Scope of the Corinth Canal

During our trip, both children and adults will be delighted with the wonder of the Corinth Canal, a unique nineteenth-century structure connecting the Aegean and Ionian seas. By the summer of 1893, 2,500 workers with the help of the most modern construction machines dug a canal with a length of 6346 meters, a width of 24 meters along the surface of the water and 21 meters along the bottom, a depth of 7 to 8 meters. About 12,000 small boats, pleasure boats and yachts annually use this shortest route from the Aegean to the Ionian Sea. In summer, a tourist boat transports curious tourists.

***

Right above the isthmus, at an altitude of 800 meters is the monastery of St. Patapia, the healer. In the cave of the monastery, on the slope of Mount Herania, there are magnificent Byzantine frescoes with images of Blessed Patapius, the holy Byzantine Queen Ipomonia and Blessed Nikon. And from the site of the monastery there is a fascinating view of the bays and the Isthmus of Corinth. The nearest town of Loutraki is famous for its seafood, not expensive, by the way.

***

Corinth is located in a unique geographical point on the intersection of transport arteries. From the mainland to the Peloponnese they lead from the East to the West. The city lies on a narrow isthmus and the fortress of Acrocorinth, built on top of which a chic view covers a distance of 60 kilometers, could, like a castle, close the entrance to the peninsula. The towering Acrocorinth (575 meters above sea level), not only the largest, but also the oldest fortress of the Peloponnese. The walls follow the physical level of the rocks. I think the boys will be interested in going through three lines of defense.

The seventh century BC dates the appearance of the first fortifications on the top of the mountain. In the 13th century, Leo Sguros, the Byzantine voivode, the head of the Peloponnese, who led the besieged Greeks who repulsed the attacks of the Crusaders, in despair threw himself right on horseback from the wall of the Acrocorinth. Then it was completed by the Venetians and Turks. The kids should like it. From here in 1823, from secret cellars, the Turks pulled 500 bags of gold, leaving the fortress. Let's see if there's anything left.

It is here, on the slope, is the spring of Upper Perena, which was formed from a blow to the ground by the hoof of Pegasus, the famous winged horse, who gave this source of inspiration to poets.

If we have strength and mood, we will continue our journey, going to a mythical place – to the fabulous ruins of the temple of the goddess Hera, the jealous wife of Zeus, in the town of Perachor. To do this, we need to drive through the town of Loutraki in a western direction along the coast of the Gulf of Corinth. At first, we are greeted by Lake Vouliagmeni, a favorite place for swimming in the summer. And immediately after it, the road leads to a picturesque place with a lighthouse. At the edge of the sea, a compact archaeological site awaits us, where the Caucasian beauty and enchantress Medea hid from the anger of the crowd, after the murder of their children. Periander, the tyrant of Corinth, partitioned here to the naked of all the wives of the aristocrats assembled at his command. Oedipus for the first time begins to suspect his sad fate.

Taking a photo at the lighthouse, descend to what was once one of the most respected cult sanctuaries of Hera, and you will easily understand why the ancient Hellenes chose this point to praise the main goddess of the Olympic pantheon. Waves of warm enjoyment of the surrounding landscape penetrate into the heart. The wise word “aesthetics” will acquire an applied, tangible meaning, filling the soul with an inexplicable delight that the ancient Hellenes revered as religious ecstasy.

• Transportation costs