Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
It's a butt-kicking - but doable - 4km uphill hike to the fortress, as there's no bus. Try
to grab a lift or take a village taxi.
CORINTH CANAL ΔΙΩΡΥΓΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΟΥ
The concept of cutting a canal through the Corinth Isthmus to link the Ionian and
Aegean Seas was first proposed by Periander, tyrant of Ancient Corinth at the end
of the 7th century BC. The magnitude of the task defeated him, so he opted in-
stead to build adiolkos(paved slipway), across which sailors dragged small ships
on rollers, a method used until the 13th century.
In the intervening years many leaders, including Alexander the Great and Ca-
ligula, toyed with the canal idea, but it was Nero who actually began digging in AD
67. In true megalomaniac fashion, he struck the first blow himself, using a golden
pickaxe. He then left it to 6000 Jewish prisoners to do the hard work. The project
was soon halted by invasions by the Gauls. It was not until the 19th century
(1883-93) that a French engineering company completed the canal.
The Corinth Canal, cut through solid rock, is over 6km long and 23m wide. The
vertical sides rise 90m above the water. The canal did much to elevate Piraeus'
status as a major Mediterranean port. It's an impressive sight, particularly when a
ship is passing through.
€60; 10am-5pm Wed-Sun Jun-Sep)
offers the chance to see the canal walls from a
unique angle.
If you have your own transport, head to nearby Isthmia to the
submersible
bridge
, one of two bridges crossing the canal (the other is near Loutraki). It gives
an excellent perspective of the canal and the nearby banks are great viewing points
if you're lucky enough to see a ship pass over the submerged bridge.
Any bus from Athens passes over the bridge and stops at the KTEL Corinth Isth-
mus, 200m from the canal.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Ancient NemeaΑρχαία Νεμέα
Ancient Nemea
( 27460 22739; site, museum & stadium adult/concession €4/2, site & mu-
seum adult/concession €3/2; museum 8am-3pm, museum closed Mon morning)
, 31km
southwest of Corinth, lies on the northeastern edge of modern Nemea. This stunning site
is growing in popularity, helped by the fact that a two-day 'Modern Nemea' Games oc-
curs for two days each Olympic year in June. According to mythology it was around this
area that Hercules carried out the first of his labours - the slaying of the lion that had
