Where is the city of Corinth located? A story about an independent trip to Greece: report on a trip to Corinth
The city on the site of modern New Corinth arose, flourished and was completely destroyed several times. This is one of ancient cities Hellas with a long, albeit intermittent, history.
The first large settlement under the hill arose in the Neolithic, at least 6 thousand years ago. Representatives of non-Indo-European peoples who arrived by sea from the western part of Asia Minor settled here. They were excellent potters and stonemasons. The second wave of settlers, also from the east, brought with them the art of metalworking. The city flourished, but was destroyed and abandoned by its inhabitants for six centuries at the end of the 3rd millennium BC. e., when semi-wild tribes poured into the north from the north.
The name Corinth is believed to be of ancient non-Indo-European origin. If so, then the old name returned after a period of naming Ephyra (clearly a Greek place name) along with a local legend about the founding of the city by a certain ancient Greek hero Corinth, supposedly the son of Zeus. According to another legend, the city was founded not by Corinth, but by Sisyphus (judging by Homer’s description, an extremely unreliable, self-interested, cunning and vicious man who constantly violated the code of hospitality...). However, in the myths about the first kings of Corinth there are a lot of discrepancies: in one version, Sisyphus is called the direct successor of Corinth, who took revenge on the local residents for his murder; in another, after the death of Corinth, the townspeople transferred power to Jason and Medea, and after them Sisyphus received the throne; in the third, King Creon, who received Jason and Medea, is called “a descendant of Sisyphus.” Another myth says that one day Poseidon and Helios argued over Corinth, and it was decided that the Isthmus of Corinth belonged to Poseidon, and Acrocorinth to Helios. A comparison of several chronicles allows us to attribute the foundation of Acrocorinth (protected by a triple fortress wall) upper city"on a hill, with the temple of Aphrodite and the source of the Upper Pyrenees) by 1514 BC. e.
The main center of the Peloponnese in the 16th-11th centuries. BC e. there was Mycenae, and Corinth was one of the Mycenaean kingdoms. After the Dorian invasion and the “Bronze Age catastrophe,” Corinth is already considered a Dorian state; The Dorian Alet founded a new dynasty in Corinth. At the beginning of the classical period, Corinth at one time dominated the peninsula. The Corinthians grew rich not only through crafts (the production of bronze items, textiles, black-figure ceramics and tiles) and trade: local residents controlled the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and took tolls for traveling on roads and for dragging ships. The city was a center of trade and entertainment, the extravagance (and immorality) of its inhabitants became a proverb: “Not everyone can visit Corinth” in the sense of “Dear things are not available to everyone.” The Isthmian Games in Corinth were the second most important after the Olympic Games.
Some of the inhabitants migrated to the north (for example, Kerkyra, modern Corfu) and to the south (Syracuse in Sicily). Relations between the mother city and the colonies were not cloudless: thus, the separatist sentiments of Kerkyra worsened by the 7th century. BC e. so much so that they led to the first naval battle in Greek history (c. 664 BC).
In 602 BC. e. The tyrant of Corinth, Periander, wanted to dig a canal and went to the oracle for a blessing, but the Pythia forbade him to dig the isthmus. And the engineers advised against it, fearing flooding of the land due to the difference in water levels in the bays. Instead, the old portage of Diolok was paved with stone blocks and equipped with something like rails along which carts transported ships. Periander ruled for 40 years, managing to do a lot of useful things for Corinth, which flourished under him; however, he was a quick-tempered, vindictive and cruel person. His weaker successor lasted three years in power and was killed; after this, a period of decline began in Corinth, and it lost its position to Athens and Sparta.
Old Corinth, of which only ruins remain 5 km from New Corinth, was one of the largest capitals peace. There were two ports on the shores of the Corinthian and Saronic gulfs; in the harbors there are docks to accommodate a large fleet. Archaeological excavations have brought to light the remains of an archaic temple, a forum, a market, the Pirena fountain, public baths, shopping arcades along a paved road with covered sidewalks, the ruins of a basilica, fragments of mosaics and statues.
As punishment for the uprising in 146 BC. e. wiped out Corinth, which was the last major trading competitor of the Romans in the Mediterranean (just shortly before this, the Romans destroyed Carthage to the ground). A century later, the capital of the Roman province of Achaia was built in its place with the name Corinth, Julia's glory.
