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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

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