Uncover Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth in the Peloponnese In 2023

Roughly halfway betwixt Athens and Sparta connected the Peloponnese Peninsula of Greece is Corinth.

It’s a celebrated city, though not for the modern metropolis that present sits connected the Isthmus of Corinth (the constrictive agelong of onshore that joins the Peloponnese to mainland Greece) but for the past metropolis it erstwhile was.

Ancient Corinth with Acrocorinth connected the upland top

Visiting Corinth and the Acrocorinth is simply a must-do for past buffs and fans of past Greek mythology.

These 2 important historical sites are immoderate of the astir important successful the Peloponnese and tin easy beryllium seen unneurotic successful 1 day. I saw them connected my mode from Athens to Nafplio connected my 7-Day roadworthy travel of the Peloponnese.

In this guide, I’ll beryllium showing you however to research the ruins of past temples of Corinth, instrumentality you connected a measurement backmost successful clip and springiness you the champion tips for however to immerse yourself successful the affluent past and civilization of Greece.

But first…

Is Ancient Corinth and the Acrocorinth Worth Visiting?

Acrocorinth – worthy a climb!

I mentioned earlier that Corinth and the Acrocorinth are 2 of the astir important sites successful the Peloponnese, not conscionable for their historical value but besides their religious.

Heard of St Paul anyone? 

If you’re of the Christian religion past you surely person heard of his letters to the Corinthians.

Ancient Corinth is wherever helium lived for a clip connected his ngo to person the Gentiles to the Corinthians, and those letters helium wrote came aft erstwhile helium moved to Ephesus successful Turkey. 

I knew that erstwhile I started readying my Peloponnese roadworthy trip.

Since I visited the spot wherever Jesus was baptized successful Jordan last year, and Ephesus many years agone I felt it was a large summation to my ain idiosyncratic question travel to besides sojourn here.

I was baptized a Catholic and attended Catholic schools each the mode up to University, but americium nary longer practicing. 

2 Corinthians

But it’s not conscionable Christians and Catholics who volition find Corinth and the Acrocorinth worthy visiting, it’s besides located successful a stunning earthy location.

I had nary thought of the quality of not conscionable Ancient Corinth, but Acrocorinth that stands defender implicit the metropolis precocious supra connected a upland peak.

Acrocorinth is 1 of the best places to sojourn successful the Peloponnese for travelers with an adventurous tone and funny nature. 

Whether you’re a past enthusiast, a civilization lover, oregon simply seeking a unsocial experience, Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth are must-visit destinations. 

A Brief History of Ancient Corinth

The Museum courtyard

The past metropolis of Corinth holds a important spot successful Greek past for its strategical location, prosperous trade, and influential culture.

Situated betwixt the Ionian Sea and the Aegean Sea, Corinth controlled the constrictive Isthmus, a cardinal commercialized way connecting the Mediterranean and the Black Sea and founding determination of the Isthmian Games. 

It had a beardown subject beingness arsenic a strategical determination for galore wars implicit its past past and it experienced a bid of governmental changes, alternating betwixt periods of independence, Spartan control, and domination by different determination powers. 

Even aft a play of diminution during the Roman Conquest, it maintained its taste value until it underwent a important municipality renewal task initiated by Julius Caesar and aboriginal completed by Emperor Augustus. 

The metropolis was rebuilt with a Roman architectural style, including temples, basilicas, and a forum. It became the superior of the Roman state of Achaea and a bustling cosmopolitan center.

Corinth continued to thrive done the Roman play and during the aboriginal Christian era.

The Apostle Paul visited Corinth successful the 1st period CE and established a Christian assemblage there.

It was said helium arrived successful Corinth successful 49 oregon 50 AD and created the archetypal Church of Corinth, wherever helium met Priscilla and Aquila, who became 2 of the Seventy Disciples.

His letters to the Corinthians, known arsenic the First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians, signifier an integral portion of the New Testament.

Ancient Corinth Wars

Ancient Corinth was a city-state that played a important relation successful galore of the large wars of Ancient Greece.

One of the astir celebrated wars involving Corinth was the Peloponnesian War, which lasted from 431 – 405 BCE and pitted Corinth, Sparta and different allies against Athens and its allies.

Corinth besides played a starring relation successful the Corinthian War (395–387 BC), which saw an confederation of Greek city-states spell to warfare against Sparta.

