| Corinth Κόρινθος, Kòrinthos | ||
 | ||
| State | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Peloponnese | |
| Territory | Corinthia | |
| Altitude | 0-10 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 611 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 58 523 (2011) | |
| Name inhabitants | Corinthians | |
| Prefix tel | 30 27410 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 20 131 and 20 132 | |
| Time zone | 2 | |
Position
| ||
| Institutional website | ||
Corinth is a city of Greece. It is in turn one of the oldest cities in Peloponnese, a port and the capital of the homonymous region.
To know
It is important to know that you are the new and theancient Corinth. If you go to Corinth it usually means that you are going to the new city as the archaeological sites of the old city are 5km from the city.
Geographical notes
Corinth is located a few kilometers from the isthmus and its urban layout can be confusing because the various landmarks are distant. If the new city is located on the north coast, the isthmus is to the east. To the west about 6 km from the center of Corinth is Ancient Corinth with the archaeological site. Further west of ancient Corinth is the fortress of Acrocorinth.
The center of the land spit of the territory is crossed by the A7 motorway which connects the Peloponnese with Attica.
Background
The area is known to have been inhabited since at least 6000 BC. Ancient Corinth had two ports there was the port of Lechaion on the Gulf of Corinth, and not far away was the port of Kenchreal on the Saronic Gulf. Since ancient times, the isthmus was still considered a difficult obstacle to overcome.
In classical times Corinth became the seat of the isthmic games which took place every two years, between April and May. The award ceremony took place in the temple of Poseidon with a pine crown.
Corinth had its heyday in the 6th century BC, the city was surrounded by walls and with the construction of the Diolkos it was trying to overcome the isthmus. In 150 BC around Corinth was conquered by the Romans, the city was sacked and later rebuilt. So it is not surprising that Roman remains prevail.
Around 500 A.D. the barbarian populations that poured towards the Peloponnese passed through here. Therefore theHexamilion a protective wall, made of stones recovered from ancient buildings.
Between 49 and 50 A.D. the apostle also passed Paul who spread the Gospel to the Corinthians before reaching there'Italy.
Subsequently, Corinth had a varied history with the passage of Byzantines, Crusaders, Venetians and finally the city was occupied by the Ottomans. In 1822, the city was liberated by the Greeks but in 1858 it was the victim of an earthquake. The old Corinth was abandoned and the new city was rebuilt about 7 km on the Gulf of Corinth. For this reason there are no old buildings in the new city.
How to orient yourself
Corinth: full screen map.
The territory of Corinth is quite vast and dispersed, especially due to the fact that the new city is separated from the ancient site which is a few kilometers away. The modern city overlooks the Gulf of Corinth while the hamlet of Istmia faces the opposite side.
The city center is located near the port between Damaskinou and Koliatsou streets, between them there are pedestrian streets.
How to get
Corinth is very close and easily accessible from Athens by most means of transport, buses, trains, cars.
By plane
The nearest airport is the international airport Eleftherios Venizelos of Athens.
By car
Corinth is an important road junction. The toll highway 
for Tripoli is Kalamata (is Sparta via toll A71), detaches from the 
/ European motorway 
of the toll highway from Athens to Corinth. Corinth is the main entry point to the Peloponnese peninsula.
- 1 Tourist port. For boat owners there is also a small tourist port.
On the train
- 2 Corinth station. It is located in an awkward position south of the city center. Suburban trains Proastiakos directly connect the city with the international airport of Athens.
By bus
- 3 Bus station (KTEL Isthmou) (Near the sea and the "Aqua Park Water Fun"). It is a bit hidden and probably difficult to find at first, in fact it is located near the Corinth Canal and not in the city center. The city is well connected with Athens and with Nafplio through several daily connections, being an intermediate stop. For timetables and routes, you can consult here. Links with Mycenaeavailable here.
If you are in old Corinth, first take a bus from there to new Corinth and ask the bus driver how to get to Athens. If you are lucky, it will take you to a bus station (which comes after the city center and most people will leave the bus at that time). At that bus station, you will easily find a bus to Athens.
How to get around
By public transport
If you want to go to ancient Corinth (with all the archaeological sites and ruins), you can first go to the new Corinth and then take a bus from there to the ancient one. To do this, you should go to the center of new Corinth and then ask people where the bus stop is. The stop should be located around a bar, and the bus leaves every hour, 5 minutes past the hour. The bus destination is "APXAIA" (Arxaia) for the old part. You can buy a ticket on the bus (€ 1.80). It is a good idea to stay on the bus for a while as it crosses old Corinth, as it gives you a nice budget tour. You could for example go out to the ancient theater (just ask the driver).
By taxi
However, it remains the most practical way to get around the city.
By car
In the summer, parking at peak times can be a problem. There are two car parks, both free of charge near the port where you can leave your car.
What see
 | To learn more, see: Ancient Corinth. |
1 Ancient Corinth, Archea Korinthos, ☎ 30 27410 31207, fax: 302741031480, @[email protected]. 
8 € full, 4 € reduced (Jan 2018). 
From 1/11 to 31/3, 8: 00-15: 00. Closed Mon. From 1/4 to 30/9, 08: 00-20: 00. From 1/10 to 15/10, 08: 00-19: 00. From 16/10 to 31/10, 08: 00-18: 00. It is the site of the ancient city of Corinth. Inside there are several important monuments including the museum. 
8 € full, 4 € reduced (Jan 2018). 
