Open the left menu corinth. Corinth - the famous city of Greece The modern name of the city of Corinth in Greece

In ancient times, Corinth was one of the largest and wealthiest city-states in Greece. Corinth had two major ports - one in the Corinthian Gulf and one in the Saronic. Excavations in the territory of Ancient Corinth have been going on since 1896. The vast territory, mainly dating back to the Roman period, is dominated by the ruins of the Temple of Apollo. Further, the hill of Acrocorinth rises, which was fortified in the Middle Ages. The modern city of Corinth is located seven kilometers northeast of the ancient city and 78 kilometers west of Athens, with which it is connected by regular bus service. In this article, I will tell you about the main attractions in Corinth that are worth visiting.

Corinth Canal

The Corinth Canal is located four kilometers east of present-day Corinth. The idea of ​​building a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth (which connects the Peloponnese to the rest of Greece) was conceived by the tyrant Periander in the 6th century BC. However, the canal was not completed until 1882-1893, after modern Greece gained independence. The Corinth Canal was 6.3 kilometers long, 23 meters wide and eight meters deep. The Corinth Canal can accommodate ships up to 10,000 tons. The best view of the canal is from the bridge over which the road passes. An interesting feature is the movable bridge at the northwest end, which can be flooded under water, allowing small ships and sailboats to pass (at a fairly high rate). However, it is too narrow for large ships.

Ancient Corinth

Ancient Corinth is an important archaeological site that has brought to light many great finds. One of the most powerful cities in the classical world, it came under Roman rule in 146 BC. It was here that the apostle Paul preached to the people of Corinth in AD 51-52, and this experience later inspired him to write the book of the New First Testament of the Corinthians and the Second Testament, one of the most cited books of the Bible. Today, among the archaeological sites, you can see the ruins of various buildings, including temples, a forum, baths and a basilica.

Temple of Apollo

The most important monument and landmark of Ancient Corinth is the imposing Doric Temple of Apollo. It is located on a small hill and dominates the site. The temple was built around 540 BC. on the site of the previous temple early 7th century BC. Today only seven monolithic columns remain, but originally there were six along the front and back of the temple, as well as fifteen on each side. In the first century AD, the Romans moved the main entrance to the temple to the west (it was earlier in the east), and built stoas (colonnade paths) on either side of the temple.

Archaeological Museum of Corinth

This small museum provides an in-depth view of the finds in the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth. Built in 1931-32 and expanded in the 1950s, the museum has three showrooms and a large courtyard. The main attractions of the Museum of Corinth are Neolithic finds, typical Corinthian pottery, mosaic floors and numerous headless marble statues (in those days, they simply removed the head of the deceased leader from the statue and replaced it with the head of the new leader). The exhibits are tagged in both Greek and English. The entrance ticket to the excavation site is also valid for the museum. Many sights of Corinth and the Peloponnese can be included in the list of the most underestimated places in Greece, which often do not fall on the itinerary of a mass tourist.

Acrocorinth

Acrocorinth is located 3.5 km south of Ancient Corinth. The ascent to the top of this impressive fortified hill (575 meters) is facilitated by a well-maintained road that climbs to its highest point from the lowest gate on the west side. Acrocorinth was fortified in ancient times, and its defenses were maintained and developed during the Byzantine, Frankish, Turkish and Venetian periods, when the walls of the fortress reached almost two kilometers in length. Within the fortress, the trail leads to the highest point - the former Temple of Aphrodite, which was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Turks in the 16th century. From here there is a beautiful view of the isthmus and the hills of the Peloponnese. Among the attractions of Corinth, this place is very popular.

Loutraki

The popular seaside resort of Loutraki, overlooking the Gulf of Corinth, is located six kilometers northeast of Corinth. It is famous for its natural thermal springs. Loutraki Baths are recommended in the treatment of urinary tract disorders, kidney stones, gallstones and gout. The method of treatment is bathing and drinking. The old town of Loutraki was destroyed by an earthquake in 1928 and today consists mainly of concrete hotels built in the second half of the 20th century. Loutraki is the most popular attraction of the Peloponnese and Corinth peninsulas.

Modern Corinth

A powerful earthquake destroyed the old city of Corinth in 1858, after which it was rebuilt according to a new plan on the coast overlooking the Gulf of Corinth, seven kilometers northeast of the ancient city. However, the new city had to be rebuilt again after another earthquake in 1928 and a big fire in 1933. The city today consists mainly of modern concrete buildings, entertainment centers and cafes overlooking the square in front of the port. For tourists arriving from Athens and the rest of mainland Greece, Corinth is considered the gateway to the Peloponnese.