Additionally, Corinth was progressive successful the famed Battle of Leuctra (371 BCE), wherever Thebes defeated Sparta and marked a turning constituent successful Greek history.

These conflicts helped signifier past Greece and are important events successful the past of Corinth.

Ancient Corinth Mythology

Ancient Corinth is besides steeped successful mythology and spiritual belief, with galore stories and legends associated with the city.

One of the astir celebrated myths is that of King Sisyphus’s Grandson, the past ruler of the metropolis and a leader who tamed the winged equine Pegasus and defeated the fearsome Chimera, a monster with the assemblage of a lion, caput of a goat, and process of a serpent.

Another story involves the deity Poseidon, God of the Sea, who is said to person visited Corinth and blessed the metropolis with his presence.

The goddess Aphrodite was besides revered successful Corinth, and her temple determination was 1 of the astir celebrated and well-visited successful past Greece.

Where is Corinth and How to Get There?

Ancient Corinth is astir an hour’s thrust from Athens – depending connected traffic. ( see rental car prices and availability here)

Follow the A8/E94 road towards Corinth, and past instrumentality the Corinth Canal Road (EO8) to scope the archaeological site. Parking is disposable adjacent the entrance.

There is simply a bid from Athens to Corinth, wherever you tin instrumentality a taxi oregon bus. 

Looking implicit Ancient Corinth from Acrocorinth

You volition request a car to get to Acrocorinth, which is located 10 minutes from Ancient Corinth. While it is simply a windy roadworthy to the apical of the mountain, it’s not overly scary oregon steep. 

Buses bash not spell up here, truthful you volition request your ain car, oregon prosecute a taxi from Ancient Corinth. 

You tin besides hike up to the top. Note, it volition beryllium a steep hike, and determination are a batch of trails erstwhile you get to the apical to spot the expansive area, truthful it could beryllium tiring combining the two. 

Alternatively, there are circuit options from Athens to sojourn Ancient Corinth.

I visited Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth connected my mode to Nafplio from Athens connected my 7-day Peloponnese roadworthy trip. I spent astir 3 hours exploring this area. 

I could person stayed longer successful Acrocorinth, but being honorable here, I desperately needed a bath interruption and determination were nary facilities up here! So present you cognize to instrumentality attraction of that earlier coming up! I marque the mistakes to assistance you debar them!

What to Do successful Ancient Corinth

You’ll request 1-2 hours to research the archaeological tract of Ancient Corinth. Best quality is, it’s a escaped Peloponnese attraction!

One happening I noticed astatine the tourer attractions successful Greece, determination are not a batch of large informational boards. 

I was disappointed to larn of this self-guided audio circuit of Old Corinth aft my visit.

I loved the 1 I had for the past past sites successful Athens and deliberation it would beryllium a large summation to your sojourn astatine this important humanities site. 

You whitethorn adjacent privation to articulation a guided tour, truthful you don’t miss immoderate of the stories, tin recognize what you’re looking astatine successful the excavations, and larn astir the highlights.

There is simply a tiny depository you tin statesman oregon extremity your sojourn with. Beside the depository connected this somewhat elevated level are much ruins of Ancient Corinth that I lone saw arsenic I drove away!

And it’s wherever immoderate of the apical highlights, similar the Odeion and the Theatre are!! 

Simply wandering done the archaeological parkland allows you to admit the layout and enactment of past Corinth. 

The remains of assorted buildings, streets, and monuments supply a tangible transportation to the city’s past, offering a fascinating travel done time. I besides loved the galore beauteous trees successful the archaeological park, giving you a shady spot to remainder and ponder should you wish. 

Here are immoderate of the highlights.

Temple of Apollo

One of the the fewer lasting Archaic Greek Temples successful the world, this Doric temple, dedicated to the deity of airy and music, is the poster kid for Archaeological Site of Ancient Corinth.

It’s said to beryllium 1 of the oldest temples successful the analyzable and dates backmost to the 4th period BCE.

Take your clip to locomotion astir its perimeter and respect imposing monolithic columns. The views from the beforehand with the upland down it are extraordinary. 

Peirene Fountain 

Fountain of Peirene is simply a well-preserved past spring. It was a captious h2o root for the metropolis and holds mythological value arsenic it was believed to beryllium the spot wherever Pegasus, the winged horse, struck the crushed with its hoof, causing the h2o to gush forth.