Having survived along with many other policies Ancient Greece a period of political and economic crisis, Corinth became dependent on Macedonia. By the will of Philip II of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great), the Corinthian Union of Greek city-policies arose, united in the winter of 338/337 BC. e. for the war with Persia. Later in 243, Corinth joined the revived Achaean League, which united the northern Peloponnese to drive out the tyrants and Macedonian garrisons; but as a result of the unsuccessful Cleomenes War with Sparta (229-222 BC), the Achaean League collapsed and Corinth in 223 BC e. again recognized the hegemony of the Macedonian king (Antigone III Doson). Then there was the Allied War (220-217 BC) and the 1st Macedonian War (215-204 BC), and then Rome came into play (before that it was busy with its own problems , fighting with the Carthaginian army of Hannibal). Rome gained the sympathy of the Achaean oligarchy by convincing them that it would free the Hellenes from Macedonian dependence. In the 2nd Macedonian War (199-197 BC), Rome won and forced the Macedonian king Philip V to renounce all Greek possessions. At the Isthmian Games, the Roman commander Titus Quintius Flamininus solemnly announced the “freedom of the Hellenes” and placed Corinth at the head of the new Achaean League. However, in the 3rd Macedonian War, the Achaeans did not support the Romans: adhering to neutrality, they hoped that Rome and Macedonia would weaken each other and Greece would finally be able to pursue a more independent policy. When Macedonia was defeated and turned into a Roman province, the sympathies of the Achaeans were on the side of the Macedonians. As they say, choose the lesser of two evils. But it was too late: Rome no longer needed the Achaean League and was doomed. In 147, the Roman ambassador announced a Senate decree on the “liberation of cities,” that is, on the exclusion from the Achaean League of cities “unrelated to the Achaeans” - Sparta, Argos, Orchomenus and even Corinth! Anti-Roman unrest, almost a revolution, began everywhere. The Corinthians were outraged, pogroms began, and the Roman embassy hastily left the city.
The general battle between Roman and Achaean troops took place at Leukopetra on Isthmus near Corinth in 146 BC. e. The Achaean League was defeated. The Roman commander Lucius Mummius ordered all Corinthian men to be killed, and the women and children were sold into slavery. The only memory left of that city is the Acrocorinth fortress and several columns of the Temple of Apollo.
Life of Corinth, Julian glory (this became official name) was revived a century later by order of Julius Caesar. In 44 BC. e. the city was rebuilt as the capital of the Roman province of Achaia (southern Greece). It was a completely Romanized city, inhabited by Italians, Greeks and Jews (in 51 AD, the Apostle Paul preached in the Corinthian synagogue for a year and a half, leaving behind a large Christian community; this was the very beginning of his missionary activity). During the Roman period, Corinth again eclipsed Athens and, in general, all the cities of Hellas. Unlike ancient Greek buildings, ancient Roman Corinth is well preserved. Even the ancient platform in the center of the agora, from which the Apostle Paul once preached, has been preserved. All the most interesting finds are collected in archaeological museum Corinth.
At the beginning of our era, Corinth suffered several times from earthquakes and barbarian invasions (the Heruli in 267, the Goths of Alaric in 395). There followed a period of decline with a short revival under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, who restored some of the buildings and built the 10-km Examilio Wall across the entire isthmus to protect against invasions from the north. In the Middle Ages, the fortress of Acrocorinth passed from hand to hand: it was alternately owned by the Byzantines, Normans, Franks, Venetians and Turks. The Temple of Aphrodite was converted first into a Christian church, then into a mosque. In 1858, Old Corinth was destroyed by a strong earthquake. They did not restore it, but built New Corinth a little to the side.
General information
Location: ancient Greek polis and modern city (5 km from the ancient one) on the Isthmian (Corinthian) isthmus connecting the Peloponnese peninsula with mainland Greece.Administrative affiliation: capital of the prefecture (nome) of Corinthia, Greece.
Ancient name: Ether.
Date of foundation: the first settlement appeared in the Neolithic; the ancient Greek polis was founded presumably in 1514 BC. e. Destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC. e. Roman Corinth, Julian glory - founded in 44 BC. e. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1858. Archaeological excavations have been ongoing since 1929.
Language: Greek.
Religion: Orthodoxy.
Ethnic composition: Greeks.
Currency: euro.
Numbers
Old Corinth
Population: up to 500 thousand people. in the Roman era.
Length of the walls of the ancient city: OK. 16 km.
New Corinth
Area: 102.2 km2.
Population: 58,280 people. (2011)
Population density: 570.3 people/km 2 .
Distance from Athens: 78 km.
Corinth Canal(built in 1881-1893): length 6346 m, width at sea level - 24.6 m, depth 8 m, slope height up to 79 m.
Climate and weather
Mediterranean, mild wet winters and hot dry summers.Average January temperature: +10°С.
Average temperature in July: +28°С.
Average annual precipitation: 400 mm.
Economy
Old Corinth
Important source of income- fees for crossing the Isthmian Isthmus in all directions (by roads and through portages).Traditional crafts: pottery (industrial production of tiles, production of the famous black-figure ceramics), weaving, bronze processing, construction, shipbuilding.
Services: trade, land and sea transportation, portage across the isthmus, ship repair (two ports), organization of the Isthmian Games and other entertainment.
New Corinth
Large industrial (oil refining) center, but there is a process of deindustrialization: paper and textile production, a plant for packaging meat products were closed.Transport hub(Corinth Canal).
Industry: mining (gypsum, marble, salt, gum), oil refining (large complex 12 km from the city), metallurgical (copper cable production), agro-food industry.
Service sector: hub transport center(Corinth Canal), trade (export of agricultural products), tourism.
Attractions
Natural
■ Acrocorinth Rock, Pyrenees Fountain on Acrocorinth.