Like its ancient predecessor, the city of Korinthos, lying on the Isthmian isthmus, was destroyed several times by earthquakes (the last time in 1981) and was rebuilt literally from ruins many times. Therefore, the modern city is rather faceless and has few attractions. It is a large industrial and agricultural center, the Greek "capital of the currant" (the very word "currant" in all Western European languages ​​comes exactly from the name of this city), an important transport hub and "gateway to the Peloponnese", through which the only highway crosses the Corinth Canal. In summer, it is also the hottest and driest part of the peninsula. The only noteworthy objects here are the good Folklore Museum (open from Thursday to Sunday from 8.30 to 13.30; 2 euros), the cozy village of Archeia-Corinth, 7 km south-west of the city, and, of course, the Corinth Canal itself.

To explore ancient Corinth, it is best to set aside a full day. The modern village of Arhea Korinthos (the name itself translates as "Ancient Corinth") lies just along the edge of the main excavation site. Buses run here from the modern city literally every hour (from 8.00 to 21.00, travel time is about 20 minutes; 1 euro). According to legends, the city was founded by Corinth - one of the descendants of either Helios, or Zeus himself. According to modern data, people lived here already in the VI millennium BC. e., but in the III-II millennium BC. NS. the city was completely destroyed by unknown invaders and then rebuilt. By the classical period, it was already a large trade and political center, competing on equal terms with Athens and Thebes, and its women were considered the most beautiful in Hellas. However, several earthquakes subsequently practically razed it to the ground, and at the end of the 18th century, residents moved to the north, to the site of the modern city.

Now the ruins of the ancient city occupy a fairly large area between the mountains of Agios Dimitrios (574 m) and Kalderimi (93 m), and its acropolis Acrocorinth rises 565 meters above the plain. It should be borne in mind that the ruins of several cities at once, both Greek, Roman and Byzantine, are mixed here, so traveling between the ruins, many of which are still being unearthed, can be a tedious task. Only the central part of the ancient city, centered around the Roman forum and the classical temple of Apollo, has been preserved in the best condition and has been almost completely excavated (open to the public every day: in the summer - from 8.00 to 19.30; in the winter - from 8.00 to 17.00; 6 euros), the rest of the buildings can be found sometimes in the most unexpected places, even among the residential quarters of a modern village. Worth a visit is the Roman agora, a huge market between two porticos (once a multi-storey shopping center!), A bemu (a marble platform used for announcements and meetings), the ruins of a basilica and numerous Roman administrative buildings, a sacred spring enclosed by a grating, a Roman fountain and fragments of the Lecheon road lined with marble slabs (once the main road of the city). From the Temple of Apollo (5th century BC), only seven austere Doric columns, towering over the forum, have survived. To the west is the Corinth Museum (open at the same hours as the entire site, admission is included in the general ticket) with a good collection of Greek and Roman mosaics. Farther west, the foundations of two theaters were discovered - a Roman odeon and a large Greek one, used by the Romans for gladiatorial battles (including imitation of naval battles). And a little to the north lie the ruins of the temple of Asclepius (access is closed).

Overlooking the city of Akrokorinth (open daily from 8.00 to 19.00 in summer, Thursday to Sunday from 8.30 to 15.00 in winter; admission is free) crowns a massive rock and is still surrounded by old fortress walls (total length about 2 km). Despite the difficult four-kilometer climb to the gates of the fortress, a visit to it is definitely worth the effort. From here, there is a beautiful panorama of the Saronic and Corinthian gulfs, and in the jumble of temples, chapels, mosques, fountains, ancient buildings and battlements of all styles and eras, you can wander for hours.

The ancient city of Corinth in Greece is the best place to start exploring the ancient culture of this beautiful Mediterranean country. According to archaeologists and historians, it was this city that was the first settlement on the modern territory of Hellas. There are two cities with this name in Greece, but Old Corinth has the greatest historical and cultural significance.

A bit of history

The largest and most prosperous city was at Corinth. It was founded in the 7th century BC. NS. and had an advantageous strategic position. It made it possible to control the isthmus that connected the Peloponnese with the rest of Greece.

Ancient Corinth was a thriving trading city that allowed it to develop faster than other Hellenic cities. But in 146 BC. NS. the center of trade was destroyed by the Roman consul. Of the entire population, only a few wealthy families were able to survive, who managed to escape to the island of Delos.

But in 44 BC. NS. by order of Julius Caesar, Corinth was restored. People of various nationalities became its inhabitants, and in a short period of time it again became a thriving trading city.

