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Patras was first inhabited during the third millennium BC and reached its first peak during the Mycenaean period (1580 - 1100 BC). According to written sources, the city was founded by the conglomeration of different settlements in the area of Arhoe. There, 20 meters under the medieval castle still extant today, lie the ruins of the ancient acropolis, that dates back to the Mycenaean and classical era.

During 5th century BC, Patras was organized politically and in 280 BC played a leading role in the foundation of the Achaean League, a voluntary union of initially four and finally twelve Achaean cities that, parallel to the existing local government system, agreed to a common judicial system, with common currency, weights and units and a common annual assembly, as well as common political and military leadership. (One could say that this confederation was the political ancestor of the European Union, albeit with more advanced unifying actions than EU!). The League became a major power over the following years and defended, though unsuccessfully, the Greek independence war against the Romans in the battle of Corinth in 146 BC.

During the period of Roman rule and because of the destruction of the port of Corinth and the consequent importance it gained as the unique port to Rome, Patras enjoyed special benefits. The city presented a significant development until the end of 3rd century, when, after its partial destruction by an earthquake, it entered a phase of decadence.

During the Byzantine Empire, the city rose and fell, in tune with the historic variations of the Empire and its surrounding area. From 13th century, Patras was occupied in turns by the Franks, the Byzantines, the Turks and the Venetians, alternating between periods of prosperity and total abandon, especially after the start of the Greek War of Independence in 1821, until its liberation, in 1928.

After the establishment of the Modern Greek state, the city grew to be a major port to Europe, while its exports, raisins in particular, triggered a phenomenal economic development. Throughout 19th and the beginning of 20th century, Patras was the country's financial and cultural link to Europe and this can be witnessed by a surge in the city's population, an improvement in housing, as well as the pioneering cultural and social institutions and business projects it developed at the time. When raisin exports subsided and the port of Piraeus started to flourish instead, Patras took the second place, gradually transforming into an industrial centre until the 90's and into a transit trade, financial and cultural centre today.

For further information visit the following site: http://www.patras.gr/en/c1/index-c1.asp

About the city

Patras, the third largest city in Greece with a population of 200.000, is a major Mediterranean port and the country's main Gate to the West - a modern financial, commercial and cultural centre. Amongst other places of interest, the city has a wide variety of monuments bearing witness to its long historical journey.

Bits and pieces of its recent history are reflected in Patras' daily life and are easily accessible to the visitor, therefore adding to the city's character and beauty. The arcades in the central streets, the three stairs leading from the contemporary to the upper (old) city, where one can admire the neoclassical buildings, once the mansions of the currant merchants, the many fountains and statues that can be seen on the central squares, as well as the famous English mansions out of Patras dated from the same period - known as "Egglezika"- are the exact elements that combine the city's past with its present.

At the same time, the modern city offers all necessary banking, transportation and accommodation facilities and caters for cultural and entertainment needs. The city hosts a University, an Institution of Higher Technological Education, the Greek Open University(Student's total number: 40.000), several hospitals (University hospital, Regional State hospital, Regional Children's hospital etc.), a regional two-stage theatre, a classical music orchestra, a municipal and many privately owned galleries with numerous seasonal exhibitions, as well as museums, municipal and university libraries, conference centres, stadiums, courts and swimming pools.

In addition, the city has numerous cafes, patisseries, bars, restaurants and live music clubs (all these either in pedestrianized entertainment areas or around the city's numerous large squares), as well as entertainment and cinema complexes and a casino.

The countryside and the beaches nearby are easily accessible. The area around the city is scattered with spots of natural beauty and historical monuments, which render it an ideal destination for eco-tourism and outdoor activities. The countryside and the Gulf of Patras provide the authentic ingredients you can taste in the local cuisine and all that at moderate prices, as Patras is, as far as alimentation and shopping is concerned, one of the cheapest cities in Greece.

For Patras City Guide, please visit
http://www.e-patras.gr/portal/web/common/cityguide

 

The new, majestic Church built in Byzantine style was founded in 1908 by George the 1st and was inaugurated in 1974 by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Patra, Nikodimos.

It is the largest and most artistically significant church in the Balkans and one of the largest in Europe. Its construction was supervised by architect Anastasios Metaxas and following his death in 1937, by architect Georgios Nomikos.

