Travels through History : The Peloponnese – Corinth

This is an excerpt from my forthcoming book called Travels through History : The Peloponnese.

Corinth is the gateway to the astounding region called The Peloponnese. The first thing to do is cross the Corinth Canal and then walk back to stand in the middle of the bridge and see yachts and medium-sized ships use this canal, started in 1882 and completed in 1893. The Corinth Canal enabled Piraeus to become the major port of Greece. 

Ancient Corinth had a reputation for luxury and importance, as it was a trading hub for the whole of the Mediterranean, and had a high cost of living and the finest courtesans. Sports enthusiasts should know that the Isthmian Games, which were second only in importance to the Olympic Games, originated here in 582 BC and took place every two years. Artists will be aware that the sculptor Kallimachos invented the Corinthian Column in the 5th Century BC.

The entrance to Archaia Korinthos, or Ancient Corinth, is on the west side of the site. The visible remains all date from the Roman period. I started at the Temple of Octavian and then visited the museum before admiring the seven Doric columns that were re-erected to mark the site of the Temple of Apollo. The sacred fountain called the Iera Krini is on one side of the large agora where I saw the foundations of Roman shops. Then there’s the South Stoa, which was used by the Greeks as a hotel, but the Romans converted it into an administrative centre. The base of the entrance (Propylaea) to the agora is still visible. 

The most famous place at this site is the Pirini Krini or Peirene Fountain, which dates from the 6th Century BC and the six stone arches that date from this time stand in front of a row of underground reservoirs.