Corinth. Settlements - Guide to Greece. Ancient Corinth (Greece): photos and reviews
Corinth city in Greece
Corinth - Greek city, located on the Isthmian Isthmus, which connects Central Greece with the Peloponnese. In the west, the Isthmian isthmus is washed by the Gulf of Corinth, from the east by the Saronic Sea.
After the earthquake in 1858 was built modern city three kilometers northeast of the ruined city. The Corinth Canal was also built near the city, it connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Aegean, leaving the Saronic Gulf near the city of Isthmia. Therefore, Corinth is an important transport hub. There is a port in the north of the city.
The area of modern Corinth is a little over 100 km 2, about 58,000 people live here. To call Corinth, you need to dial telephone code Greece +30 and directly the code of Corinth 27410.
Hotels in Corinth
We invite you to get acquainted with a small review of hotels in the city of Corinth, so that you make an impression and, perhaps, choose one of them. We have prepared hotels with a high rating, which was earned by hotels thanks to a large number of positive feedback from tourists.
The family-run Jo Marinis Rooms is located in Ancient Corinth, very close to the Archaeological Museum. Breaks out of the windows beautiful view on the mountain or the garden that surrounds the hotel. Thanks to the friendly service and convenient location, the hotel has good rating and positive feedback.
Another highly rated hotel is located in Ancient Corinth, near the castle. This is Vasilios Marinos Rooms Bed and Breakfast. The windows of the rooms overlook the garden, the mountain or the Acrocorinth. Here you can choose the type of food for meals in the dining area, while light snacks and drinks can be ordered at the snack bar. By the way, tourists rate the food at this hotel quite highly.
The hotel Ephira was built in the very center of Corinth. You can enjoy a cup of coffee on the hotel's shady terrace or on the leather sofas in the lobby. To Xylokastro resort beautiful beaches marked with the Blue Flag, 40 km.
Near the Corinth Canal is the Isthmia Prime Hotel. Breakfast is served here Buffet”, while the cafe offers light meals, snacks and coffee. All guests can play tennis, mini-football, volleyball or basketball. Mountain bikes can be rented free of charge to explore the Isthmus of Corinth. The high level of service and convenient location of the hotel contribute to its high rating.
Transport in Corinth
You can easily get to Corinth from the Athens airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" by train. The trains depart from 05.50 to 22.50 every hour, and the travel time is 80 minutes.
You can also get there by bus, but from Athens directly. Buses run from 06.00 to 23.30 every half an hour and will take you to Corinth in 90 minutes. Departure is from Leoforia Peloponnisou station.
There are three bus stations in Corinth itself. From the first, which is next to railway station you can go to Athens. From the second, located at the corner of Koliatsu and Kolokotroni streets, to ancient Corinth (travel time 15–20 minutes), from the third, which is at the corner of Koliatsu and Ermou, to other cities of Greece.
Corinth on the map of Greece
The map clearly shows the location of Corinth - on the isthmus between the Peloponnese peninsula and Central Greece. To get a better view of the map, you can enlarge it.
The weather in Corinth is the same as in the city of Loutraki: the distance between them is only 8 km, so you can see detailed information in a special section Weather in Greece on our website.
Sightseeing in Corinth: things to see
Ancient Corinth is the main attraction of the city. You can get to the Ancient City, which remained 3 km from the modern one, by bus in 15 minutes. There you will see the Temple of Apollo, which rises above the ruins of the ancient Roman agora, as well as the Sacred Spring and the platform in the north of the agora on open area, where the apostle Paul defended himself and Christianity before the Corinthian proconsul Gallio. You can also look at the ruins of the Pyrenees - this was the main source drinking water. The Corinthian theater was used not only for its intended purpose, but also for holding gladiator fights. In the north, the ruins of Asklepion have been preserved. There you can also visit Archaeological Museum Corinth, the cost of visiting which is already included in the price of a ticket to the Ancient City.
Another attraction of the city is Acrocorinth, which is the ruins of the fortress walls. At the top of the hill there was once a temple of Aphrodite, and today there is a breathtaking view from there. Entrance is free, but climbing the hill can seem tedious and long.
The Corinth Canal is the pride of the city. The engineering structure connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic, which is very important in terms of transport.
The beaches of Corinth
The beaches of the city of Loutraki, lakes Vouliagmeni, Strava, Isthmia, Leheo, Kokkoni, Neratza, Kato Diminho, Melissi, Xylokastro, Likoporte, Derveni stretch along the Corinthian Gulf. Along the Saronic Gulf stretch the beaches of Aion Theodoron, Kalamaki, after Isthmia - Palio Kalamaki, Kehries, between Almiri and Korfosos are the virgin beaches of Lichnari, Fragkolimano, Mikro Amoni, Megalo Amoni, Kalogerolimano.