The central cupola is 46 metres tall and is the base for a 5-metre gold-plated cross and twelve smaller ones, symbolizing Christ and his twelve disciples. At least 5,000 can attend sermon within the church.

Roman Odeon

Dated 160 A.C., the Odeon was banked up through the years, was rediscovered in 1889, was restored in 1952 and, since then, has been hosting the performances and concerts of the International Summer Festival (capacity 2.000 people). In its yard, you can see sarcophagus and beautiful mosaics of the Roman period.

Germanou and Sotiriadou street

- Free entrance.Open daily except Monday 08.00-15.00, Tel: 2610-220829

• Aquaduct: 6 km long, Patras' aqueduct extends until the foot of Dassylio hill.

• North Cemetery: dated 1st-2nd century AD.

• Stadium: 300m. long, is still being excavated.

• Nympheon

• Meilichos Bridge: a well-preserved bridge with two brick arches and a base built with carved stones

Constructed by the emperor Justinian over the ruins of Patras' Ancient Acropolis, where a variety of archaeological finds is displayed today. Through the ages, the castle was conquered and reconstructed by the Franks, Constantinos Paleologos, the Venetians and the Turks.

Upper city - Free entrance - Open daily except Monday 08.30-15.00. Tel. 2610-623390

In 1872, Patras obtained its own theatre-opera house, with an Italian stage and a double row of boxes, around the same period when the great capitals of Europe (Paris, Barcelona and Vienna) obtained theirs. Today, it hosts the performances of the Municipal and Regional Theatre of Patras. King George A' sq. Free entrance. Open Monday to Friday, 08:00-13:30. Tel. 2610-273613

Built on the ruins of the ancient temple of Zeus, Pantokratoras is a Byzantine church, which was converted into a mosque during the Turkish occupation. Pantokratoros & Ilias str. Free entrance. Open daily, 08:00-11:00 & 16:30-19:00, tel. 2610-279454

Dated 1500 AD, the Hammam is still in use today. 29, Boukaouri str. Tel. 2610-274627. Entrance fee: 5,00 euros

It was built in 1880 and has been used as a city hall since 1910. Its interior is decorated with the beautiful paintings of Patras' famous painter E. Thomopoulos. 108, Mezonos & Votsi str

On a green hill, eight kilometres South - East of downtown Patra, are the facilities of the ACHAIA CLAUSS winery which stands out as one of the area's most significant tourist sights.

It was founded by Bavarian Gustav Clauss, who came to Patra in 1854, to work for a German raisin exporter. During one of his outings he became acquainted with the area and was enchanted by its natural beauty. He bought a small vineyard so he could produce his own wine, and ended up building the Castle - Winery which stands intact until today. In 1861 he founded the company ACHAIA CLAUSS and the high-quality wines, amongst which is the Patra Mavrodafni, conquered the Greek and the international markets.

The stone buildings, the huge oak barrels, containing century-old mavrodafni, the traditional wine cellar for welcoming visitors and the unique scenery with the magnificent view, attract around 200.000 visitors on an annual basis.

Vests: daily from 09:00 to 17:00

Tel.: 2610325051 to 2610325059

A workshop, where the floats of Patras Carnival and other decorative items are manufactured and preserved in. Petroto, Patras. Open Monday to Friday 08.00-14.00

The first hydroelectric station in Greece is located in the area of Glafkos river and is functioning with its waters. In the photo, you can see the vertical pipeline that starts from the top of the hill and rapidly carries the water down to the electric generators. It is also open to the public as a museum. Glafkos, Patras. Open daily 08.00-14.00

A complex of consecutively constructed buildings, designed by the Danish architect Theofilos Hansen in 1872. It functioned as a municipal hospital for 100 years. Today, it accommodates the cultural centre of the Municipality of Patras

An excellent sample of industrial architecture that was built in 1903 and operated as the city's slaughterhouse until 1998. In 1998 it was renovated and today it consists of a cultural and entertaining venue

Built in 1499, together with the castle of Antirrio by the sultan Vagiazit II, to control the sea passage between the Ionian Sea and the Corinthian Bay, a passage also known as 'Mikra Dardanellia'. The castle was successively occupied by Spain and Genova, reoccupied by the Turks and finally surrendered to the French general Maison, in 1928. Open daily except Monday 08.30-15.00