Myth besides says that aft 1 of her children was killed by Artemis, the nymph Peirene Peirene was consumed by grief to specified an grade that she underwent a singular metamorphosis—she dissolved into tears, yet transforming into a flowing spring.

Whatever, it whitethorn be, the fountain is simply a beauteous site. Imagine what it indispensable person looked similar erstwhile it was decorated with vibrant frescoes depicting water creatures similar fish, shrimp, and lobsters. 

Lechaion Road

Remains of shops on Lechaion Road

This past Roman roadworthy connected the metropolis of Corinth to its larboard of Lechaion connected the Corinthian Gulf.

Walking on this well-preserved road, bordered by what was erstwhile shops and nationalist buildings, offers a glimpse into the infrastructure and municipality readying of past times.

Bema of St Paul

Berna of St Paul

The Berna is simply a ample elevated rostrum lasting prominently successful the halfway of the Roman Forum and is wherever the city’s officials erstwhile addressed the public.

It’s of ample humanities value for Christians arsenic it’s said to beryllium the spot wherever St Paul was enactment connected proceedings for amerciable spiritual teachings.

He was recovered not blameworthy due to the fact that helium was conscionable having discussions.

 Probably due to the fact that of the monument’s transportation to Saint Paul, the Bema was transformed into a Christian religion during the Byzantine period.

Lunch Break Outside the Gates

Outside of the Ancient Corinth Gates are a enactment of restaurants to substance up with java and luncheon earlier driving up the mountain.

I enjoyed sitting astatine a cafe enjoying luncheon successful the prima portion looking up astatine the Acropolis of Ancient Corinth above. My meatballs were conscionable good – a small connected the adust broadside – but I loved my haloumi, cucumber, and herb drizzled successful balsamic!

Make definite you person your bath interruption earlier venturing up to Acrocorinth – determination are nary facilities up there.

Visiting Acrocorinth

All bully things travel to those who are prepared to climb. Acrocorinth is wherever you tin flight the crowds arsenic fewer dare. 

I was undecided connected whether to sojourn Acrocorinth until I saw it from Ancient Corinth.

I’m truthful gladsome I followed that curiosity due to the fact that it rapidly became 1 of my favourite attractions successful the Peloponnese. It is considered to beryllium the largest, highest, and astir spectacular akropolis of Ancient Greece.

Frankish Tower views

A Brief History of Acrocorinth

Acrocorinth is the past fortress perched connected a 575 meters supra oversea level array mountain. As immoderate bully acropolis its intent was to support the metropolis below.

Its elevated presumption enabled the subject to show the isthmus of the Gulf of Corinth and support Ancient Corinth below. 

Isthmus of the Gulf of Corinth

Its past spans respective millennia, and the tract has played a important relation successful assorted periods of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history.

Over time, Acrocorinth gradually mislaid its subject importance, and the fortifications fell into disrepair.

Can’t get capable of these views from here

Today, you tin intelligibly spot the power of the antithetic ruling eras successful the fortress’s interior: walls of Byzantine houses and churches basal adjacent to ruins of aged temples, Venetian towers and Ottoman mosques.

17th Century travelers reported that houses occupied the country adjacent to the gates were inhabited by Muslims and Christians. The colonisation of the castle and little metropolis was nether 1,500. Three to 4 mosques and 5 to six tiny churches were wrong the castle grounds, immoderate of which the remains of are inactive disposable today.

What to Do astatine the Castle of Acrocorinth

I would let for 1-2 hours to research this past tract of Greece. I privation I stayed longer than an hour. 

Spend clip hiking the trails to spot the remnants of past walls, towers, byzantine springs, gates, churches, and mosques, and temples, reflecting the divers taste influences that person shaped the hilltop fortress passim the centuries. 

Not lone did I get bonzer views of the Corinth countryside and Gulf of Corinth but, connected my May visit, the grounds were vibrant with wildflowers, and lush greenery.

Here are a fewer of the highlights of an Acrocorinth Visit.

Upper and Lower Gates

The steep ascent to the gates

Firstly, you’ll beryllium swept distant by the steep ascent up the cobblestone way done the awesome gates of the fortress connected its westbound side.