Let's talk about the most popular beaches near Corinth.
Calamia - clean beach, located in the Corinthian Bay near Corinth. The beach is partly covered with sand, partly with pebbles. This place is perfect for youth recreation: discos and concerts are held here even at night.
In the Xylokastro resort there are best beaches throughout Corinthia, they are regularly marked with the Blue Flag. Here you can practice water sports sports and just sunbathing and swimming.
Aristonauton - pebble beach 30 meters wide. What is interesting - "salt" trees are planted along the beach, which are not afraid of sea water. Another pebble beach - Sykia - has a length of 750 meters, and a width of 10 to 25 meters in different parts. These beaches are also marked with Blue Flags for their cleanliness and environmental friendliness.
5 km from Xylokastro is Melissi Beach, marked with the Blue Flag. The pebbly long beach is equipped with everything necessary for have a great holiday, along the beach there are cafes and taverns where you can enjoy national Greek dishes.
The small pebble beach of Pefkias is the owner of the " blue flag» - located in the resort of Diminio, next to the dense pine forest. On the beach, you can rent a motorcycle or bicycle, book a tour of Corinthia, or participate in landscaping or cleaning the beach.
The 2-kilometer pebble beach of the resort of Loutraki has also been awarded the Blue Flag. On the beach you can rent a catamaran, motor or rowing boat.
2.5 km from Loutraki, on the territory of the Poseidon Resort, there is a pebble beach called Butsi, on the territory of which oleanders, lemon, pistachio and olive trees grow. Entrance to the beach for hotel guests is free, the rest will have to pay - and it will be possible to use not only sunbeds and umbrellas, but also parking, swimming pools, and a tennis court. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag, and the hotel hosts drawing and photography competitions, as well as tree care activities.
Ancient Corinth (Αρχαία Κόρινθος)
Ancient Corinth was an important city-state of the ancient Peloponnese and one of the richest cities in the ancient world. He controlled the Isthmian Isthmus, which connects mainland Hellas with the Peloponnese peninsula and was a major trading hub of the ancient world.
Ancient Corinth has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age (5000-3000 BC).
Periander (Περίανδρος)
In the middle of the 7th century BC, a tyranny was established in Ancient Corinth, which lasted 70 years. The first tyrant of Corinth was Kypsel (Κύψελο), after thirty years of dominion, power passed to his son Periander, he was recognized as one of the seven wise men of the archaic period.
During the reign of Periander, ancient Corinth rose economically and culturally. The tyrant had not only a sharp mind, he was a great connoisseur of art. At this time, famous artists, poets come to Corinth, a new architectural order is created, called Corinthian with the most complex and magnificent design of the capital, the cult of Deonis acquires the status of a state one.
Periander carried out land reforms, founded several colonies, Corinthian coins first appeared. At this time, the breakthrough of the Corinth Canal begins, but unsuccessfully, due to an engineering decision to flood large territories water. Soon the portage across the Isthmus of Corinth was invented - the ships were transported on wagons on rails through the canal. This helped to enrich ancient Corinth even more and Periander abolishes taxes in Corinth itself.
At the same time, Periander had the reputation of a very cruel person. In anger, he killed his wife and expelled his son from the house, who did not forgive him for the murder of his mother. He brutally crushed the uprising in Corfu and installed his second son as ruler. Only after the death of Periander, the island of Corfu regained its independence. The tyrant died at the age of 80, during the reign, he was guarded by 200 bodyguards.
Ancient Corinth was known in ancient world temple of prostitutes, he was in the temple of Aphrodite. 1000 hetaeras served wealthy merchants, influential government officials and travelers for big money. Corinth was sometimes called the city of commercial love.
During the Persian Wars, Ancient Corinth was one of the leading forces of the Greek coalition against the Persians: Corinthian soldiers actively participated in the battle of Plataea and in the battle of Salamis on 40 ships.
In subsequent years, Corinth begins to compete with Athens, relations between the two major policies begin to escalate. Corinth forms an alliance with Sparta and other cities ancient greece at war with Athens.
After the end of the Peloponnesian War (it ended with the victory of Sparta), a fire broke out in Corinth. Civil War among financial oligarchs and democrats. In addition, the cruel, straightforward and unceremonious policy of Sparta in many respects did not please not only the defeated Athens, but also more and more allies of Sparta - Thebes and Corinth.