Antique
■ Seven columns of an archaic temple, rock-cut cisterns of the Glaucus fountain, ruins from the Roman period - everything that remained in sight before the excavations began.■ Remains of the walls of the ancient city, connected to the walls, with a total length of approx. 16 km.
■ Two city harbors - Cenchrea on the Saronic Gulf and Lechaea on the shores of the Gulf of Corinth.
■ Remains of a paved Lehei road with covered sidewalks.
■ Portico of captives with colossal figures of captive barbarians (2nd century BC)
■ Tribune on the northern agora (the Apostle Paul preached from it).
■ Remains of the Julian Basilica with statues.
■ 165-meter South and North-West pillar (a long gallery-portico with a double row of Ionic columns) with benches and wells.
■ Forum (a square with shops and administrative buildings, including the Senate building).
■ Temples of the Roman era; ruins of the Odeon indoor theater; public baths.
Modern
■ Corinth Canal.■ Architectural Museum of Corinth with interesting finds archaeological excavations.
Curious facts
■ Ancient Greek geographer of the 2nd century. n. e. Pausanias, in his book “Description of Hellas,” cites a Corinthian myth about a dispute between Poseidon, the sea, and Helios, the sun. The judge in this case was Briareus, one of the Hecatoncheires, who decided that the Isthmus of Corinth belonged to Poseidon, and Acrocorinth to Helios. From the same book: “The spring behind the temple is said to have been a gift from Asopus to Sisyphus. According to legend, the latter knew that Zeus had kidnapped Asopus’ daughter Aegina, but refused to give any information until he received a source in Acrocorinth for himself.”■ According to the ancient Greek legend, popularized by Euripides, Jason wished to marry Glauce, the daughter of the Corinthian king, and abandoned Medea. She took revenge on all the offenders and disappeared on a winged chariot drawn by dragons sent by her grandfather Helios (or Hecate). The playwright's contemporaries argued that Euripides attributed the murder of the boys to their mother, and not to the Corinthians, as earlier versions of the legend claimed, for a huge bribe. In this way, the Corinthians tried to clear the good name of the city.
■ More than a thousand priestesses served at the Corinthian temple of the goddess of love Aphrodite. They served in a unique way, with their bodies, essentially differing little from prostitutes.
■ In Corinth, Alexander the Great met the Cynic philosopher Diogenes. According to legend, the king invited Diogenes to ask him for whatever he wanted, and the philosopher replied, “Don’t block the sun for me.”
■ The Corinthian order, one of the three Greek architectural orders, is a heavily decorated (stylized acanthus leaf) Ionic order. Vitruvius reports that the Corinthian order was invented by the sculptor Callimachus from Corinth in the 2nd half of the 5th century BC. e. The prototype of the new order was the acanthus-covered basket with her belongings that the sculptor saw in the cemetery, on the grave of a recently deceased girl. Therefore, the Corinthian order is also called the maiden order (in contrast to the male Doric and female Ionic).
■ Attempts to dig the Corinth Canal have been going on since ancient times. After the Corinthian tyrant Periander (307 BC), first Julius Caesar, then Caligula, were concerned with plans to build a canal, and Nero even began grandiose work, gathering 6,000 slaves to build the canal. But due to the uprising in Rome, he had to give up everything, and his successor closed the expensive project.
Corinth is the “gateway” to the Peloponnese, as it is also called. This is the second most populous nome of the peninsula. Located in its northeast. The area of the room is 2300 sq. km. In the west the region borders on Achaia, in the south on Argolis and Arcadia, and on the east on Attica. One part of it is washed by the Saronic Gulf, a small part in the north of the region by the Gulf of Corinth, on the coast of which there are amazing cities, tourist and economic centers: Corinth, Loutraki, Vrachati, Kiato, Xylokastro, Derveni. The islands of Alcyonides also belong to the region of Corinthia.
On the blessed land of Corinth, according to archaeological data, they arose and developed as early as 5 millennia BC. e. amazing cultures. Corinth is also mentioned in ancient Greek myths: in these places the great Hercules performed two of his exploits - he dealt with the Nemean lion and man-eating birds.
The population of Corinth during its heyday reached a very large figure - 600 thousand people, mainly engaged in trade. An important source of income for the Corinthians was the fairly high transit tax imposed on everything that was transported through its territory. This important economic and geographical significance of the region has survived to this day.
Get to cities and mountain villages Corinth is very easy. From Corinth and Loutraki it is only about 80 km to Athens, and about 150 km to the famous mountain villages of Stymphalia. The developed road network of the Athens-Corinth National Highway and railway passes through Corinth.
The region is mountainous, semi-mountainous and flat. On its territory there are 2 lakes of indescribable beauty: Stymphalia, in the magical mountainous Corinthia, and Vouliagmeni, near the village of Perachora in Loutraki. Corinthia is a place where past and present harmoniously combine.
The capital of the region is Corinth. The population of the region is about 400 thousand inhabitants.
