Corinth Canal
This tour will give you an excellent taste of the history of Ancient Corinth and gives you the opportunity to swim where Helen of Troy did!
On the way you will view of some Greek seaside villages and the island of Salamis (where the historical naval battle took place between the Athenians and the Persians).
Our first stop the Corinth Canal. It was a task since the antiquity and finally opened in 1892 separating the Peloponnese peninsula from the rest of Greece and connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. You will have time to walk across on a pedestrian bridge to admire the canal closer, (if you’re game,) on some days bungee jumping is an option.
Ancient Corinth
Moving on we will continue to Ancient Corinth. The city dominated by the hill of Acrocorinth. The site located at the foot of the hill includes the Roman Agora of Corinth, the temple of god Apollo and a small museum. Apart from its archaeological and historical interest Ancient Corinth is also one of the most popular religious destinations in Greece as this was where Apostle Paul preached Christianity, was judged by the tribunal in the Agora and established the best organized Christian church of that period.
Temple of Apollo
We will visit the Temple of Apollo which is located in the in the Ancient city of Corinth. It is one of the earliest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland. Built around 560 B.C.E., of local monolithic limestone on top of an imposing, rocky hill to the north of Acrocorinth, the Archaic temple was an emblem for the Greek city of Corinth, reflecting its growth and prosperity.
Acrocorinth
Ancient Corinth is dominated by the hill of Acrocorinth, the oldest and largest castle in southern Greece. We will stop here for some incredible photos to imagine how many chapters of history have been written here...
Archaeological Site of Isthmia
The Sanctuary of Poseidon at Isthmia, including a temple, a stadium and a theatre was an important cult and athletic centre where the Panhellenic Games, called "the Isthmia", took place every two years in honour of Melicertes-Palaemon or Poseidon. Worth visiting its museum excibits athletic equipment, weapons and great panels of glass mosaic found in Kechries port.
Kechries Ancient Port
The ancient port of Kechries was the heaven of ancient Corinth and a very important commercial and military port of ancient Greece. In this area, pioneering port facilities and warehouses were used, as well as shops and public buildings. Many of the findings of the area are stored in Isthmia museum.
From this port Apostle Paul disembarked to Ephessus back in 52AD.
The site in actualy in the sea and you can see the arms of the harbour, sancuaries, basilicas and other buildings.
Loutra Oraias Elenis
You may have heard that Cleopatra was a fan of milk baths, but what was the secret of Helen of Troy, also known as Helen of Sparta? The answer is believed to be the thermal baths she was having in this little village. This traditional belief resulted in the name of the village “Loutra Oraias Elenis” which is Greek for “The baths of the beautiful Helen”.
The settlement of Loutra Oraias Elenis offers a long pebble beach which is organized and equipped with taverns and café bars that attract a great amount of visitors.
Athens
We will drive back to Athens.