Corinth allies with Athens, the new alliance unleashes a war with Sparta, known as the Corinthian War, which ended in 386 BC. Antalkidov world.
In 365 BC the commander Timoleon (Τιμολέων) came to power in Coninth, who organized several successive campaigns in Sicily, Syracuse (colony of Corinth), at the request of the inhabitants, to help them free themselves from the tyrant Dionysius II. In Corinth itself, Timoleon helped the Corinthians overthrow his tyrant brother.
In 336 BC, Alexander the Great created an alliance in Corinth Greek cities against the Persians. For many years, Corinth headed the Achaean League.
In 146 BC The Achaean Union made the last effort in the battle of the Hellenes with the Roman commander Mummius (Μόμμιο), whose troops were marching to capture the Peloponnese. The Greeks were defeated at the Isthmus, followed by the major destruction of Corinth, a large number of valuables were looted, the inhabitants of Corinth were sold into slavery.
After 100 years, the Roman dictator Julius Caesar, understanding the importance of geographical and of strategic importance Corinth in the east mediterranean sea, establishes a Roman colony here. The careless death of Caesar in the same year did not cancel this long-term plan, his decisions were paid into life first by Octavian, after him by Augustus.
From the year 27, Corinth becomes the capital of the Roman province of Achaia and has another name - Colonia Laus Iulia Corinthiensis.
Over time, the population of Corinth increased greatly, as trade, agriculture, and cattle breeding were resumed. Many goods were exported: olive oil, wool, honey, dyed woolen fabrics, metal objects and wooden beams. There was an import of goods from other areas of the Roman Empire: building materials such as granite, marble, they were used for new luxury buildings and facilities, as well as wine.
By the middle of the 1st century, Corinth becomes one of the important cities of the Roman Empire, at which time the Apostle Paul visited him, preaching a new religion for the Hellenes.
Despite the disasters that caused Corinth in 267, first the Heruli, and in 375 the Goths, the city remained strong. But two strong earthquakes (375 and 551) destroyed Corinth.
In 1204, the city was captured by the Franks, after the fall of Constantinople (taking by the Turks), the city went through a period of Venetian rule, which was replaced again by Turkish occupation. Liberation and reunification with the Greek state took place in 1830.
Modern Corinth
Modern Corinth is a continuation of ancient Corinth. The population of the city is 31 thousand people (2011 census).
It has been in its present location since 1858, after an earthquake that destroyed Old city, located 8 km southwest, at the foot of Mount Acrocorinth (Ακροκόρινθος). Corinth is located on the Athens-Patra road, the city offers an excellent layout and good roads, many of which lead to the sea.
The patron saint of the city is the Holy Apostle Paul. Cathedral in his honor, rises in the center of the city.
Sights of Corinth: the ruins of the temple of Apollo, Acrocorinth (acropolis with the ruins ancient temple Aphrodite), the Corinth Canal, the Archaeological Museum of Corinth.
The climate of the city is Mediterranean, with mild winters and warm and dry summers. Winters are mild and summers are dry and warm. The average annual temperature is 18°C and rainfall is limited.
can boast big amount the remains of ancient cities, visiting which, like nothing else, will help to fully experience the spirit of Greece and its past. Small children are unlikely to be interested in such trips, but if schoolchildren are resting with you, be sure to visit one of these places with them, for example, on the territory of ancient Corinth.
In the VII-VI centuries. BC e. Corinth was one of the largest and most prosperous cities in the ancient Greece. Thanks to the advantageous geographic location(located on a narrow isthmus connecting the Saronic and Corinthian gulfs), the city was very prosperous, had its own merchant and military fleet, and the Corinthian gunsmiths knew no equal in the world. It was here that the famous philosopher Diogenes lived, the founder of the Cynic school, who became famous not only for his work, but also for living in a barrel.
During the visit ancient city you will see the temple of Apollo, the ancient theater, long walls city, Corinthian agora ( trading area), the ruins of the Pyrene Fountain and the thermal baths of Eurycles. The tribune from which the apostle Paul once preached Christianity has also been preserved here. Let's focus on the most interesting places this city is a must see. Close to main road you can see the ruins of the temple of Apollo - one of the oldest in the Peloponnese. To date, 7 out of 38 of its columns have been discovered, preserved after numerous earthquakes. The Archaeological Museum of Corinth is located at western entrance. In it you can see many exhibits from all periods of the history of the ancient ancient city: a large collection of Roman mosaics, antique Corinthian ceramics, sculptures. 4 km above the main city rises the 600-meter hill of Akrokorinthos (Akrokórinthos) with the fortress of the same name. The fortress in ancient times served as a military fortification and has been well preserved to this day. The length of the southwestern walls is about 5 km. In the northeast of Acrocorinth, the ruins of the temple of Aphrodite were discovered. In those days, a thousand servants of the goddess, priestesses of love, lived here.