The Corinth Canal - the shortest road from the Aegean to the Ionian Sea - is the calling card of Corinthia. The construction of this miracle, almost 6.5 km long and more than 20 meters wide, was started by the Roman Emperor Nero. But the canal began to operate only at the end of the 19th century. Dug almost by hand, it is still the pride of the Greeks.
Modern Corinth is the second largest city in the region, next to which is the famous Isthmus of Corinth with its canal connecting the two seas - the Aegean and Ionian. Corinth is a vibrant economic center that lies between Attica and the Peloponnese, making it important as a transit point between the two regions. Its population is about 60 thousand people. Athens is 78 km from here. This is an important transport center, providing not only road, rail, but also sea communications, thanks to its port. Most goods produced in Greece are exported from here. This is also the modern industrial center of Greece. The output of its oil refining complex, one of the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean, is destined for the whole of Greece. Corinth enterprises produce copper cables, medical equipment, tiles, gum, salt, mineral water and various drinks, meat products. Marble and gypsum are mined here.
More details
The patron saint of the city is St. Paul, whose temple is located in the city center. This is where most of the shops are located. In Corinth, it is worth seeing the House of Justice, the National Bank building and El Square. Venezelos with a monument to the winged Pegasus, which is considered the symbol of the city.
The city's museums are interesting - church and historical-ethnographic.
Modern Corinth is a continuation of ancient Corinth, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1858. After this, a new city was built southeast of the ancient port of Leheu on the shores of the Gulf of Corinth.
The founder of the dynasty of kings of ancient Corinth is considered to be the mythical Sisyphus. In Corinth, the last meeting of Jason, the leader of the Argonauts, with the Colchian queen Medea took place. Already during the classical period, the city was a rival of Thebes and Athens, who fought for dominance in trade and transportation across the Isthmian Isthmus. Here, near the Temple of Poseidon, the Isthmian Games took place. The “Corinthian order” was also created in Corinth, one of the architectural orders of ancient Greece, differing in complexity and splendor from the other two. It is characterized by “Corinthian” columns with acanthus leaves and ornaments on the pediments of temples. The city also had a temple of Heterae, dedicated to Aphrodite. In Corinth, the Apostle Paul, who preached here, wrote his famous “Epistle to the Corinthians” and created the first Christian community in Greece. Here he was tried for promoting Christianity.
Sights and excursions
Today in Corinth you can see the archaeological reserve located at the foot of Agrocorinth. On its territory there are preserved the remains of the Temple of Apollo (VI century BC) with 7 monolithic columns that once made up the outer colonnade of the temple, the ruins of other temples, porticoes, a fountain, and basilicas.
Acrocorinth
The largest and oldest castle in the Peloponnese. Located near the city. It was built on the ruins of an ancient acropolis, for which Apollo and Poseidon fought. The castle walls with towers, Muslim tombs and minarets built during the period when the castle was owned by the Turks, and the remains of the temple of the goddess Aphrodite have been preserved. From the height of 565 m, at which the fortress was built, a beautiful view opens up.
The museum exhibits artifacts discovered on and around the acropolis: objects from ancient and Byzantine eras.
Monastery of Our Lady of Faneromeni
The Monastery of Our Lady of the Rocks, as this monastery is otherwise called, was built in a crevice of a huge rock. It is always open to visitors who want to enjoy the view from here. This is the “Meteora” of Corinthia.
Stymphalia
Lake Stymphalia, praised for its beauty, is the northernmost and most big lake Peloponnese. This is the link between myths and historical reality. This is the place where the famous Hercules performed his feats: he fought the Stymphalian man-eating birds. Today, the shores of the lake resemble a light brown carpet, on the banks of which you will find partridges, ibis and egrets. In a large area between the modern village of Stymphalia and the lake are the ruins of the Abbey of Zaraka, one of the few Gothic monuments in Greece.
Agia Theodora
This is the first locality on the way to Corinthia, when you enter the region from the north, in the area of Ancient Kromiona. Majestic mountains Gerania tower over the village, which takes its name from the church of the same name. It is an important seaside tourist resort of Corinthia, a pole of attraction for tourists and perfect place for walks.
Blue sea, small picturesque taverns, traditional cuisine and a relaxing holiday on the shores of the Saronic Gulf.
Isthmus Isthmus
From the very beginning, this isthmus represented an important strategic point for both Greece and the entire Eastern Mediterranean. Its discovery was already one of the most important issues in ancient times, since the creation of a canal would solve many problems of shipping and trade. Periander, the tyrant of Corinth, was the first to plan to dig it, around 602 BC. e., which, in the end, limited itself only to the creation of Diolk - a portage across the isthmus. Dimitrios Poliorkitis, Julius Caesar, Caligula and Nero studied this issue and tried to build a canal, but all without success. Herod of Attius, the Byzantines and the Venetians were all fans of this idea of Periander. But they also later abandoned this idea for various reasons. Finally, after getting rid of the Turkish yoke, the newly created Greek state brought this idea to life. In 1852, Greek engineers, and ten years later French engineers, presented their proposals for the construction of a canal to the Greek parliament. Both of them were unreal. And only after opening Suez Canal The Greek government decided to build a canal across the isthmus. Over the 100 years of its existence, it was closed many times for various reasons. Until 1940, the canal did not operate for a total of 4 years. In 1940, the Germans, leaving Greece, dumped about 60,000 cubic meters of earth into it. It took 5 years to clear the canal.
