Patras is located in Western Greece and is well know for it’s amazing natural beauty. It constitutes a bustling city, proud to host renowned scientific, academic and research communities in the fields of Science, Technology and Intelligent Systems. Patras is a city where entertainment, history and culture mingle together to create a destination filled with wonderful discoveries.
At the entrance of the city, one of the world mega bridges, the Rio-Antirion Bridge stands impressive, a modern “wonder” worthwhile visiting, which bridges Peloponnese (Southern Greece) to Central and Northern Greece.
The exploration around the city starts from Ag. Nikolaou famous pedestrian street. There, 192 steps await to lead the visitors to the Old City. A romantic stroll around its cobbled streets reveals grand colorful neoclassic mansions, reminders of the city’s glorious past. The exploration continues with the visit of the city’s Medieval Castle, built in the second half of the 6th century A.D. on the ruins of the ancient Acropolis. Its walls enclose an area of about 22 sq.m.; it consists of a triangular external compound enhanced with towers and ramparts which give way to a breathtaking city view.
West of the Acropolis, in the “Áno Póli” (upper city), visitors find Patras Roman Odeum, built earlier than the Athens Odeum (Herodion 160 AD). The geographer Pausanias, who visited Patras in 170 AD, wrote: “It has the most beautiful decoration I have ever seen, excluding of course that of Athens”. The surrounding space is an archaeological area where mosaics, sarcophagi and other ancient findings are displayed. Romantic souls should seek for the city’s landmark, the Lighthouse, in order to enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the port.
In the centre of the city, a main historical monuments that draw tourists’ attention is the Saint Andrew Church , one of the biggest churches in the Balkans. St Andrew was a busy bee as far as Apostles go. He visited Byzantium and ordained the first bishop of what would later become the patriarchate of Constantinople. He travelled around the Black Sea in today’s Georgia, Romania, Crimea and the Ukraine. Descending through modern Greece to the Peloponnese, he stopped at Patras to preach Christianity. He was tortured to death in Patras on an X-shaped cross in 66 AD. The st. Andrew chuch contains the Holy Skull, the Holy Cross and the Finger of Saint Andrew.
The “APOLLON” Municipal Theatre that is located in the city center, constitues one of the first opera houses in Europe. It was designed in 1872 by the notable German architect Ernest Ziller. Since 1988 it permanently houses the Patras Municipal Regional Theatre.
Patras is one of the Greek cities that never sleeps. “Follow its rhythm” is its moto. A morning visit includes walks around the city’s squares: Georgiou, Olgas or “Ypsilá Alónia” (meaning high raising plateau), and the city’s beautifully restored neoclassical buildings. It also includes visit of the city’s museums: the New Archaeological Museum, the Folk Art Museum, or the Museum of History and Ethnology. Visitors can equally discover Patras shopping area, and shop their hearts out! They can enjoy a fine meal and relax at a lounge café. When night sets in, they can observe how the streets of the city are transformed into venues of fun. Patras nightlife awakens.
Exploration of the city can not be completed without a visit to the Achaia Claus winery, which is located on a green hill 8 km south-east to the center of the city. Visitors are impressed by the stone buildings, the huge oak barrels, containing century-old mavrodafni, the traditional wine cellar and the unique scenery with the magnificent view.
Patras is the ideal touristic base. It is located right in the center of the triangle of 3 of the most famous destinations of ancient history, Delfi , Ancient Olympia and Epidaurus. The Mycenaean park of Vounteni also in Patras, is one of the most important facilities of Mycenaean civilization internationally.
Patras also offers one of the most beautiful sunsets in Europe. You can easily enjoy it in a number of places next to the sea or higher on the hills.
Patra is notable for its clean, blue, sandy beaches , some of which are among the most beautiful of Greece.
©Designed and Developed by AIGROUP @ UPATRAS