The longest cable bridge in the world, 2.250m. long, successfully joined Western Greece and was delivered in 2004

Recreation Open Spaces, with a view over the city or the sea

Dassylio, Ipsila Alonia Square, the Lighthouse, King George A΄ Square, the Marina Museums

• New Archaeological Museum: under construction

• Archaeological Museum: exhibits sculptures and mosaics, vessels and jewelry from the Hellenic and roman period.
EVERY DAY EXCEPT MONDAY, 08.30- 15.00,MEZONOS 42, 2610275070, 2610640413

• Museum of History and Ethnology: with arms, paintings and scriptures dated 18th and 19th century.
EVERY DAY EXCEPT MONDAY AND FRIDAY 11.00-13.00,
SQUARE GEORGIOY A', Tel. 2610274962

• Press Museum: books dated 1604, as well as important historic documents and records about Patras and Greece since 1875.
FROM MONDAY UNTIL FRIDAY 09.00-13.00, MEZONOS 200, 2610310488

• Folk Art Museum: with exhibits from everyday life and working habits during the pre-industrial age. FROM MONDAY UNTIL FRIDAY 10.30-13.00, KORYTSAS & MAVROKORDATOY, 2610334713

• Zoological museum of Patras University: with approximately 3.000 stuffed birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and shells.Τel: 2610 969214

• Botanical museum of Patras University: with 90.000 desiccated plants of Greek and European flora. Τel: 2610 969200

+302610996127

Crete was the centre of Europe's most ancient civilization; the Minoan. Early Cretan history is replete with legends such as those of King Minos, Theseus, Minotaur, Daedalus and Icarus passed on orally via poets such as Homer. Crete was involved in the Mithridatic Wars, initially repelling an attack by Roman general Marcus Antonius Creticus in 71 BC. Nevertheless, a ferocious three-year campaign soon followed under Quintus Caecilius Metellus, equipped with three legions and Crete was finally conquered by Rome in 69 BC, earning for Metellus the title "Creticus". Gortyn was made capital of the island, and Crete became a Roman province, along with Cyrenaica.

Crete was part of the Byzantine empire, but then was captured by Iberian Muslims led by Abu Hafs[4] who established a piratical emirate on the island. In 960 Nicephorus Phocas reconquered the island, which remained under Byzantine control until 1204, when it fell into the hands of the Venetians at the time of the Fourth Crusade. During Venice's rule, which lasted more than four centuries, a Renaissance swept through the island as is evident from the plethora of artistic works dating to that period. The most notable representatives of this Cretan renaissance were the painter El Greco and the writers Nicholas Kalliakis (1645–1707) and Vitsentzos Kornaros.

Under the rule of Christian Venetians, the city of Candia (Heraklion) was reputed to be the best fortified city of the Eastern Mediterranean. In 1574–77, Crete was under the rule of Giacomo Foscarini as Proveditor General, Sindace and Inquistor. According to Starr (1942), the rule of Giacomo Foscarini was the dark age for Jews and Greeks. Under his rule, non-Catholics had to pay high taxes with no allowances. This practice ended when the Ottomans conquered Crete in 1669, after a 21-year siege of the capital, Candia.

During Ottoman rule, many churches and monasteries were converted to mosques. However, freedoms and rights were still provided. Church attendance was permitted. Still, many Christians converted to Islam. According to Molly Greene (2001) there were numerous records of real-estate transactions during the Ottoman rule. In the deserted city, minorities received equal rights in purchasing property. Christians and Jews were also able to buy and sell in the real-estate market.

Muslim presence on the island started with the Arab occupation but was cemented by the Ottoman conquest. Most Cretan Muslims were local Greek converts who spoke Cretan Greek, but in the island's 19th century political context they came to be viewed by the Christian population as Turks. Contemporary estimates vary, but on the eve of the Greek War of Independence, as much as 45% of the population of the island may have been Muslim. Many amongst them were crypto-Christians who converted back to Christianity in subsequent years, while many others fled Crete because of the unrest, settling in Turkey, Rhodes, Syria and elsewhere. By 1900, 11% of the population was Muslim. Those remaining were forced to leave in 1924 in the Population exchange between Greece and Turkey.