Every year, up to 15,000 ships under a variety of flags pass through this most famous canal in Greece. This is the “umbilical cord” connecting the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.
Monastery of Potapia the Blessed
This is a majestic monastery located near Loutraki, at an altitude of 700 m, to which 144 steps lead. At each of them, it is believed that the believer sheds some of his sins. The monastery houses the relics of Blessed Potapius, and believers from all over the world come to venerate them. This convent, but you can always visit it.
Lake Vouliagmeni
This lake is natural phenomenon. The tide occurs here at 6 o'clock, thanks to the fact that a 5-meter canal connects it to the sea. The water in the lake is much saltier than sea water.
Nemea
The history of this ancient city associated with myths about the exploits of Hercules. Here he killed a terrible lion that brought fear to its inhabitants. In ancient Nemea, competitions similar to the Olympics were held every 2 years. In the sanctuary of Zeus, part of the temple complex on the territory of which the games were held, the remains of ancient baths, a stadium that could accommodate 40 thousand spectators, which was shaped like a petal, with an entrance tunnel, seats for spectators and the names of athletes written on the walls, and the remains of other buildings were discovered .
In the not very large but interesting city museum you will see architectural details of the Temple of Zeus, a collection of silver and copper coins, and projectiles used by ancient athletes.
Nowadays Nemea is famous for its wines. Here they make simple table wines and first-class wines that have won international recognition.
In the town of Corinthos there is the only water park in Southern Greece.
The climate in the region is mainly temperate, Mediterranean, with mild winters and not too hot summers.
Seaside holidays and beaches
Kalamya
The main and easily accessible coast of Corinth takes its name from the reed thickets that grew here before the region began to develop as a tourist destination. It is located very close to the city. You can get to it along An Street. Papandreou, which abuts the coast. In this cosmopolitan and modern coastal area, you can choose between endless strolls along the promenade or enjoying the pleasant atmosphere in its many café bars. You can eat at one of its restaurants. The embankment is a meeting and relaxing place for all ages, as local residents, and tourists. From here, walkers can watch a magical sunset as the evening sun plunges into the waters of the Gulf of Corinth.
Kalamya is beautiful and organized sandy beach with fine sand surrounded by pebbles. IN recent years regularly awarded the EU Blue Flag. Very well organized. This great place for recreation of young people, for whom discos and concerts are held at night.
Xylokastro
This is a wonderful medical town with its own special atmosphere and wide choice for relaxation. Located in the south of the Gulf of Corinth. It probably got its name from the wooden barracks that once existed on the western side of the hill overlooking the modern city, near the Sypha River. This is the center for the production of Stafida raisins. Thanks to the rise in trade in this product, the town attracted the attention of Europeans, who began to come here to see the beautiful Pevkja and enjoy the clear sea. The coast has been awarded the EU Blue Flag. There is an opportunity to study marine species sports. That is why we advise you to visit it.
Around Xylokastro are the most popular beaches in Corinthia, many of which have been awarded the EU Blue Flag.
Aristonauton
The length of this pebble beach is 800 m, width – 30 m. “Salt” trees grow along its shore, which are not afraid of sea water. Landscaped. Located within the city limits.
Sykia
The beach is covered with pebbles. Its length is more than 700 m, and its width is from 10 to 25 m. It is located 3 km from Xylokastro. Salt trees grow on the beach. Awarded the EU Blue Flag.
Melissa
Located 5 km from Xylokastro, near the village of the same name. The length of the coast is more than 1 km, the narrowest sections are up to 10 m. In the widest part, the beach reaches 25 m. It is covered with pebbles. Surrounded by salt trees. Awarded the Blue Flag. There are many hotels and cafes near the beach.
Loutra Oreas Elenis
This large pebble and well-organized beach is located southeast of Corinth. There are umbrellas, sun loungers and taverns on the beach. There is an opportunity to engage in sea sports. The most “daring” ones can make a stop in front of the beach, at the healing springs in which, as myths tell, the Beautiful Helen swam. The area is named after her. The water of the springs flowing down the rocks is unusually cold. Only well-seasoned people can withstand swimming in it.
About 2.5 km to the east is Kathakali, a beautiful bay with very small pebbles.
Leheu
This is a large coastline with clear sea and a beach with fine sand. In recent years it has become important resort place, with large and small hotel complexes.
Pevkakja
Beautiful coastline with white pebbles and pine trees surrounding it. Gathers a large number of vacationers in the summer. There are 2 tennis courts and a cafe-restaurant. In the western part there are all the coastal night entertainment centers of the area.
Vrahati
It is located west of Corinth, at a distance of 12 km. Located in a region covered with dense green vegetation. It is considered an excellent resort center.