On the territory of Acrocorinth, in addition to ancient buildings, you can see minarets, Muslim tombs, mosques and chapels built here during the reign of the Turks. Not far from the ruins of the ancient ancient city of Corinth, there is already a modern city, which is a large industrial center. For example, on its territory there is a huge oil refining complex, which is considered one of the largest in Eastern Mediterranean. One of the attractions of modern Corinth is the 6-kilometer Corinth Canal, which is located northeast of the city. It passes through the Isthmus of Corinth and is named after the city. Its width is 24 meters, length - 6 km, depth - 8 meters, and the height of the walls reaches 75 meters.
It is worth considering that the trip and inspection of Corinth and Acrocorinth are quite long in time, most of the sites are located in a place not protected from the sun. Not far from this attraction is located, a visit to which can be a pleasant addition to a sightseeing trip.
Ancient Corinth is the name of the strongest ancient Greek city-state. In importance, it is on a par with Sparta and Athens. The first settlements here were in 6000 BC. e .. According to the myths, the city was founded by Corinth, a descendant of solar god Helios. There is archaeological evidence of the plunder of the settlement located here on the verge of the III-II millennium BC. e .. The mythical founder of the dynasty of ancient kings of Corinth (also sometimes the city) is Sisyphus - the same one from the popular expression “Sisyphean labor”. And it was here that the leader Jason abandoned Medea. Later, in the classical period, the city competed with Athens and Thebes for trade and control of shipping across the isthmus. One of the kings of Corinth was Periander, who is considered to be one of the seven wise men. During his reign, the first Corinthian coins were minted, for the first time an attempt was made to create through the Isthmian isthmus, which would allow ships to enter directly from the Corinthian to the Saronic Gulf. The project was never implemented due to the difficulties of its technical implementation, however, instead of the canal, Diolk was created - dragged across the Isthmus of Corinth. At the same time, a saying appeared: "οὐ παντὸς πλεῖν ἐς Κόρινθον" (ou pantos plein es Korinthon), which literally translates as "Not everyone can swim in Corinth" - life in the city was very expensive. The city was famous for the temple of the getters, dedicated to the goddess of love Aphrodite. They served wealthy merchants and influential government officials in the city or traveling with them outside of it. The most famous of them, Laisa, had the reputation of being gifted with outstanding abilities in her field and charging the highest fee for her services.
During the Roman Empire in 146 BC. the city was destroyed. Having entered Corinth, the Roman commander Lucius Mummius of Achaea put men to the sword, and sold women and children into slavery - the city itself was burned. A small settlement still remained here, and in 44 BC. the city was completely recreated by Julius Caesar.
In 51 or 52 AD, the apostle Paul arrived here. Here you can see the very podium from which he addressed the Corinthians, rather inconspicuous.
During the Byzantine era in 375 and 551, the city was destroyed by earthquakes, and in the Ottoman era, during the struggle for independence, the city was (for the umpteenth time) destroyed - this time by the Turks. And after gaining independence, Corinth was considered as the capital of Greece, but preference was given to Athens. In 1858, the old city, built on the site of ancient Corinth, is again destroyed by an earthquake. New town(extremely ugly) with the same name was founded three kilometers to the northeast, on the coast of the Gulf of Corinth. Today, near the excavations of the ancient city, there is an impromptu village with restaurants and hotels.
Visiting the excavations, you can see the temples of Apollo and Octavia, the agora, the theater and the previously mentioned thought of the Apostle Paul. On the mountain, the Corinthian Acropolis is located.
Opening hours of the excavations and the museum: winter time 8:00-15:00, in summer 8:00-20:00
Ticket price 6 euros.
How to get to ancient Corinth:
By car From Athens: along the A8, E04 highway (86 km), then along the Corinth-Krines motorway (7 km)
By train from Athens: Train to Corinth ( Ending station- Kiato) leaves directly from Athens airport every hour, from 5.50 to 22.50. Travel time - 1 hour 20 minutes. You can also take the train at Neratzotis Station
By train from Athens: Train to Corinth in 1 hour and 5 minutes. You can also take the train at Neratzotis metro station