Crete was left out of the modern Greek state by the London Protocol of 1830, and soon it was yielded to Egypt by the Ottoman sultan. Egyptian rule was short-lived and sovereignty was returned to the Ottoman Empire by the Convention of London on July 3, 1840.

Between 1833 and 1897, several more Christian uprisings took place, and in 1898, Crete, a complex autonomous Cretan State under Ottoman suzerainty, was nevertheless garrisoned by an international military force, with a High Commissioner (Armostis), chosen by Greece. Finally, Crete was joined with Greece on 1 December 1913.

During World War II, the island was the scene of the famous Battle of Crete where, in May 1941, German paratroopers sustained almost 7,000 casualties, meeting fierce resistance from both locals and the British Commonwealth force, commanded by General Sir Bernard Freyberg. As a result, Adolf Hitler forbade further large scale airborne operations.

Source: Wikipedia

Crete (or Creta or Kreta) is a mountainous island, the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean, lies south in Greece separating the Aegean from Libyan Sea, the southest part of Europe, a link between three continents Asia, Africa and Europe.

Crete has four major parts (prefectures). These are from the the west to the east Chania, Rethimnon, Iraklion and Lassithi.

The biggest cities in Crete are Chania, Rethymno, Iraklio and Agios Nikolaos on the North part of the island and Ierapetra to the south part facing the Libyan sea.

Heraklion or Iraklion is the largest city and capital of Crete. It is also the fourth largest city in Greece. Its name is also spelled Herakleion.

Heraklion is the capital of Heraklion Prefecture, with an international airport named after the writer Nikos Kazantzakis. The ruins of Knossos, which were excavated and restored by Arthur Evans, are nearby.

The present city of Heraklion was founded in 824 AD by the Saracens who had been expelled from Al-Andalus by Emir Al-Hakam I and had taken over the island from the Byzantine Empire.

The University of Crete (UOC) is the principal higher education institution on the island of Crete. It is a multi-disciplinary, research- oriented institution, located in the cities of Rethymnon and Heraklion. It is a University with a well-known reputation both nationally and internationally for its state-of-the art curricula and graduate programmes. In addition, the University has developed considerable research activity and has undertaken innovative initiatives that reflect its dynamic. The University was established in 1973 and started functioning in the academic year 1977-78.

At Heraklion, the School of Sciences and Engineering includes the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Materials Science and Technology, and Physics, while the School of Health Sciences includes the faculty of Medicine. The Natural History Museum of Crete, established in 1981 at Heraklion, is also part of the University of Crete.

The Faculty of Medicine was established in 1983 and received its first students in 1984. Since 1989, it has been operating at its new campus, located about 7 km from Heraklion. It represents one of the newest medical and research complexes in Greece.

The campus includes a spacious and functional 24,000 square meter, ten-wing building and a modern, well-equipped 62,000 square meter University Hospital. During the twenty five years of its existence, it has established multiple activities in education, research, and health care and has collaborated with scientific and social sectors in Greece and abroad.

The Faculty consists of ten Departments: Basic Sciences, Morphology, Laboratory Medicine, Radiology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Mother and Child Health, Neurology and Sensory Organs, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Social Medicine. The teaching staff includes more than 130 faculty members. In addition, the permanent staff includes administrative staff and specialized technical personnel.

The undergraduate programme of studies lasts for six years. Balanced emphasis is given to Basic Sciences (semesters 1-4), Laboratory Medicine (semesters 4-7), Pre-clinical Training (semesters 6-8) and Clinical training (semesters 9-12). The Faculty of Medicine also offers several postgraduate programmes leading to a Master’s or doctoral degree.

The Venetian Castle of Heraklion is called Koules, which means “fortress” in Turkish. It is an impressive fortress that surrounds the harbor of Heraklion, Crete. The Koules Castle is a massive fortress with two storeys that used to guard the entry to the port. The Castle was constructed by the Venetians in the early 13th century, when they conquered the town. The earliest description of the Koules Venetian Castle exists in the work of the Florentine monk Cristoforo Buondelmonti in 1429.