This is fundamentally the lone entranceway to the fortified citadel and was heavy fortified by 3 immense walls, antiaircraft towers and a moat. 

These unstable, rocky, steep slopes proceed arsenic you research the fortress. Ensure you deterioration grippy, supportive shoes. 

Check retired the Fortifications 

The extended fortifications of Acrocorinth instrumentality up a wide ellipse connected the borderline of the rocky outcrop. 

You tin locomotion on the well-preserved walls, which showcase assorted architectural styles from antithetic humanities periods.

The fortified gates, towers, enclosures, and bastions supply insights into the antiaircraft strategies employed passim the centuries.

The singular antiaircraft partition strategy has a full magnitude of astir 2 km, and was built to incorporated into the earthy monolith face.

On the north, east, and southbound sides of the upland the tract is protected by steep, rocky slopes and cliffs.

Temple of Aphrodite

Located adjacent the highest constituent of Acrocorinth, the Temple of Aphrodite was a salient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess of emotion and beauty.

Though present successful ruins, you tin inactive spot the foundations of the temple and admit its value arsenic a spot of worship successful past times.

This was the astir celebrated and important sanctuary of Aphrodite, known for the alleged signifier of “sacred prostitution”.

Agios Dimitrios Church

Agios Dimitrios Church

Don’t miss the Venetian church, Agios Dimitrios Church. It’s 1 of the lone mostly intact buildings wrong the castle grounds.

Inside the church

You tin spell wrong to spot its partition frescoes and ringing the doorbell connected the extracurricular if you wish! There is simply a way going down present starring to the fortress walls and different viewpoint! 

Fountain of Upper Peirene

The Fountain of Upper Peirene is an past outpouring located wrong Acrocorinth.

It is believed to beryllium the precocious portion of the outpouring associated with the mythological nymph Peirene, who turned into tears and transformed into a spring. (You’ll spot the little portion down successful Ancient Corinth!)

Others accidental that Sisyphos witnessed Zeus “ravish” the girl of Asopus, Aegina.

He told Asopus astir the abduction, and successful instrumentality for the information, Sisyphos requested a spring. And that’s however the outpouring successful the fountain of Upper Peirene came to be.

Whichever communicative you believe, the fountains archaeological remains are a testament to the value of h2o sources successful past fortresses.

Regretfully, I did not marque the way retired present but could spot it successful the distance. If you person time, I highly urge it!

Acrocorinth Mosque

Constructed during the Ottoman period, the domed Acrocorinth mosque is an awesome operation wrong Acrocorinth.

It represents the power of Islamic civilization and architecture successful the portion and offers a unsocial blend of styles. 

The Frankish Tower

One of the astir salient structures successful Acrocorinth, which you’ll spot from each way is the Frankish Tower. 

Perched connected apical of the smaller of the citadel’s 2 peaks, it keeps ticker implicit the surrounding countryside. You tin ascent up this two-story observatory operation for a view.

Views and Panoramas successful Acrocorinth

One of the highlights of Acrocorinth is the breathtaking panoramic views it offers.

From the elevated vantage points, you tin bask stunning vistas of the Corinthian Isthmus, the surrounding countryside, and the Aegean Sea.

The views supply a singular position connected the geographical value and strategical determination of Acrocorinth.

The maps connected the informational boards are a small confusing and trails are moving everywhere. Just travel the trails pointing to the fortification walls, for astonishing views. 

My favourite was close successful the northeastern country – it progressive a somewhat steep climb. You’ll person 360 gorgeous views of past Corinth, the olive grove covered slopes and plains sprawling beneath including a large presumption of the isthmus which this fortress was designed to monitor.

Visiting Penteskoufi / Montesquieue Castle

The archetypal highest successful the region is Penteskoufi Castle

On the different broadside of the acropolis is different fortress sitting connected a tiny highest called Penteskoufi oregon Montesquieue Castle. 

It was built by the Franks successful 1205 erstwhile they were attempting to overthrow Acrocorinth. I could spot a way going determination but did not spot wherever it began successful the parking lot.

It looks steep and challenging but whitethorn beryllium an enactment if you privation much adventure.

Tips for Visiting Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth

Apart from my aforementioned bath tip, present are a fewer much suggestions to assistance guarantee you’ll person a large clip exploring these past humanities Greek sites. 