Vouliagmeni
One of the most beautiful lagoons in Greece, Lake Vouliagmeni, is surrounded by a pine forest. There are many hotel complexes, organized camping, restaurants and fish taverns offering fresh fish caught in these places and wonderful snacks.
Along the road to Epidaurus, between Almiri and Korfos, lie the pristine beaches of Likhnari, Fragkolimano, Mikro Amoni, Megalo Amoni and Kalogerolimano.
Address: Greece, 5 km from Corinth
Main attractions: Temple of Apollo, Roman Baths, Amphitheater
Coordinates: 37°54"21.7"N 22°52"44.9"E
Brief description
Most travelers visiting Greece in order to get acquainted with a huge number of attractions, historical monuments and architecture of the ancient people, first of all go to Athens.
Ancient street
However, according to most guides, this route is wrong for people interested in Greek history. It cannot be said that in Athens and the area surrounding the city there are few ruins, ancient temples and sanctuaries. Not at all, but it would be more correct to start getting acquainted with Ancient Greece from the city of Corinth, which, according to historians, is the first settlement to appear on the territory belonging to a modern European state.
Surprisingly, the name Corinth bears not one city, but two, the distance between them is just over three kilometers. The first Corinth is the oldest city, and the second, rebuilt relatively recently, “only” at the end of the 19th century. The most attractive for a person interested in the sights and ruins of temples that were built before our era is undoubtedly old Corinth. It is considered a “natural” museum, with numerous exhibits located directly in the open air.
Ruins of an ancient city
If a tourist is taken to ancient Corinth, then he should know that this “dead” city is separated from the capital of modern Greece by a distance of almost eighty kilometers. A car ride to Old Corinth will take no more than an hour and a half. However, it takes almost the same amount of time to get to the museum city and sightseeing bus. The once powerful and rich Corinth is located on the Isthmian Isthmus. If you look at the ruins of Corinth, which were left behind by the powerful earthquake that occurred in 1858, from a bird's eye view, you can immediately draw a certain conclusion. In ancient times, the city was of great strategic importance - from its ports it was possible to exit into two bays at once Aegean Sea: Corinthian and Saronic.
Ancient Corinth - the foundation and origin of the city's name
Speaking about the foundation and origin of the name of the ancient city, it should immediately be noted that the versions put forward by modern historians are mostly based on archaeological excavations, which, by the way, began in Greece only at the dawn of the 20th century. Alas, too few documents, chronicles and descriptions of the city by ancient travelers were found to speak with confidence about the origin and purpose of the ruins of a particular building located on the territory of old Corinth. However, modern technologies, the tireless and painstaking work of archaeologists, have made it possible to assume that the first settlers appeared here 6 thousand years (!) BC.
There are even myths that tell about the origin of the city's name. According to the first legend, the settlement was founded by the ancient king of Corinth, who was born from the love affair of the daughter of a titan named Ocean and the god Helios, often called Ether. The second myth says that the city of Corinth was created by Sisyphus. The same legend tells that it was in Corinth that the well-known Argonaut Jason abandoned the beautiful Medea, who went mad with grief and burned the city. By the way, even if we have the courage to assume that this myth is not fiction, then Corinth burned in those days not the last time. This ancient city was too tasty a morsel for numerous conquerors.
More reliable sources that could tell us about the origin of the name of the city have not been found these days. It could not have been otherwise: numerous captures of Corinth and destructive earthquakes destroyed most of the ancient chronicles and buildings that could shed light on the history of the city during the Neolithic.
Temple of Apollo
Corinth - the story of the rise and fall of the ancient city
As mentioned above, Corinth had two important ports that allowed its merchants to access the bays of the sea. This could only mean one thing: the townspeople could trade successfully, which means they were provided with everything they needed. It is worth noting that before the capture of Corinth by the Romans, it was more influential and powerful than the great Athens. If in Athens the sages talked about the purpose of man in this world, and in Sparta warriors improved their martial arts and often died en masse in bloody battles, then the Corinthians were much more pragmatic: they carried on uninterrupted trade with neighboring cities and even other countries.
In addition, there is confirmed evidence that in the 7th century BC, during the reign of Periander, the city even founded its own colonies, in particular, a colony in Albania. Corinth was also one of the nine powerful cities that created the colony of Naucradite, which allowed trade with Ancient Egypt. It is also interesting that some historians classify Periander as one of the legendary “seven wise men.” It was he who tried to be the first to dig a canal that would connect the Saronic and Corinthian Gulfs.
To be fair, it is worth clarifying that the ancient ruler failed to do this. Looking far ahead, I would like to say that Periander’s idea was brought to life only in 1893. After the reign of Periander, the city experienced prosperity. Even an ancient proverb has survived to this day, which roughly reads: “Not everyone can sail to Corinth.” It can only be interpreted this way: in a luxurious city, the most powerful in all of Ancient Greece, life was very expensive. Only a native of Corinth or a wealthy guest could afford to enjoy all the benefits.