 

This church stands on a square of the same name in Heraklion Town and is dedicated to Saint Titus, patron of the island. It is a beautiful monument that blends elements of Western and Eastern architecture and, and that was first built in during the Byzantine period. The Venetians used it as a Catholic Cathedral.

The Turks transformed it into a mosque, altering one more time the church’s architecture. The strong earthquakes destroyed it in 1856. Locals rebuilt it on its old foundations in 1872 but turning it into a Greek Orthodox church.The holy relics of Saint Titus are housed here.

The Minoan Palace at Knossos is over 20,000 square meters - and the largest of all Minoan palatial structures. It was built of ashlar blocks, had many floors and was decorated with really beautiful frescoes. The old palace was built around 2000 B.C but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1700 B.C. The newer, more complex palace, was built almost immediately after the first one was destroyed. In the middle of the 15th Century B.C, the Achaeans took over the island of Crete and settled in the palace. The palace was once again destroyed by fire in the middle of the 14th Century B.C and henceforth ceased to function as a palatial centre.

Legend has it that this palace was the source of the Labyrinth myth. It was a structure that was made by King Minos of Crete, to keep the mythical creature Minotaur – who was half bull and half man – away. Eventually the creature was killed by Theseus.

The Palace of Phaistos is located on the east end of the Kastri Hill, the end of the Mesara plain in South Central Crete. It is considered to be one of the finest of all Minoan palaces. The preserves of the old and new palace can be seen until nowadays. Excavations in the area began in 1884 and were carried out by F. Halbherr and A. Taramelli. After the declaration of the Cretan State as independent in 1898, continued by F. Halbherr and L. Pernier between in 1900- 1904.

Later the excavations were carried out by Doro Levi between 1950 and 1971 with the help of the Italian Archaeological School of Athens. Other findings of the area include thousands of seal impressions and some tablets containing the Linear A script.

The museum of Heraklion is located in the capital of Crete, Heraklion and is one of the most important and richest museums in Greece. In its 20 rooms, the museum houses finds that have been excavated exclusively in Crete, and related to its prestigious past, from Neolithic to Roman times, through the important and prosperous Minoan period.

Visitors may admire sculptures, clay figurines, superb jewels and astonishing frescoes and remains from the various Minoan palaces of Crete (especially from the palace at Knossos). Telephone: 2810 226092/224630/226470

Privately created and maintained by John McLaren and his staff, the stunning Aquaworld at Hersonisos operates since 1995. It was created by an aquarium hobbyist who loved the animals, so he decided to make a place to host them. In the Aquarium of Hersonisos, you can find many species of reptiles, fish and other marines.

From turtles, snakes, fish, marines and many reptiles that are found in the countryside and the sea of Crete, the collection is great. The Aquaworld of Hersonisos not only collects animal and sea species but also takes in injured animals which need home.

The Natural History Museum of Crete is located near the port of Heraklion, at Sofokli Venizelou street, and it is dedicated to present the natural environment of Crete and Mediterranean in general. Operating under the framework of the University of Crete, this museum was established in 1980 and has five departments: Zoological, Botanical, Anthropological, Paleontological-Geological and Mineralogical.

Hersonisos is the best equipped touristy resort of the prefecture of Heraklion. It is located 27 kilometres east of the capital of Crete and has a population of about 4100 inhabitants. Accommodations of all categories, restaurants, shops of all kinds, popular art shops, bars and night clubs are filling the resort while their number grows every year.

The little village of Hersonissos is located nearby this lively and busy touristy resort and seems to be indifferent to the crowd and bustle of the port, keeping its simplicity and authenticity. Ruins from the Roman period can be seen in the surrounding area as well as some port remains which are visible under the sea.

+302810394775

The sea tourism of  Larissa is significant and has very good infrastructures (harbors,schools of sea sports) as well as a large number of sea sports for years now.
Camps and sailing courses, canoë and water ski courses are also available for eleven to sixteen-year-old youths. It is also worth mentioning that a number of important sports events are held in Larissa such as the Championship of Central Greece, the Optimist and Laser Sailing races on the Spitaki Beach and the Pan-Hellenic Games of underwater fishing.

Winter Tourism - Ski

The easiest way to reach Ioannina is by plane via Athens.