1. Plan your visit: Before heading to Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth, instrumentality the clip to probe and program your trip. Look into the opening hours, summons prices, and immoderate guided tours available. This volition assistance you marque the astir of your clip and guarantee you don’t miss immoderate important landmarks oregon sites similar I did. Although this station volition beryllium a large assistance to you!
2. Wear comfy shoes: Exploring Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth involves walking and climbing, truthful it’s indispensable to deterioration comfy shoes that supply bully support. The terrain tin beryllium uneven, truthful sturdy footwear is recommended. 
3. Bring h2o and snacks: It’s important to enactment hydrated and energized during your visit, particularly successful the lukewarm weather. Carry a vessel of h2o and immoderate snacks to support yourself refreshed passim the day. I did not instrumentality my h2o vessel with maine to Acororinth reasoning it would beryllium a abbreviated visit. I regretted it aft the archetypal elevation successful the beating sun. You’ll walk longer than you deliberation there. 
4. Sun protection: The Greek prima tin beryllium intense, truthful don’t hide to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to support yourself from harmful UV rays. Consider bringing an umbrella oregon seeking shadiness during the hottest hours of the day.
5. Learn astir the past of Corinth: Familiarize yourself with the past of Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth earlier your visit. This volition heighten your acquisition and let you to admit the value of the ruins and archaeological sites you encounter.
6. Take your clip to explore: Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth are affluent successful humanities and archaeological treasures. Take your clip to rotation done the ruins, respect the architecture, and soak successful the atmosphere. Don’t unreserved done the sites; instead, let yourself to beryllium transported backmost successful time.
7. Enjoy the panoramic views: Acrocorinth offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area. Take a infinitesimal to admit the stunning vistas and seizure immoderate memorable photos.
8. Follow the rules and respect the sites: Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth are important humanities sites, truthful it’s important to respect the rules and regulations. Avoid climbing connected restricted areas, touching the artifacts, oregon littering. By being a liable visitor, you lend to the preservation of these past sites for aboriginal generations.
9. Engage with a guide: Consider hiring a knowledgeable usher oregon joining a guided tour. They tin supply invaluable insights, stock fascinating stories, and assistance you summation a deeper knowing of the sites.
10. Visit aboriginal oregon precocious successful the day: To debar crowds and the midday heat, program your sojourn to Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth during the aboriginal greeting oregon precocious afternoon. This volition let you to bask a much tranquil and comfy experience. There were fewer visitors erstwhile I visited Ancient Corinth successful the aboriginal greeting (only immoderate schoolhouse groups) but the crowds were coming successful aboriginal that day erstwhile I passed done present aft Acorcorinth (on my huffy dash to find a bathroom!)
11. Stay successful Nafplio: It’s lone 45 minutes from present and is simply a stunning Venetian coastal municipality with galore things to do. It was my favourite spot connected the Peloponnese. I loved my pension successful the Old City. At €65 a night, it was a large woody particularly for its location, and patio with views.

I person galore much posts and tips coming for question successful the Peloponnese. Here is my Peloponnese itinerary. Join our escaped email assemblage truthful you don’t miss them!

Other Nearby Attractions

The Corinth Canal

Take vantage of the determination and research different adjacent attractions, specified arsenic the Corinth Canal, the past metropolis of Mycenae and Nemea, Epidaurus oregon the beauteous seaside municipality of Nafplio.

I recovered the engineering marvel of the Corinth Canal to beryllium underwhelming, but you volition walk done it if coming from Athens, truthful you mightiness arsenic good halt for 5 minutes to spot it.

Final Thoughts connected Visiting Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth

Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth was an unexpected astonishment connected my Peloponnese vacation. It’s good worthy a sojourn either connected a time travel from Athens oregon portion of a larger vacation successful this region.

It’s hard to judge that Acorcorinth is simply a lesser known and visited humanities tract successful Greece.

It was precise awesome and if you person an involvement successful Ancient Greek, this is 1 of the must-see places successful the Peloponnese to springiness you an penetration into the layers of past and the taste influences that shaped this past fortress.

Spend clip immersing yourself successful the captivating history, and archaeological wonders of Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth.

By pursuing these tips, you’re definite to person an unforgettable and enriching acquisition that volition transport you backmost successful clip to the glory days of past Greece. Happy exploring!