancient city, which is itself worth a visit.

• Temple of Poseidon. The Archaic temple was constructed during the seventh century BC but was unfortunately destroyed by fire in the fifth century BC. It was subsequently rebuilt according to a Doric peripteral plan, from local Corinthian limestone, but was destroyed again in 390 BC. Again rebuilt, it flourished until 146 BC when the Roman consul Mummius destroyed the city. In 44 AD it was again rebuilt, but took its final form including the courtyard and colonnades during the second century AD.

• The Ancient Theatre of Isthmia. Unfortunately, has not survived, its members having been harvested for the later construction of the medieval fortress located there. Only the foundations of the orchestra (stage), portions of the cavea (seating area) and the proscenium, and some scattered stones remain.

• The Palaemonio. A temple next to that of Poseidon, it was dedicated to Palaemon, a sea deity of the Roman era. The temple had a special courtyard, as well as pits for sacrifices.

• Stadium of Isthmia. The stadium used to be located south-east of the temple of Poseidon. Unearthed by excavations, the ancient stadium at one time featured a sixteen-lane running track. More recently, the stadium was rebuilt into the existing hollow of the previous stadium, with a length of approximately 181m.

• Corinth Canal. From ancient times, people have searched for an easier way to transfer ships from the Korinthian to the Saronic Gulf and vice versa. Created for this reason was the Diolkos, a paved road along which boats could be dragged across the isthmus. The Diolkos was constructed by the tyrant Periander of Korinthos, who had envisioned the opening of the canal. The opening of the canal had subsequently been attempted by Demetrios Poliorketes, Julius Caesar, Caligula, Nero, Herod Atticus, various Byzantines and Venetians, to no avail. The opening was re-launched by Kapodistrias but was again stopped due to lack of money. In 1881 the work of the excavation was undertaken by a Hungarian businessman, in exchange for a 99-year lease on the site, but who also abandoned the effort. The cutting was eventually completed thanks to the donation of Andreas Syngros. Over 10 years the Greeks finally managed to dig the canal, which opened on 25 July 1893. About 15,000 ships pass through the Canal of Korinthos every year.

• Lighthouse Melagkavi. Located in the place of Heraion, or alternatively Melagkavi, on the bay where lie the islands of Alkyonides. Built in 1897, and reconstructed in 1947, it has a T-shape, and its construction is a simple pre-industrial architecture of stone.

• The Environmental Museum of Stymfalia is a museum that aims to highlight the intertwined relationship between man and nature. Displays characteristics of nature at Stymfalia and how these affect their residents.

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Places of interest near Corinth
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Itea (Greek: Ιτέα meaning willow), is a town and a former municipality in the southeastern part of Phocis, Greece. Built in the background of the Crissaean Gulf extends together with the neighbouring Kirra, along the coastline of the plain sharing the same name, the Crissaean Plain and it is the south ending up of the famous landscape of Delphi. It is a relatively new city, since it was founded in 1830 and it managed to become soon an important commercial and transit centre due to a series of favourable circumstances. The access to the city is easy, either by sea - it has a good port that serves the transport of both people and goods - or by land, as it is connected to the big road axis of Greece. It constitutes the way out to the sea not only for the Department - it is the port of Amfissa and Delphi - but also for the entire area of Central Greece.

Galaxidi or Galaxeidi is a town and a former municipality in the southern part of Phocis. Modern Galaxidi is built on the site of ancient Haleion, a city of western Locris. Traces of habitation are discernible since prehistoric times with a peak in the Early Helladic Period (Anemokambi, Pelekaris, Kefalari, islet of Apsifia). A significant Mycenaean settlement has been located at Villa; the hill of St. Athanasios also revealed a fortified Geometric settlement (ca. 700 BC). In the Archaic and Classical periods (7th-4th centuries BC) was developed the administrative and religious centre at the modern site of Agios Vlasis. It seems that in ca. 300 BC the present site was settled and surrounded by a fortification wall; it is the period of the expansion of power of the Aetolian League. Haleion flourished throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods until the 2nd century AD. In an old mansion of Galaxidi are situated two museums:

• The Archaeological Collection of Galaxidi presents a collection, which was established in 1932 to host antiquities found and donated by citizens as well as excavation finds from the regions in and around Galaxeidi. The exhibition is organised in three main themes: (a) Private and daily life, (b) Trade and maritime activity and (c) Cemeteries. It focuses on the educational aspects as the finds are accompanied by pictures and texts, revealing the history of ancient Haleion, the precursor of Galaxeidi.
• The Maritime Museum of Galaxidi includes the Chronicle of Galaxidi, which was published by Konstantinos Sathas in 1865. It used to serve as a town hall for Galaxidi. The Chronicle of Galaxeidi is a Greek chronicle written in the year 1703 detailing the history of the town of Galaxeidi on the northern shore of the Gulf of Corinth and its wider region, including the towns of Naupaktos, Amfissa, and Loidoriki, from the Middle Ages to 1690.