On a daily basis three flights connect Athens airport with Ioannina. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.

For your booking, visit the Aegean airlines and the Olympic Air web pages.

An alternative, but less straightforward path is to travel from Athens to Aktio-Preveza by plane (on a weekly basis there are three flights: on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, flight duration approximately 55 minutes) and then from Preveza, reach Ioannina by bus (it is a one-hour bus ride). The Preveza airport is served by Olympic Air.

Flights are usually heavily booked, so booking in advance (2 months) is recommended. Typically, the airfare from Athens (or Thessaloniki) to Ioannina is less expensive, if it is booked as a domestic rather than an international flight.

Ioannina is accessible by bus from Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu or Igoumenitsa.

Bus from Athens to Ioannina:

There are nine daily bus connections (departure times: 6:00, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 13:00, 15:30, 17:00, 21:30, 22:30) from Athens to Ioannina.

The trip duration is about 6.5 hours and the bus fare is approximately 30 Euros (one way).

If you decide to reach Ioannina by bus you should go from Athens airport to the Athens central long-distance bus terminal (named Kifissos terminal).

You may either get a taxi (cost about 30 Euros) or use the X93 express bus line (bus is 3.90 Euros).

There are six daily bus connections (departure times: 7.30, 11, 13.30, 15.00, 18.00, 21.30) from Thessaloniki to Ioannina.

The trip duration is about 5 hours and the bus fare is approximately 27 Euros (one way).

If you decide to reach Ioannina by bus you should go from Thessaloniki airport to the Thessaloniki central long-distance bus terminal.

You may either get a taxi (taxi fare is about 15 euros) or use the Number 78 bus line (bus fare is 0.50 Euros; buses are leaving from the terminal every hour) that connects the airport with Thessaloniki's central long-distance bus terminal.

Bus from Corfu or Igoumenitsa to Ioannina:

From May, there are several charter flights that connect most European capitals to Corfu.

Once you are in Corfu, you can reach Ioannina by bus.

There are two daily bus connections (departure times: 7.45, 19.15) from Corfu to Ioannina.

The trip duration is approximately 3 hours and the bus fare is approximately 15 Euros (one way - it includes the ferry fare).

If you miss the bus at Corfu, just take the ferry across to Igoumenitsa (ferry fare is about 5 euros) and then catch one of the buses at the Igoumenitsa long-distance bus station, which is within walking distance from the port.

From Igoumenitsa, Ioannina is a 1.5-hour bus ride.

There are ten bus connections (departure times: 6.30, 8.15, 9.15, 11.30, 14.30, 16.45, 18.00, 20.00, bus fare is about 8 euro - one way).

The port of Igoumenitsa is connected with several major Adriatic Sea Italian ports (Trieste, Venice, Ankona, Brindisi, Bari).

Then from Igoumenitsa, Ioannina is a 1.5-hour bus ride (see Bus information from Corfu or Igoumenitsa to Ioannina above) and less than one hour if you decide to drive.

If you decide to drive from Athens or Thessaloniki to Ioannina, you may rent a car in the arrivals area of Athens or Thessaloniki airports.

Driving directions from Athens to Ioannina:

From the Athens airport, take Attiki Odos motorway and follow the signs to Athens and then Elefsina. After Elefsina, keep driving on Greek National Road 8A (sometimes called National Road 8) westbound, until you reach Rio Junction. Pass the Rio-Antirio bridge, and then follow National Road 5 northbound. National Road 5 ends at downtown Ioannina.

Driving directions from Thessaloniki to Ioannina:

From Thessaloniki airport, drive in the direction of Athens following National Road E-75/A1 for a while, which later becomes E-90 and E-75. Continue until you reach the intersection which takes you to Veria. Make a right turn towards Veria and Kozani. Now you are on E-90/A2 freeway (a.k.a Via Egnatia). Do not enter Veria. Make a left towards Kozani and stay on E90/A2 until Grevena. You go through Grevena and on A2 you follow the signs to Ioannina, Metsovo and Milia. The road goes through the mountains and you pass the villages of Kipourio, Krania, and Milia. After Milia, follow the signs to Metsovo and Ioannina. Do not enter Metsovo; just drive on the road that becomes E-92, following the signs to Ioannina.