The Isthmus of Corinth is a narrow land bridge that connects mainland Greece with the Peloponnese Peninsula. The city with the same name, Corinth, is situated not far from the isthmus. This is the third-largest city on the peninsula. Corinth is divided into two parts, one of which is modern and the other one is ancient. The majority of industrial sites are concentrated in the new part of the city. Tourists from all over the world visit this settlement to learn more about its ancient history and see the beautiful area. Corinth was the cradle of the region.
The first settlement on the site of modern Corinth appeared approximately in 4,000 BC. This was one of the major centers of trade in the East Mediterranean. The city controlled all traffic near the isthmus and offered carrying services for ships sailing from the Ionic Sea to the Aegean Sea. At that time, Corinth was a popular settlement famous for its ceramics and textiles.
Are you planning to visit Corinth for beach recreation? Many travelers choose Kalamia for this purpose. It feels like Mother Nature divided the territory of this area into two parts, one of which is covered with sand and the other one – with pebbles. The length of the beach area is one kilometer, and its width is ten meters. This is the most famous city beach. Locals visit it when they want to sunbathe in the rays of the hot Greek sun. For guests of the city, this is one of the most popular destinations.
It is not allowed to drive vehicles close to the beach, so the air is clean and no sound of traffic ruins the serene atmosphere of this place. If you visit Corinth with small children, there is no need to worry about their safety because the sea is shallow near the coast. Moreover, the city’s authorities make sure than the beach and the coastal water are clean and safe. As there are many taverns, restaurants, and cafes in Kalamia, tourists can always try local delights and cold beverages. The beach doesn’t sleep at night as concerts and discos often take place here.
Guests of Corinth can enjoy many pleasant moments at the shore of the biggest lake in the peninsula - Lake Stymphalia. The lake covers an area of 3.5 square kilometers. The area looks truly spectacular despite dense reed. This lake is an important stop for many species of migratory birds. The area surrounding the lake is no less beautiful. There are still ruins of a basilica that once was a part of the Crusaders’ monastery. In the nearby village, there is a museum of archaeology, and there is the Saint George Monastery nearby.
Besides beach recreation, tourists shouldn’t forget about sightseeing because some landmarks in Corinth are worldwide famous. For example, the Temple of Apollo, which was built in the 6th century BC, is one of these attractions. There was an “earlier” version of the temple on this site, and the Temple of Apollo was built in the same style. Initially, scientists made assumptions that the temple was dedicated to different Greek gods but archaeologists, fortunately, found a plate with the name of Apollo.
The temple is in ruins nowadays. Tourists can see six tall columns and some other fragments of the building. However, even these remains look elegant and attractive. According to historical data, the power of such a famous and merciless Roman general as Lucius Mummius was not enough to destroy the columns. He tried to demolish them several times. In 16 AD, the ancient city of Corinth was completely destroyed by his order, and all residents of Corinth were killed. Only the six “giants” continued standing proudly.
Tourists can get to Corinth by flying to Athens first. There is a train that departs for Corinth directly from the airport. The journey time is one hour and twenty minutes. The train departs every hour. It is also possible to get to the ancient Greek city by bus from Athens. The buses depart every half an hour and bring passengers to the final destination within one and a half hours.
