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, this city was the first settlement in the modern territory of Hellas. In Greece, there are two cities with the same name, but Old Corinth has the greatest historical and cultural significance.
A bit of history
The largest and most prosperous city in ancient Greece was ancient Corinth. It was founded in the 7th century BC. e. and had a favorable strategic position. It allowed control of the isthmus that connected the Peloponnese with the rest of Greece.
Ancient Corinth was a prosperous trading city, which allowed it to develop faster than other Hellenic cities. But in 146 BC. e. the center of trade was destroyed by the Roman consul. Only a few wealthy families who managed to escape to the island of Delos were able to survive from the entire population.
But in 44 BC. e. 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 prosperous trading city.
New town
In 1858, the old city was completely destroyed, and a new one was founded 3 km from it. Now New Corinth in Greece is the second most populated city in the Peloponnese. Due to its location, it is an important transport center, providing water links between the western Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. Also in the northern part there is a port where various goods are delivered.
Corinth in Greece is also a highly developed industrial city. Not far from it is the center for oil refining. There are also factories for the production of medical equipment, salt, ceramics, marble and others. Corinth continues to be a vibrant and prosperous city.
sights
The 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 there were only ruins and an open-air museum was made, in which you can look at the unique monuments of ancient civilization. But there are several main and popular tourist attractions of Corinth in Greece.
- The Corinth Canal - even if it does not belong to architectural values, you need to visit it to enjoy the most beautiful views.
- The ruins of the old city is a great opportunity to touch the ancient history and present all the greatness of Old Corinth.
- Temple of Apollo - the remains of a once magnificent building towering above the place where there used to be rows of shops. Despite the fact that only 7 columns out of 40 have survived, tourists can imagine the greatness of this building.
- Acrocorinth is another of Corinth's famous landmarks. 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 enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city.
- Archaeological Museum - consists of three halls, which exhibits from ancient times to the present. Visitors can look at how the way of life of people was arranged in different eras.
The ancient city is part of the cultural and historical heritage of Greece. It was inhabited by many people of various nationalities with their own cultural traditions. And this made it a unique city, so it is very important to preserve what remains 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 that display interesting exhibits.
- Historical and folklore - was created in order to find and preserve various folklore materials, as well as make them accessible to a wide audience. In his exposition one can see women's and men's suits from various Greek provinces, silver, wood, metal products, household items, fabrics, embroidery.
- Ecclesiastical Museum - was built in 1971 to store icons and other church relics.
- Municipal Art Gallery - was opened in 1998. Her 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 since antiquity, but also modern, respecting the traditions and culture of their people.
Travel Tips
If you travel to Greece in the summer, it is best to go 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 an excursion in which you will be told the most interesting things about the city. By the way, in the vicinity of Corinth there is a beach of Kalamya. It is beautifully equipped and is constantly marked by the honorable Blue Flag, which means that beach lovers and not only will be able to relax perfectly and comfortably.
Tourists reviews
This city is very popular. In reviews of Corinth in Greece, you can see that tourists are delighted with visiting the Ancient City. Also, vacationers are satisfied with the Mediterranean climate and hotels. Corinth is a wonderful opportunity to touch the history of Ancient Greece, look at the important strategic city and admire not only the sights, but also the picturesque landscapes.