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Korinthos
There are important archaeological sites, beautiful shores, hillsides covered with rich greenery and modern cities including gaming casinos, only a short distance from Athens.
Both the modem trading centre of Koriath and Ancient Korinth, Isthmia, cosmopolitan Loutraki and the picturesque lake of Vouliagmeni, spas at Orea. Eleni (Beautiful Helen), Nemea with its antiquities and famous wines, the lake of Stymphalia, beautiful Trikala, and fir covered Zereia, the ski centre, Evrostina mountain land, and Zarandapychos Forest, bold many surprises for the visitor.
Korinthia borders with Argolis to the south, Achaia to the west, and is washed by the Korinthian and the Saronic gulfs to the southeast.


History

 
It was inhabited since the Neolithic Period with Ancient Korinth flourishing and powerful, especially from the 9th through the 5th Century B.C. It was a renowned sea power. During the Peloponnesian War it sided with Spana. Later, it joined the Commonwealth of Achaia, and was conquered by the Romans in 146 B.C. It flourished again under Roman Rule, and was visited by St. Paul who preached there on 52 A.D. In the centuries that followed, Korinthia experienced prolonged sufferance as a result of raids by Goths, Slavs, pirates, Franks, the Knights of Rhodes, the Venetians and the Turks.
Korinth (km 84).
St. Paul's Metropolitan Church is worth a visit, including the rich exhibits at the Religious Museum.The archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, ranking among the most important of its kind in the Peloponnese, is seven kilometers away. Sights include the legendary Krini of GlaBd, the temple of Apollo, the Lechaios road which linked the city with the port of Lechaion in the Gulf of Korinth, Krini
 

Perini, and nearby loulia Vassiliki, so named after statues belonging to the family of Julius Caesar; Nona Stoa (southern arcade) one of the largest buildings in Ancient Greece. Exhibits at the Archaeological Museum were discovered at the Ancient agora (mart) of Korinth.
Acrokorinthos, behind the city, is not only the largest, but also the oldest castle in the Peloponnese. Shoreline Louiraki, the lake of Vouliagmeni, Strava and other places lie on the shores of the Gulf of Korinth on the way to the Canal. The most beautiful beaches past the Canal include Lechaio, Kokkoni, Nertza, Kato Diminio, Melissi, the famous Pefkia of Xylokasno, Lykoporia, and Derveni.
On the Saronicos side, before reaching the Canal, beaches include Agioi Thedodoroi, and Kalamaki; also along die road to Epidavros, Palio Kalamaki, Kehries, Loutra Oreas Elenis, Almyri, and Korfos.
The last two include Lychnari, Frangolimano, Mikro and Megalo Amoni and Kaloyerolimano. All beaches are spotlessly clean. Surroundings Istmia (km 8). A quiet, coastal village, built on the east side of the Korinth Canal which separates the Peloponnese from central Greece. It was built in the latter part of (he last century, and significantly reduces sailing time and distance (by 185 miles). It was an idea which dares back to Periandrus in ancient times. A number of Roman emperors also thought of it, and had studies of such a project drawn up. But it proved far beyond the possibilities of technology in those days. Instead, a towing device was built which carried boats from one side of the mainland to the other. Posidonia (7th Cenmrv B.C.). Remnants of'Poseidon's shrine (7th Century B.C.) Are round at the village or Kyravrysi. Five kilometres to the south of Isthmia there are the ruins of Ancient Kenghreon, Korinth's harbour on the Saronic Gulf. Part ot it lies into the sea. Kyravrysi has an archaeological museum with finds from Isthmia and Kehrees.
Loutrald (km 12.5). A beautiful coastal city, one of Greece's most important spa resorts, with a constantly developing tourist activity. It retains its cosmopolitan character, while its springs gained special repute during the period between the two world wars.
The local gaming casino attracts many visitors The city itself has three beautiful churches: Agios Andreas, Agios Georgios, and Agios Fanourios. The Monastery of Osios Patapios and the Monastery of Agias Triadas are six to seven kilometres away. Local excavations have brought to light foundations of buildings of Era Akraia, parts of the wall and a section of fortifications of the ancient city of Eashadoris. There is an archaeological museum at Perahora.
Lechaio (km 8). It was one of Korinth's two harbours, the other being Kehrees. Near the coast, there are ruins of a 5th Century basilica.
Rato (km 21). It attracts a large number of visitors in the summer, owing to its proximity to Athens. It lies near ancient Skyona, ruins of which are still to be seen. Under Cleisthenis, it gained renown for its famous school of painting and sculpture. In 303 B.C. Dimitrios the Assailant destroyed the city entirely. The archeological museum contains numerous important finds. Xylokastro (km 34). The coast along the way from Korinth to Derveni and Aegeira is marked by intense tourist activity in the summer.
Xylokastro is a traditional summer resort where you may visit the churches of Faneromeni, Agios Vlasios, and Agios Yerasimos. Along the road from Korinth to Aegira you will come to many nice Beaches at the villages of Brachan, Kato Diminio, Melissi, Sykia, Lykoporia, Lygia and Derveni.
Nemea (km 41). It lies on the edge of the province, close to the border with Argolis. It is surrounded by large vineyards yielding wines that gave the region its great reputation. In ancient times, it gained fame when Hercules carried out one of his Twelve Labours by killing a local lion terrorizing the region.
The most important building on its archeological site is Zeus' shrine (4th Century B.C.) Ongoing excavations have brought to light ruins of baths, a wrestling ring, a stadium, and other constructions. Signs of an early historic residential district were also discovered, as also ruins of the ancient city of Flious (shrines of lvi, Dimitria, Persephone, a temple of Asklepeios on which the church of Zoodochou Pigis (Lifegiving Source) was built, parts of a theatre and other buildings.
Stymphalia (Km 61). A mountain village built in the region of