In Corinth, a beautiful temple of prostitutes rose and delighted everyone... Yes, yes, you heard right, it is the temple of prostitutes! This is not surprising, because this profession is much older than Corinth itself. This temple was dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, who, as is known from ancient Greek myths, was the patroness of love, including carnal love.
Amphitheater
The people of Corinth managed to think everything through so much that they practically didn’t have to work. According to some sources, the indigenous population of ancient Corinth was neither more nor less - 300 thousand people, which at that time was something out of science fiction for Greece. They were provided with a comfortable life by more than half a million (!) slaves.
If you pay attention to the history of any city, or even an entire empire, you will notice that the period of greatest prosperity always precedes decline. Was no exception the city of Corinth, which was destroyed by the Roman strategist and great warrior Lucius Mummius of Achaea. In addition to his talent, which allowed him to conquer cities and states, the military leader had a penchant for cruelty: he massacred all the men in Corinth, and sold young girls, women and their children into slavery. The tyrant simply destroyed the city with its temples, two ports and a mass of residential buildings and burned it to the ground.
After Lucius Mummius of Achaea, the city, which was beginning to be rebuilt and “come to life,” began to be plagued by failures. One might say that the gods themselves were angry with Corinth: the terrible earthquakes that occurred in 375 and 551 erased all the buildings of the Corinthians from the face of the earth. In 395, the conqueror Alaric again sacked the city and killed most of its inhabitants, who miraculously survived, were sold into slavery. In the 13th century, Corinth, like many other Greek cities, became part of Ottoman Empire. Only in 1830, Corinth, almost completely destroyed, during the war for independence, which lasted almost nine years, again gets a chance for independence.
It is worth noting that in 1833, it was Corinth that they wanted to proclaim as the capital of free Greece, which was patronized by Germany. This fact suggests that Corinth, despite the destruction and looting, still had the most important strategic importance for all of Greece. But, as everyone knows from history, the capital of the Greek Kingdom became a small and sparsely populated settlement at that time called Athens.
Roman baths
All of the above is just a small part of the long and intricate history of the oldest city in Greece, Corinth. It is unlikely that it will be possible to describe it all in one material, and many of the opinions of historians at the moment are not yet supported by facts, but are based, as already mentioned, only on the finds of archaeologists. Exhibits recovered from the ground during excavations can speak about the culture, way of life, beliefs of the ancient people who inhabited the city, and even about the times of barbarian plunder. However, they cannot confirm with utmost accuracy this or that important date relating to the ancient history of Corinth.
The ancient city of Corinth today
If you look at ancient Corinth now, it resembles not a once majestic and powerful city, but an archaeological site on which specialists conduct their work. Thanks to their efforts, today you can see the ruins of the huge Agora structure, which included 71 Doric columns on the outside. Without exaggeration, this building can be called truly huge even today. In its rear part alone there were 66 shops, 31 of them had wells, the depth of which often exceeded 10 meters. All of them connected to a channel that was of natural origin. It is not known for certain what these wells were used for. Most likely, they stored food that quickly deteriorated due to high temperatures.
A tourist walking among the ancient ruins discovers the ruins of a temple, which many call the Sanctuary of Apollo. There are too few facts indicating that this structure was erected in honor of the god of predictions and arts: at the site of the ruins, a small tablet was found on which the name of the god was engraved, and a description of the traveler Pausanias, dating back to the 2nd century BC . The Temple of Apollo (and maybe another deity) was left untouched even by the Romans when they completely rebuilt Corinth. According to archaeologists, only a devastating earthquake did not spare him.
In ancient times, Corinth was one of the largest and richest city-states in Greece. Corinth had two major ports- one in the Corinthian Gulf and one in the Saronic. Excavations on site Ancient Corinth have been ongoing since 1896. The vast area, mainly dating from the Roman period, is dominated by the ruins of the Temple of Apollo. Next rises the Acrocorinth hill, which was fortified in the Middle Ages. Modern city 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 of Corinth that are worth visiting.
Corinth Canal
The Corinth Canal is located four kilometers east of modern Corinth. The idea of building a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth (which connects the Peloponnese with the rest of Greece) was conceived by the tyrant Periander in the sixth century BC. However, the canal was only completed in the period 1882-1893, after modern Greece gained independence. The length of the Corinth Canal was 6.3 kilometers, width 23 meters and depth eight meters. The Corinth Canal can accommodate ships of up to 10,000 tons. Best View the canal opens from the bridge over which it passes highway. Interesting feature is a movable bridge at the northwest end that can be sunk underwater, 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 important archaeological site, which revealed many great finds. One of the most powerful cities of 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 51-52 AD, and this experience later inspired him to write the New First Testament of Corinthians and the Second Testament - one of the most quoted 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 a previous temple from the early seventh 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 had previously been to the east), and built stoas (colonnaded walkways) on both sides of the temple.