New town

In 1858, the old city was completely destroyed, and a new one was founded 3 km away. Now New Corinth in Greece is the second most populous city in the Peloponnese. Due to its location, it is an important transport center, providing water connections between the western Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. Also in the northern part there is a port, where a variety of goods are delivered.

Corinth in Greece is also a highly developed industrial city. Not far from it there is an oil refining center. There are also factories for the production of medical equipment, salt, ceramics, marble and others. Corinth continues to be a dynamic and prosperous city.

sights

Old majestic Corinth was destroyed by an earthquake in 1858. The authorities decided not to restore it, but to move it a little further. In its place, only ruins remained and an open-air museum was made, where you can look at the unique monuments of the ancient civilization. But there are several main and popular tourist attractions in Corinth in Greece.

1. The Corinth Canal - although it does not belong to architectural values, it must be visited to admire the most beautiful views.
2. The ruins of the old city are a great opportunity to touch the ancient history and imagine all the greatness of Old Corinth.
3. Temple of Apollo - the remnants of a once majestic structure rise above the place where there used to be rows of shops. Despite the fact that only 7 of 40 columns have survived, tourists can imagine all the grandeur of this structure.
4. Acrocorinth is another of the famous landmarks of Corinth. This is a hill on which there were various fortifications and observation towers. At the very top are the ruins of the temple of Aphrodite. From the observation deck, you can admire one of the most beautiful views of the city.
5. Archaeological Museum - consists of three rooms, which display exhibits from ancient times to the present. Visitors can look at how the life of people was arranged in different eras.

The ancient city is part of the cultural and historical heritage of Greece. It was home to many people of different nationalities with their own cultural traditions. And this made it a unique city, which is why it is very important to preserve what is left of Old Corinth so that people can touch and imagine its greatness.

Museums

In Corinth, in addition to the ruins of ancient temples and other structures, there are also museums, where interesting exhibitions are presented.

1. Historical and folklore - was created in order to find and preserve various folklore materials, as well as to make them available to a wide audience. In its exposition you can see women's and men's suits from various Greek provinces, items made of silver, wood, metal, household items, fabrics, and embroidery.
2. Ecclesiastical Museum - was built in 1971 to store icons and other church relics.
3. Municipal Art Gallery - Opened in 1998. Its exposition contains paintings by the artist Sotiris Pilaninos and some works from his personal fund.

A visit to these museums will allow tourists to feel not only the atmosphere of Greece of antiquity, but also modern, respecting the traditions and culture of its people.

If you travel to Greece during the summer, it is best to do your sightseeing in the early morning. So you can avoid the heat and enjoy the beauty without haste. Also, if you do not know the history of Ancient Greece very well, buy a tour in which you will be told all the most interesting about the city. By the way, in the vicinity of Corinth there is Kalamia beach. It is perfectly equipped and is constantly awarded the honorary Blue Flag, which means that beach lovers and others will be able to relax perfectly and comfortably.

It is separated from Greece by a narrow, Corinthian, isthmus. And already on its territory there is a city of the same name with a population of about thirty thousand people. Modern Corinth rebuilt when the ancient polis was destroyed by the 1858 earthquake. But the strength tests of the city residents did not end there: it was again destroyed in 1928 during the next earthquake. And again the city was rebuilt from scratch.

The city of Corinth greets you

Today, the third largest city of the peninsula is divided into two parts - at a distance of three kilometers from each other. One is modern, the other is with the remnants of bygone times, this is -. The first policy is highly developed economically, with a modern industrial industry and diversified logistics. To the north, on the coast, a port is located for sending products for export and receiving raw materials for processing.

Tourists will reach Ancient Corinth within fifteen - twenty minutes from the corner of Kolokotroni and Koliatsu streets. There are flights to the interior of the peninsula.

Corinth on the map

Corinth city in Greece

Corinth is a 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, in the east - by the Saronic Sea.

After an earthquake in 1858, a modern city was built three kilometers northeast of the destroyed city. The Corinth Canal was also built near the city, it connects the Mediterranean with the Aegean, going out into 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 more than 100 km 2, and about 58,000 people live here. To call Corinth, you need to dial the Greece phone code +30 and directly the Corinth code 27410.

Hotels in Corinth

We invite you to get acquainted with a small overview of hotels in the city of Corinth, so that you can make an impression and, perhaps, have chosen one of them. We have prepared hotels with a high rating, which has been earned by hotels thanks to a large number of positive reviews from tourists.

