Corinth

Corinth Canal/Διώρυγα της Κορίνθου

The Corinth Canal is a popular pitt stop for travellers either on their way to Athens from the Peloponnese or vice versa. I have passed by the canal many times during my short trips to the Peloponnese, and it never ceases to amaze me. It is an increadible feat of engineering that was only an idea in classical times.

There were many attempts by different rulers in antiquity to dig the canal, but they all failed. Then, in the 19th Century the vision was revived and then Greek prime minister Ioannis Kapodistrias hired a French company to begin construction on the canal. However, the French company went bankrupt, and the project was handed over to a Greek company. The canal was completed in 1893 on the 25th of July.

The narrow passage way means that large vessels cannot pass through. The canal closed in the beginning of 2021 due to landslides, and in will re-open in 2023.

Η Διώρυγα της Κορίνθου είναι μια δημοφιλής στάση για τους ταξιδιώτες είτε στο δρόμο τους προς την Αθήνα από την Πελοπόννησο είτε αντίστροφα. Έχω περάσει πολλές φορές από το κανάλι στα σύντομα ταξίδια μου στην Πελοπόννησο και δεν σταματά να με εκπλήσσει. Είναι ένα απίστευτο κατόρθωμα της μηχανικής που ήταν μόνο μια ιδέα στην κλασική εποχή.

Έγιναν πολλές προσπάθειες από διαφορετικούς ηγεμόνες στην αρχαιότητα να σκάψουν το κανάλι, αλλά όλες απέτυχαν. Στη συνέχεια, τον 19ο αιώνα το όραμα αναβίωσε και τότε ο Έλληνας πρωθυπουργός Ιωάννης Καποδίστριας προσέλαβε μια γαλλική εταιρεία για να ξεκινήσει την κατασκευή του καναλιού. Ωστόσο, η γαλλική εταιρεία χρεοκόπησε, και το έργο παραδόθηκε σε ελληνική εταιρεία. Το κανάλι ολοκληρώθηκε το 1893 στις 25 Ιουλίου.

Η στενή δίοδος σημαίνει ότι δεν μπορούν να περάσουν μεγάλα σκάφη. Το κανάλι έκλεισε στις αρχές του 2021 λόγω κατολισθήσεων και θα ανοίξει ξανά το 2023.

The Lighthouse/O Φάρος

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Ο  φάρος Ηραίον, στο τέρμα της χερσονήσου της Περαχώρα.

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The lighthouse at Heraion at the Gulf of Corinth.

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Don’t forget that maybe you are the lighthouse in someone’s storm”. Unknown

Heraion/Ηραιον

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The ruins of the sanctuary of Hera Akraia Limenia, is located at a beautiful cove with a magestic view of the gulf of Corinth. ‘Akraia’ means ‘great height’ and ‘Limenia’ means ‘of the harbour’.  Akraia was also the name of the naiad or water nymph associated with Hera. The site had an L shaped stoa, temple, hearth and sacred pool where visitors would cleanse themselves before entering the temple. There was a dining area that was exclusive to the wealthy. Sailors would stop by the harbour to come on the harbour  to pray, give offerings and make sacrifices to the goddess for their safe travels.

 

Κράτα το

Akrokorinthos/Ακροκόρινθος

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Akrokorinthos is a cliff that is 575 meters in height with a fort and medieval settlement situated on top. It is a bit of a climb up to the top but the climb is well worth it, as beautiful panoramic views of the Corinthian valley are revealed. This mountain top fort is located at a strategic location in Corinth. The fort over looks land and sea and one can see why so many invaders such as the Romans, Ottomans, and Venetians took control over the site. In the 17th century, when the Ottomans had control over the site, Christians and Muslims lived together. There were churches and mosques at the site as well. The people felt safe on the site as they could defend themselves more easily against pirates that entered from sea nearby.