Corinthia

Corinthia occupies the northeastern tip of the Peloponnese, bordered by the Gulf of Corinth to the north and the Saronic Gulf to the east. It is crossed by the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow strip of land that links the Peloponnese to mainland Greece and is now spanned by the famous Corinth Canal^★. This crossroads position largely explains the history and identity of the region.

It is often a region passed through by visitors on their way to Nafplio or Athens. Close to Athens and crossed by the main roads of the Peloponnese, Corinthia lends itself both to a day trip around the Isthmus and to several days of exploration between ancient sites, coastline and mountains.

One of the most powerful ancient cities in Greece

Thanks to its position on the Isthmus, between two seas, Ancient Corinth^★ was in antiquity one of the richest and most powerful cities in Greece, prospering from maritime trade. Razed by Rome in 146 BC, it was refounded a century later by Julius Caesar as a Roman colony. The fortress of Acrocorinth^★★, perched 575 metres above the ancient site, still dominates the plain and the gulf today.

Vineyards, coastline and ancient sites

Beyond the city of Corinth and its ancient site, the region offers several kinds of discovery. Inland, Nemea^★ preserves the temple of Zeus and the stadium where the Nemean Games were held, one of the four great Panhellenic contests of antiquity; its surroundings are today one of the most renowned wine-growing areas of the Peloponnese. Further west, the more discreet sites of Stymphalus and Pheneus continue this archaeological and mythological vein, far from the crowds. The coastline, from Loutraki to Xylokastro, alternates seaside resorts, beaches and small harbours facing the Gulf of Corinth.

Near the Isthmus, Isthmia preserves the remains of the sanctuary of Poseidon, where the Isthmian Games, one of the four great Panhellenic contests, were held. North of Loutraki, the Perachora peninsula is home to the Heraion ★★, an ancient sanctuary established beside a cove, near the Melagavi lighthouse and Lake Vouliagmeni.

West of Corinth, ancient Sicyon ★ was an important city, particularly renowned for its artists. Its archaeological site includes a vast Hellenistic theatre, an agora and a museum housed in Roman baths.