Corinth. A “lightning” excursion but with many archaeological gifts in its basket. Just about 80 km. First of all, there is one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 19th century: the Corinth Canal. We are in “Aphneios Corinth”, one of the most important cities of the ancient world and then of modern Greece. Its geographical position naturally played a huge role in its emergence as a key naval, commercial, and cultural center. So, see this mini-excursion as a… walk through the history of Greece.
The archaeological history of Corinth in (many) pieces
Periander did not give up and tried to solve the problem by constructing the famous Diolkos. It is a road paved with limestone slabs and lined with wood, from which ships smeared with grease were transported, from the port of Kenchrees in the Saronic Gulf, to the port of Lechaion in the Corinthian Gulf. The ships were loaded onto special vehicles and towed overland from Diolkos, which was 5 meters wide. Two and a half centuries later, Rome’s hegemony breathed new life into the project, but all attempts – by Julius Caesar, Caligula, and the emperors Gaius and Hadrian – failed.
Diolkos or Posidonia
As mentioned above, Diolkos is a part of this paved road created by the tyrant Periander in his attempt to open the Corinth Canal. A large part of this road was revealed by excavations in 1960. The visitor can still see them today, to the west of the modern canal. In fact, the deep grooves along which the vehicle carrying the ships from the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Gulf moved are preserved. One might think that for such an important historical point, its protection should be more intensive.
Archaeological Museum of Isthmia
Korfos
Your next stop is in this cove like a hug (hence the name Korfos). It is the favorite port of those who ride inflatables. You will find it from the relevant sign on the Korinthos-Epidaurus road.
Ancient city of Corinth
It is less than a quarter from the new city. The importance of this location is also great, since it was one of the most important cities of ancient Greece, where St. Paul lived for two years. The ruins of the city include the Agora and the well-preserved temple of Apollo (dating back to the 6th century BC).
Acrocorinth
The modern city of Corinth
Corinth Canal Visit: Key Spots Not to Miss
- Right after the bridge, on the old national road Athens-Corinth, make a stop on the right. From here, you can admire, through a good slice… a hearty view of the Isthmus from above.
- Whether the day is sunny or not, a walk on Kalamia beach is a must. The wide, organized pebbly beach has a number of cafes and taverns along it, where you can rest between your walks to the archaeological sites around the city.
- A visit to the Church of Apostle Paul in the modern city of Corinth. As mentioned above, Corinth is among the “Footsteps of the Apostle Paul”, the places that St. Paul visited, teaching the work of Jesus. The period of his stay in the area has been determined at 51-52 A.D. This truly impressive and majestic church was inaugurated in 1936, on the feast day of the apostles Peter and Paul, by the Metropolitan of Damaskinos and the then Prime Minister P. Tsaldaris. At its entrance is engraved the passage with the hymn to love from 1 Corinthians. It is a neo-Byzantine, domed basilica, with an area of 800 square meters. Inside, there are a confessional, a baptistery, and a meeting room for the church council.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Corinth Canal is one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 19th century, connecting the Corinthian Gulf with the Saronic Gulf in Greece. It played a crucial role in Mediterranean trade and shortened the sea route from Piraeus to Italy by half when it opened in 1893. The canal's construction took over 2,500 years from its initial conception to completion.
The Corinth Canal was officially opened in 1893. Construction began on April 23, 1882, under the leadership of Prime Minister Charilaos Trikoupis, with King George I present at the groundbreaking ceremony. The project involved architects and engineers from all over Europe.
The first attempt to build the Corinth Canal was made by Periander, the tyrant of Corinth, at the end of the 7th century BC, specifically in 602 BC. However, his technicians prevented him from proceeding because they noticed a difference in level between the two sides and feared unknown consequences.
The Diolkos was an ancient solution created by Periander to transport ships between the two gulfs without building a canal. It was a 5-meter-wide limestone-paved road lined with wood, where ships were greased and loaded onto special vehicles, then towed overland from the port of Kenchrees in the Saronic Gulf to the port of Lechaion in the Corinthian Gulf. Parts of this road are still visible today west of the modern canal.
Several Roman emperors attempted to build the Corinth Canal, including Julius Caesar, Caligula, Gaius, and Hadrian. The most significant effort was made under Nero in 66 A.D., when 6,000 Jewish prisoners were sent from Judea to work on the project. However, the work stopped suddenly due to an uprising in Rome and Nero's assassination.
Visitors near the Corinth Canal can explore several attractions including the remnants of the ancient Diolkos with its preserved grooves (located west of the modern canal), the Archaeological Museum of Isthmia featuring findings from excavations in Isthmia and Kenchrees, the scenic cove of Korfos popular with water sports enthusiasts, and the Ancient City of Corinth, which was one of the most important cities of the ancient world.
The Corinth Canal took approximately 2,500 years from its initial conception in 602 BC under Periander to its completion in 1893. The actual modern construction phase began on April 23, 1882, and took about 11 years to complete. Multiple failed attempts by various rulers and empires occurred throughout history before the project was finally successful.
The Archaeological Museum of Isthmia is located after the Isthmus, on the left turn toward Epidaurus. The museum is marked with signs on the Korinthos-Epidaurus road. It displays findings from archaeological excavations in Isthmia and Kenchrees, which was the second port of Ancient Corinth, providing valuable insights into the region's ancient maritime history.
