Corinth Canal
Hold your breath for an awesome view over the manmade Corinth Canal. The canal of Corinth isthmus was delivered on 25 July 1893 though its history originates back to the late 7th century B.C. when the tyrant of Corinth Periander first set the vision of the canal. Through the timeline the first real attempt to dig the canal was initiated by Roman emperor Nero, to no success, and it was only until late 19th century, 25 centuries after the first conception, the coordinated work of visionary leaders, architects and engineers from all over Europe delivered this awesome project.
Epidavros
In the peaceful hinterland of Epidavros is the sanctuary of the god-physician Asklepios, the most famous healing centre of the Greek and Roman world. It is considered the birthplace of medicine and is thought to have had more than two hundred dependent spas in the eastern Mediterranean. Its monuments, true masterpieces of ancient Greek art, are a precious testimony to the practice of medicine in antiquity. Indeed they illustrate the development of medicine from the time when healing depended solely on the god until systematic description of cases and the gradual accumulation of knowledge and experience turned it into a science. Among the greatest monuments of Greek Antiquity, the famous theatre at the Asklepieion of Epidavros, the finest and most renowned of its kind, combines perfect acoustics with elegance and symmetrical proportions, qualities praised already in the second century AD by traveller and geographer Pausanias.
Mycenae
Mycenae ‘Rich in Gold’, the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon, first sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization, while the myths related to its history have inspired poets and writers over many centuries, from the Homeric epics and the great tragedies of the Classical period to contemporary literary and artistic creation.
Nafplio
One of the most beautiful towns in eastern Peloponnese as well as one of the most romantic cities all over Greece, Nafplio was the first capital of the newly born Greek state between 1823 and 1834. Admire the medieval Old Town, the narrow cobblestone alleys, the neoclassical well preserved mansions with the Bougainvillea trees adorning their yards and balconies and the Turkish fountains. Photoshoot the venetian fortresses at Palamidi, Akronafplia and Bourtzi and enjoy a delicious greek lunch either by the sea or within the old city’s alleys.
Ancient Olympia
In western Peloponnese, in the beautiful valley of the Alpheios river, lies the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, it sprawls over the southwest foot of Mount Kronios, at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers, in a lush, green landscape. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic centre in Greece. Its fame rests upon the Olympic Games, the greatest national festival and a highly prestigious one world-wide, which was held every four years to honour Zeus. The archaeological site of Olympia includes the sanctuary of Zeus and the many buildings erected around it, such as athletic premises used for the preparation and celebration of the Olympic Games, administrative buildings and other lay buildings and monuments.
Visit the Ancient Corinth site to admire the temple of Apollo with the unique monolithic columns and the Roman aged ruins such as temples, fountains, porticoes, baths, latrines and various other monuments. Feel the mystique of the place where Apostle Paul lived and preached for 18 months.