History

Corinth’s settlement dates to 5000 B.C. which was discovered in the Korakos region, a testament to Corinthos’ habitation since the Neolithic Age. In antiquity, Korinthos was one of the largest and most important cities in Greece which had a key-role during the Peloponnesian War. After 200 B.C. became the capital of the Achaean Confederation. Under Julius Caesar it was elevated to the capital of the Achaia province. During the middle Ages it was associated with its impressive fortifications at Akrokorinthos (Acrocorinth). A powerful earthquake destroyed the city in 1858, which was rebuilt with earthquake resistant specifications undera new town plan, 9 km to the north of the ancient city. The town of Palaia Corinthos is situated on the site of Ancient Corinthos.
 
Today, Corinth is located about 83 km west of Athens. The Municipality of Corinth had a population of 58,192, according to the 2011 census, the second most populous municipality in the Peloponnese Region, after Kalamata. It is surrounded by the coastal townlets of Lechaio, Isthmia, Kechries, and the inland townlet of Examilia and the archaeological site and village of ancient Corinth. Natural features around the city include the narrow coastal plain of Vocha, the Corinthian Gulf, the Isthmus of Corinth cut by its canal, the Saronic Gulf, the Oneia Mountains and the monolithic rock of Acrocorinth, where the medieval acropolis was built. Capital’s prefecture is the region’s prominent administrative, commercial, financial and cultural center. The city center has wide roads, parks, squares and a picturesque port with fishing boats. Beautiful pedestrian walkways entice the visitors for a stroll, coffee and shopping, with monuments, museums and historical sites surrounding the city.

Attractions

Peloponnese is a beloved region in the south of Greece, which used to be a peninsula connected to the rest of Greece by the Isthmus of Corinth, in ancient times. Nowadays, the region is separated from the mainland by the narrow Corinth Canal, although there are many bridges connecting Peloponnese to Attica across the canal. It is a highly cultural and popular area, being celebrated by many tourists from all over the world, especially during the summer season.

In Peloponnese there are many natural beauties, such as mountains, forests, rivers and caves, surrounded by the sea and sandy beaches completed by monuments from every period of the eventful Peloponnesian history, breathtaking archaeological sites and gorgeous Byzantine churches making the Peloponnese region a highly sought-after holiday destination. Peloponnese has a dry climate on the east, cold, snow and rich vegetation in its central and mountainous parts and rain and heat on the west.

• Seaside zone

Located around the Eleftherios Venizelos square with the impressive statue of Pegasus and the small port of Floisvos with the marina. Nearby, there is Kalamia, an extensive and established pebble strewn beach, with many coffee shops and taverns all along.

• Pedestrian walkway

Located in Pilarinos Zografos Street, is a meeting place for the residents with stores, coffee shops and bars.

• Historic and Folklore Museum

Situated close to the Eleftherios Venizelos square, with 3,500 exhibits of 18th and 19th century and costumes from all over Greece.

• Municipal Lending Library and Municipal Art Gallery

Located in the centre with notable collections.

• The Archaeological Site of Ancient Corinthos is 9 km north-west of the modern city. The ruins at Pirini fountain, the courtyard of Apollo, the foundations of a significant Roman basilica, the temple of the goddess Tyche (Fortune) or Apollo Klarios, the stores in the agora, the temple of Apollo, the ruins of the theatre and the Lerna fountain are highly visible. The town of Acrocorinth, at whose foot the ancient city was built, dates to circa 4000 B.C. The Archaeological Museum operates at the archaeological site (built in 1931-32) with an extensive exhibited collection dating from the Prehistoric Period through the Roman and Byzantine Period. Notable, is the large Mycenaean crater (vessel, circa 1200 B.C.), the Corinthian amphora and stopper (600 B.C.), etc.

• Acrocorinth (the residence of the Sun’s God), is located 3.5 km south of ancient Corinthos, at the peak of a 575 meters high hill, which has always been the fortified acropolis of Corinthos. It is the oldest, largest and most impressive castle in the Peloponnese, whose walls were built during the middle Ages. Worth seeing are the ruins at the temple of Aphrodite, the relics of the Christian Churches and the Turkish buildings, on the peak of the hill. In addition to its archaeological significance, Acrocorinth is a rich botanical garden with numerous indigenous Greek wild flowers which belongs to the “Natura 2000” European Union habitat network. On the opposite hill (Penteskoufi) there is a smaller medieval castle of the 13th century, which is difficult to access.