The family-run Jo Marinis Rooms are located in Ancient Corinth, right next to the Archaeological Museum. The windows offer a beautiful view of the mountain or the garden that surrounds the hotel. Thanks to the friendly service and convenient location, the hotel has a good rating and positive reviews.

Another highly-rated hotel is located in Ancient Corinth, next to the castle. This is Vasilios Marinos Rooms bed and breakfast. Rooms overlook the garden, mountain or Acrocorinth. Here you can choose the type of food you want to eat in the dining area, while light meals and drinks are available at the snack bar. By the way, the food in this hotel is highly rated by tourists.

The Ephira Hotel is built in the heart of Corinth. You can enjoy a cup of coffee on the hotel's shaded terrace or on the leather sofas in the lobby. Xylokastro Resort with beautiful Blue Flag beaches is 40 km away.

Not far from the Corinth Canal is the Isthmia Prime Hotel. Breakfast is buffet style, while the café offers light meals, snacks and coffees. 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 the convenient location of the hotel contribute to its high rating.

Transport in Corinth

It is easy to get to Corinth from the Athens airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" by train. Trains leave 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 hour and will take you to Corinth in 90 minutes. Departure is from the Leoforia Peloponnisou station.

There are three bus stations in Corinth itself. From the first, which is located next to the train 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 in Greece.

Corinth on a map of Greece

The map clearly shows the location of Corinth - on the isthmus between the Peloponnese and Central Greece. To get a better look at 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 the special section Weather in Greece on our website.

Attractions of Corinth: what to see

Ancient Corinth is the main attraction of the city. You can get to the Ancient City, which is 3 km from the modern one, by bus in 15 minutes. There you will see the Temple of Apollo, which towers over the ruins of the ancient Roman agora, as well as the Sacred Spring and the tribune in the north of the agora in an open area where the Apostle Paul defended himself and Christianity in front of the Corinthian proconsul Gallio. You can also look at the ruins of the Pyrenees - this was the main source of drinking water. The Corinthian theater was used not only for its intended purpose, but also for holding gladiator fights. In the north, there are the ruins of Asklepion. There you can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Corinth, the cost of visiting which is already included in the ticket price 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 was once the temple of Aphrodite, and today it offers a breathtaking view. The entrance is free, but the climb up the hill can seem tiring and long.

The Corinth Canal is the pride of the city. An engineering structure connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic, which is very important in terms of transport.

Corinth beaches

The beaches of Loutraki, Lake Vouliagmeni, Strava, Isthmia, Leheo, Kokkoni, Neratza, Kato Dimino, Melissi, Xylokastro, Likoporte, Derveni stretch along the Gulf of Corinth. Along the Saronic Gulf stretch the beaches of Ayon Theodoron, Kalamaki, after Isthmia - Palio Kalamaki, Kehries, between Almiri and Korfosos there are the virgin beaches of Lichnari, Fragkolimano, Micro Amoni, Megalo Amoni, Kalogerolimano.

Let's talk about the most popular beaches near Corinth.

Kalamia is a 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.

The resort of Xylokastro has the best beaches in all of Corinthia and is regularly awarded the Blue Flag. Here you can practice water sports and just sunbathe and swim.

Aristonouton is a 30 meters wide pebble beach. Interestingly, salt trees are planted along the beach, which are not afraid of sea water. Another pebble beach - Sykia - is 750 meters long and 10 to 25 meters wide in different parts. These beaches are also marked with "Blue Flags" for their cleanliness and environmental friendliness.

The Blue Flag Melissi Beach is 5 km from Xylokastro. A long pebble beach is equipped with everything you need for a wonderful holiday; along the beach there are cafes and taverns where you can enjoy national Greek dishes.

Pefkias is a small pebble beach - holder of the "Blue Flag" - located in the resort of Diminio, next to a dense pine forest. On the beach, you can rent a motorbike or bicycle, book a tour of Corinthia, or participate in landscaping or beach cleaning.

Also marked with the "Blue Flag" is the 2-kilometer pebble beach of the resort of Loutraki. On the beach, you can rent a catamaran, motor boat or rowing boat.

Located 2.5 km from Loutraki, Poseidon Resort is a pebbly beach of Bootsi, which is home to oleanders, lemon, pistachio and olive trees. The entrance to the beach for those staying at the hotel is free, the rest will have to pay - and it will be possible to use not only sun loungers and umbrellas, but also parking, swimming pools, and a tennis court. The beach has been awarded a Blue Flag, and the hotel hosts drawing and photography contests and tree care activities.