From 1/11 to 31/3, 8: 00-15: 00. Closed Mon. From 1/4 to 30/9, 08: 00-20: 00. From 1/10 to 15/10, 08: 00-19: 00. From 16/10 to 31/10, 08: 00-18: 00. It is the site of the ancient city of Corinth. Inside there are several important monuments including the museum.
- 2 Archaeological Museum of Corinth (Inside the archaeological area). An important aspect of the museum is the ceramics, the collection extends over the whole ancient world. In the museum there are some very beautiful mosaics. The statues are mostly from Roman times. The Corinthian capitals are also explained being the motherland of many other cities.
- 3 Temple of Apollo. Built around 560 BC atop a rocky hill, the Temple of Apollo is one of the earliest Doric temples in Greece. It was restored in the Roman period and dedicated to the cult of the emperor. In the Byzantine era it was transformed into a basilica, while in the Ottoman period it was partially demolished and a new residence of the Turkish local Bey was built over its crepis. Today only seven standing columns remain.
- 2 Archaeological Museum of Corinth (Inside the archaeological area). An important aspect of the museum is the ceramics, the collection extends over the whole ancient world. In the museum there are some very beautiful mosaics. The statues are mostly from Roman times. The Corinthian capitals are also explained being the motherland of many other cities.
- 4 Acrocorinth (Ακροκόρινθος) (a few kilometers from Ancient Corinth), ☎ 30 27410 31266, @[email protected]. 2 € full, 1 € reduced (Feb 2018). Mon-Sun 08: 00-15: 00. It is a fortress used since the Archaic period as an acropolis. It was fortified and exploited for a long time during the fourth crusade, by the Venetians and the Ottomans. Today it is a fortified citadel in ruins on which it is possible to admire the remains of an Ottoman mosque, the temple of Aphrodite and the Upper Pyrene fountain. For the visit, comfortable clothing is recommended but above all the use of a car or a taxi to reach it.
- 4 Acrocorinth (Ακροκόρινθος) (a few kilometers from Ancient Corinth), ☎ 30 27410 31266, @[email protected].
- This place also appears in a myth from the 2nd century AD. which narrated that Briareus acted as arbiter in a dispute between Poseidon and Elio (the sea and the Sun) establishing that the Isthmus would be up to Poseidon and the acropolis to Elio.
- 5 Folklore Museum, 1 Ermou Street, ☎ 30 2741 071690.
- 6 Corinth Canal. The idea of cutting the Isthmus of Corinth is ancient and dates back to the 7th century BC. by the tyrant Periandro. It was then the emperor Nero who started the work using 6000 slaves, but the work was interrupted by the death of the emperor. Completion must wait until the end of the 19th century. The canal measures about 6 km and allows the passage of medium-sized vessels of about 10,000 t. The best place to see it is the bridge near the Corinth bus station. There are also some parking spaces to make a stop.
- 7 Diolkos (Poseidonos coastal road from Corinth to Loutraki, just before the canal bridge, on the left). It was a road that allowed to cross the strip of land of the Isthmus of Corinth in ancient times, when the artificial canal did not exist. On the road goods passed from one bank to the other. The road was very busy throughout antiquity then the historical events led it to decline. Today it runs alongside the Corinth Canal and only a few traces remain on the side of the Saronic Gulf.
- 8 Archaeological Museum of Istmia, Isthmia. 2 € full, 1 € reduced (Mar 2018). Tue-Sun: 08: 30-15: 00. The museum, inaugurated in 1978, exhibits objects found at the site and in the immediate vicinity, mainly in the excavations of the ancient port of Cencrea, including large decorative plates of colored glass.
- 9 Temple of Istmia. Temple attached to the archaeological museum.
- 10 Lecheo (Lechaion) (Take National Route 8 from Corinth to the west.), ☎ 30 27410 31207, fax: 30 2741031480, @[email protected]. free (May 2018). 08:00-15:00. Ancient port city connected to ancient Corinth by a road, the Lechaion. Today there are traces of the port and a destroyed old Christian basilica on the site. The site is beautiful if only because it is close to the beach.
- Sanctuary of Poseidon.
Events and parties
What to do
During the summer, the beaches near Corinth are very popular.
- 1 Bungee jumping, Corinth Canal Bridge, ☎ 30 27410 49465, 30 694 608 9743, @[email protected]. 10:00–18:00. It is possible to experience the thrill of bungee jumping from the highest bridge of the Canal.
Shopping
How to have fun
The liveliest street in the city is Kolokotroni, a pedestrian street full of bars and clubs.
Where to eat
Moderate prices
- 1 Mr Bogart cafe bar, Kolokotroni 5, ☎ 30 2741 027982. Trendy venue with outdoor seating.
Where stay
Moderate prices
- 1 Apollon Hotel, 2, Damaskinou Street, ☎ 30 27410 25920, fax: 30 27410 83875. One star hotel
- 2 Ephira Hotel, 52, "Ethnikis Antistasseos" Street, ☎ 30 27410 22434, 30 27410 24021, fax: 30 27410 24514. 2 star hotel
- 3 Korinthos Hotel, 26, Damaskinou Street, ☎ 30 27410 26701, fax: 30 27410 23693, @[email protected]. 2 star hotel
Safety
Driving directions are not always very effective, so it is always advisable to use a navigator, if you have a car, or a city map to navigate.
How to keep in touch
Around
- Loutraki - city on the coast not far from Corinth.
- It can be reached easily Athens perhaps making a stop in the archaeological area of Eleusis.
- Epidaurus
- Nafplio