• The idea for the Corinthian Canal, which connects the Saronic to the Corinthian gulf, was first conceived by Periander (6th century B.C.). However, it opened after Greece’s independence, during the period 1882-1893. It has a length of 6,346 meters, a width of 24.6 meters at sea level and a depth of 8 meters.

• Possidonia are located on the western side of the canal, close to the Corinthian gulf, where the Ancient Passage Way of Diolkos is visible. A paved road that was constructed due to the need for rapid passage by ships from the Saronic to the Corinthian gulf and vice versa. Constructed in the early years of the 6th century B.C. and associated with Periander’s tyranny in Korinthos. Its western edge was reconstructed in the early 4th century B.C. It was used to transport small (especially military) vessels. This use has been attested by sources down to the 9th century A.D.

• Lechaio, a beautiful seaside town, is located 8 km to the west of Corinthos. The region was developed in the 6th century B.C, since Lechaio, together with Keghrees, were the city’s two ports. The ruins of the ancient port have survived to the present day. Excavations have uncovered the ruins of a palaeo-Christian basilica, to the west of the ancient port, which was constructed in the 5th century A.D, in honour of the martyr Leonidis and the seven Virgins who martyred during the Decian persecution in 251 A.D. Also, the church of Agios Gerasimos is situated at Lechaio where Gerasimos Notaras was a hermit. Lastly, a fertile valley in the wider region, where fruit and grape vines are cultivated, is available for sightseeing.

Olympia

A sanctuary of ancient Greece in Elis on the Peloponnese peninsula, is known for having been the site of the Olympic Games in classical times. The most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece lies in the beautiful valley of the Alpheios river. Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, it sprawls over the southwest foot of Mount Kronios, at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers, in a lush, green landscape. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic centre in Greece. Its fame rests upon the Olympic Games, the greatest national festival and a highly prestigious one world-wide, which was held every four years to honour Zeus. The origin of the cult and of the festival went back many centuries. Local myths concerning the famous Pelops, the first ruler of the region, and the river Alpheios, betray the close ties between the sanctuary and both the East and West.

Remains of food and burnt offerings dating back to the 10th century BC give evidence of a long history of religious activity at the site. No buildings have survived from this earliest period of use. The first Olympic festival was organised on the site by the authorities of Elis in the 8th century BC – with tradition dating the first games at 776 BC. The classical period, between the 5th and 4th centuries BC, was the golden age of the site at Olympia. A wide range of new religious and secular buildings and structures were constructed. During the Roman period, the games were opened up to all citizens of the Roman Empire. The 3rd century saw the site suffer heavy damage from a series of earthquakes. Invading tribes in 267 AD led to the centre of the site being fortified with material robbed from its monuments. Despite the destruction, the Olympic festival continued to be held at the site until the last Olympiad in 393 AD, after which the Christian emperor Theodosius I implemented a ban.
The archaeological site is located withing walking distance of the modern village called Ancient Olympia and it includes ruins from Bronze Age to the Byzantine eras. The site covers an expanded area of ruins scattered among low trees, as well as the ancient stadium where the Olympics took place. An impressive array of artefacts, which were unearthed during excavations, is on exhibition at the nearby Olympia Museum. At the archaeological site one can admire:

• The temple of Zeus. Zeus was compensated with a gigantic temple built between 470 and 456 BC, in the most prominent position of the sanctuary. It was the largest temple in the Peloponnese and became a model for all subsequent Doric temples, while its sculptures represent a milestone in the history of classical art. The temple housed one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, the chryselephantine statue of Zeus by Pheidias. To make the over 12 m high statue, Pheidias worked in a purpose-built, on-site workshop, which resembled the interior of the temple where the statue would be placed. The finds from Pheidias workshop and ancient testimonies are all that we know about the chryselephantine Zeus; the statue was later carried off to Constantinople and destroyed by fire in AD 475.
• The temple of Hera. The first temple erected in Olympia around the end of the 7th c. BC was sacred to Hera not Zeus, who actually had to share the same roof with his wife for about two centuries. It seems that the temple also served as a kind of treasury, since within it were kept the disc of the Sacred Truce and the gold-and-ivory table for placing the winners' wreaths, while here was also found the statue of Hermes. In honour of the goddess were held the Heraia foot race, an athletic competition solely for women, who otherwise were not allowed to participate or even watch the Olympic Games. Today, the temple of Hera is the starting point of the Olympic torch relay: on the altar of Hera, in front of the temple, the Olympic flame is lit by reflection of sunlight in a parabolic mirror and then transported by a torch to the place where the games are held.
• The Ancient Stadium of Olympia. The stadium of Ancient Olympia was a holy place for the ancient Greeks, where all the sport activities were held dedicated to the god Zeus. Originally, the stadium was constructed in such a manner that spectators could view the events from the slopes of Mount Cronion. But the stadium was gradually moved further east, and eventually it was placed outside the temple of Zeus. The stadium had a seat capacity of 20,000 spectators and almost all seats were made of mud while only a few of them were created especially for the officials. There was a vaulted passageway that connected the stadium and the sanctuary. The ancient stadium also used to host the Heraia Games, which were games for women, held in honour of the goddess Hera. The racetrack of the stadium is over 200 meters long and nearly 30 to 34 meters wide. The starting and finishing lines are indicated by two stone markers, which are about 193 meters apart. The south bank of the stadium was the podium for the judges, while on the north bank there was an altar dedicated to the priestess of goddess Demeter, who was the only woman allowed to watch the games. In 2004, the ancient stadium revived its ancient glory, when the hammer throw event of the Athens Olympics was held here. 
• The Bouleuterion. It was the seat of the Olympic Boule, namely the supreme administrative authority of the sanctuary and the equivalent of the contemporary organising committee of the games. The Olympic Boule was formed by the council of the citizens of the neighbouring Elis, which unlike what happens today, was the one and only host city of the Olympic Games. The Olympic Boule also appointed the Hellanodikes, the judges responsible for the orderly conduct of the games, for upholding the rules and punishing the offenders, but also for crowning the winners.
• The palaestra. The palaestra is an ancient edifice in Olympia, part of the gymnasium at the sanctuary. It is a sixty-six metre by sixty-six metre, or 4345 metre square building that dates to the end of the 3rd or beginning of the 2nd century BC. It is thought to be a building in ancient Greece that was devoted to the training of wrestlers and other athletes.
• Altar of Hera. The Altar of Hera is where the Olympic flame is lit. The ritual of the Lighting of the Flame starts from the Altar of Hera, in front of the goddess’s temple (Heraion), which is opposite to the Temple of Zeus, at the archaeological site of Olympia. According to the Ancient Myth of Prometheus, who stole the power of fire from the Zeus, fire is the symbol of life, rationalism and freedom as well as inventiveness.
• Archaeological Museum. Ancient Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games and today the area is one of the most important archaeological places in the world. Several remains of Zeus temple and other sites can be seen in the open-air museum of the ancient site of Olympia. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia is one of the most interesting and well-known museums in Greece which presents the historical development of one of the most important sanctuaries of the antiquity. The museum hosts a permanent exhibition with findings which date from the prehistoric to the early Christian years.
• The Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Olympia. The permanent exhibition of the museum displays ancient findings from several excavations, dating from the prehistoric times to the Early Christian period, whereas copper and stone inscriptions witness the way that the games were organized. Apart from the ancient art works, visitors have the chance to browse through a detailed visual material. The building complex of the museum has exhibition rooms, auxiliary spaces and storerooms both at the basement and the ground floor. Among the many precious exhibitions is the collection of terracotta from prehistoric, Archaic and Classical period, a collection of bronzes, a collection of sculptures from the Archaic up to the Roman period. The exhibition aims to present all aspects of ancient sports and to reveal important insight about the history of the Olympic Games.
• Modern Olympic Games Museum. The Modern Olympic Games Museum was founded in 1961 and the Hellenic Olympic Committee is responsible for its operation. The museum was based on the collection of Georgios Papastefanou, who was the first to believe in the possibility of spreading the Olympic Idea and Education through a museum. For this purpose, he donated a building, which is located in the village of Olympia, along with his rich collection to the Hellenic Olympic Committee. The museum contains rare memorabilia from the Modern Olympic Games, photographs, medals, diplomas, cups, etc., and a valuable collection of rare stamps. Various Olympic Committees and individuals have donated items which admirably complement the Museum collection.
• Museum of History of Excavations. Museum of History of Excavations in Olympia is located next to the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Antiquity, inside a small structure. The museum is dedicated to present the history of excavation in the city of Olympia that began in 1766. Apart from archived collection of documents and newspaper articles, the museum also presents an inventory list of daily excavations. Besides the documents, the museum also comprises collection of artifacts from such as instruments and other materials used during excavations. The photographic memoir of the excavation of Temple of Zeus is among the museum's prized possessions.
• Pierre de Coubertin's Monument. Pierre Frédy, Baron de Coubertin (1 January 1863 – 2 September 1937) was a French pedagogue and historian, founder of the International Olympic Committee, and considered father of the modern Olympic Games. Coubertin was the instigator of the modern Olympic movement, a man whose vision and political skill led to the revival of the Olympic Games which had been practised in antiquity. Coubertin idealised the Olympic Games as the ultimate ancient athletic competition. The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece, and the second, the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. He was buried in Lausanne (the seat of the IOC), although, in accordance with his will, his heart was buried separately in a monument near the ruins of ancient Olympia.