 Temple of Apollo, Corinth | ||
| Corinth | ||
| Regional district | Corinthia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 30.176 (2011) | |
| height | 10 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Corinth, Greek Κόρινθος, is a city on the Peloponnese. She is on Isthmus of Corinth, a 6 km wide isthmus that connects mainland Greece with the Peloponnese.
background
Due to its location on the isthmus, ancient Corinth had two ports. On the one hand there was the port of Lechaion on the Gulf of Corinth, and not far from it was the port of Kenchreal on the Saronic Gulf. In ancient times, the isthmus in between was still considered a difficult obstacle to overcome.
Corinth was already around 1000 BC. populated. It had its heyday in the 6th century, the city was walled and with the construction of the Diolkos an attempt was made to overcome the isthmus. Around 150 BC. Corinth was conquered by the Romans, the city was plundered and later rebuilt according to their ideas. So it is not surprising that Roman finds predominate in the once important Greek city.
In the time around 500 AD. The isthmus turned out to be a disadvantage: all barbarians streaming in the direction of the Peloponnese passed through here. Hence the Hexamilion erected, a protective wall, made from the stones of ancient buildings, it was used very little.
After that, Corinth had a similarly checkered history as the surrounding cities. Byzantines, crusaders, and Venetians took turns in the rule, and finally the city became Ottoman. In 1822 the city finally came under the newly liberated state of Greece - and in 1858 it fell victim to an earthquake. The old Corinth was finally abandoned, the new city is about 7 km away on the Gulf of Corinth. Understandably, there is no old building fabric there.
getting there
Corinth is about 84 km west of Athens. The best way to get to Corinth is by car A8 (Olympia Odos), the bus (KTEL) or the train. The train (Suburban railway of the OSE subsidiary Proastiakos A.E.) takes about 60 minutes from Athens and 90 minutes from Athens Airport.
mobility
The best way to get around town is to use a taxi. It's cheap and quick.
Tourist Attractions
Old town
Ancient Corinth comprised the area between the Mount of Acrocorinth and the coast of the Gulf. The seven re-erected pillars of the Temple of Apollo are visible from afar. On the excavation site you will essentially find the old city center with the market square, with the surrounding buildings such as baths, thermal baths and temples. It's in the marketplace Bema, the speaker's platform on which the apostle Paul addressed his words to the Corinthians, who at that time were known for their loose morals. Outside the excavation site on the other side of the street, an odeon and the remains of a theater can be seen.
museum
- museum. One focus of the museum is ceramics, the collection covers the whole of antiquity. In the museum you can also see some very nice mosaics. Most of the statues date from Roman times. The Corinthian capitals are also appropriately explained.Open: in summer: Mon 12.30 p.m. - 7.30 p.m., Tue - Sun 8.30 a.m. - 7.30 p.m.Price: Entry 6 €.
Acrocorinth
The mighty fortress is located on a mountain south of the old town. Originally Byzantine, then Frankish under the Crusaders. Finally Venetian and finally Turkish. From the 574 m high summit of the mountain you have a good all-round view. Its enclosing walls are around 3,000 meters long, making it the largest fortress in the Peloponnese and one of the most important in the region, strategically located at the entrance to the Morea.
miscellaneous
- Corinth Canal. Please refer Corinthia.
- Isthmia. In the place at the southeast exit of the canal, the remains of a sanctuary have been uncovered, which was dedicated to Poseidon. The Isthmian Games were held here.
- Loutraki. A health resort with a large casino and a long beach promenade with many bars and ouzeries.
activities
Swim in the sea in summer. The beaches on the coast of the Saronic Gulf are relatively narrow.
shop
kitchen
You can eat well in the club hotel Poseidon which is located shortly after Loutraki.
nightlife
In summer in many beach clubs in and around Corinth.
accommodation
- Isthmia Prime Hotel, next to the Corinth Canal.
- Hotel King Saron, Isthmia. Located a bit out of town, popular with French and Eastern Europeans. Nice but quite small beach. You can really get closer in the small elevators.
- Next to Loutraki the casino with its own hotel.
trips
- To Athens drives the Suburban railway of the OSE subsidiary Proastiakos A.E.). It takes about 90 minutes to get to the Akropoli stop (change from SKA-Acharnes / SKA and then change from Athens / Larissa station) of the Athens Metro. From Corinth, the ticket for this train, the metro in Athens and back costs 14 euros (as of 2014) for an adult.
- It is a stone's throw to the Saronic Islands, especially since the islands are from the fast hydrofoils of the Flying Dolphins be approached. Car ferries are used less because cars are completely banned on some islands. There are ferry connections from: Methana to Aegina, Ermioni to Poros, Hydra and Spetses, Portocheli to Poros, Hydra and Spetses.
literature
Web links
- http://www.korinthos.gr/ - Official website of Corinth