Archaeological Museum of Corinth
This small museum provides a comprehensive view of the finds in the area of the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth. Built in 1931-32 and expanded in the 1950s, the museum has three exhibition halls and a large courtyard. The main attractions of the Corinth Museum are Neolithic finds, typical Corinthian pottery, mosaic floors and numerous headless marble statues (in those days, the head of a deceased leader was simply removed from the statue and replaced with the head of a new leader). Exhibits are labeled in both Greek and English languages. The entrance ticket to the excavation site is also valid for the museum. Many attractions of Corinth and the Peloponnese can be included in the list of the most underrated places in Greece, which often do not fall on the itinerary list of mass tourists.
Acrocorinth
Acrocorinth is located 3.5 km south of Ancient Corinth. The climb to the top of this impressive fortified hill (575 meters) is facilitated by a well-maintained road that rises to its highest point from the lowest gate on the western 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 path leads to the very high point- the former Temple of Aphrodite, which was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Turks in the 16th century. From here you have a beautiful view of the isthmus and the hills of the Peloponnese. Among the attractions of Corinth, this place is especially 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. The Louthracian baths are recommended for 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 Peninsula and Corinth.
Modern Corinth
A powerful earthquake destroyed the old city of Corinth in 1858, after which it was rebuilt on 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. Today's city 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 peninsula.
In ancient times, Corinth was one of the largest and richest
city-states in Greece. Corinth had two major ports - one in
Gulf of Corinth and one in the Saronic. Excavations on the territory of the Ancient
Corinth has been underway since 1896. Over a wide area, mainly
Dating back to the Roman period, the ruins of the Temple of Apollo predominate. Next
rises the Acrocorinth hill, which was fortified in the Middle Ages.
The modern city of Corinth is located seven kilometers northeast of
ancient city and 78 kilometers west of Athens, with which it
connected by regular bus service. In this article I will tell you about
the main attractions of Corinth that are worth visiting.
Corinth Canal
The Corinth Canal is four
kilometers east of modern Corinth. The idea of building a canal
across the Isthmus of Corinth (which connects the Peloponnese with the rest
part of Greece) was conceived by the tyrant Periander in the sixth century BC
era. However, the canal was completed only in the period 1882-1893, after
how modern Greece gained independence. Length of the Corinth Canal
was 6.3 kilometers, width 23 meters and depth eight meters.
The Corinth Canal can accommodate ships of up to 10,000 tons. Best
the view of the canal opens from the bridge over which the car passes
road. An interesting feature is the movable bridge on
northwest end, which can be submerged, allowing
pass small ships and sailing boats (on a fairly high
tariff). However, it is too narrow for large ships.
Ancient Corinth
Ancient
Corinth is an important archaeological site that has revealed
many great finds. Being one of the most powerful cities
classical world, it came under Roman rule in 146 BC
era. It was here that the Apostle Paul preached to the people of Corinth in 51-52
AD, and this experience later inspired him to write the book New
The First Testament to the Corinthians and the Second Testament - one of the most
quoted books of the Bible. Today, among the archaeological excavations, you can
see the ruins of various buildings, including temples, a forum, baths and a basilica.
Temple of Apollo
Most
an important monument and landmark of Ancient Corinth is
the imposing Doric Temple of Apollo. It is located on a small hill and
dominates the area. The temple was built around 540 BC. on
the site of a previous temple from the early seventh century BC. Today
only seven monolithic columns remain, but originally there were six
front and back parts of the temple, as well as fifteen from each
sides. In the first century AD, the Romans moved the main entrance to
the temple to the west (previously it was in the east), and they built a stoa (colonaded
paths) on both sides of the temple.
Archaeological Museum of Corinth
This
a small museum provides a comprehensive view of the finds in the area
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 Corinth Museum are
Neolithic finds, typical Corinthian pottery, mosaic floors and
numerous headless marble statues (in those days they were simply removed
the head of the deceased leader from the statue and replaced it with the head of the new leader).
The exhibits are labeled in both Greek and English. Input
the ticket to the excavation area is also valid for the museum. Many
the sights of Corinth and the Peloponnese can be included in the list of the most
underrated places in Greece that often do not make it onto the itinerary list of mass tourists.
Acrocorinth
Acrocorinth
is located 3.5 km south of Ancient Corinth. Climbing to the top
this impressive fortified hill (575 meters) is facilitated well
equipped road that rises to the highest point from the very
low gate on the west side. Acrocorinth was fortified in ancient times
times, and his defense was maintained and developed during
Byzantine, Frankish, Turkish and Venetian periods, when
The walls of the fortress reached almost two kilometers in length. Within
fortress, the path 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
attractions of Corinth this place enjoys special
popularity.
Loutraki
Popular
The seaside resort of Loutraki overlooking the Corinthian Gulf is located in
six kilometers northeast of Corinth. It is famous for its natural
thermal springs. Louthracian baths are recommended for treatment
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
are the most popular attraction of the Peloponnese Peninsula and Corinth.
Modern Corinth
Powerful
an 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. Nevertheless,
the new city had to be rebuilt again after another
earthquake in 1928 and a great fire in 1933. Today's
the city consists mainly of modern concrete buildings, entertainment
centers and cafes overlooking the square in front of the port. For those arriving from
Athens and the rest of mainland Greece tourists consider Corinth
gateway to the Peloponnese peninsula.