CHURCH OF AGIOS ANDREAS

The biggest Orthodox Church in the Balkans (capacity 5.500 people), Saint Andreas is of an impressive architecture. Beautiful religious paintings and icons decorate the interior, while visitors can see the saint's skull and part of the cross he was crucified on. On the exact spot where Saint Andreas died a martyr to his faith, lies the old basilica, built on the ruins of the ancient temple of goddess Demeter. 199, Ag. Andreou str., tel: 2610-321184.






ROMAN ODEON
Dated 160 A.C., the Odeon was banked up through the years, was rediscovered in 1889, was restored in 1952 and, since then, has been hosting the performances and concerts of the International Summer Festival (capacity 2.000 people). In its yard, you can see sarcophagus and beautiful mosaics of the Roman period. Germanou and Sotiriadou street - Free entrance. Open daily except Monday 08.00-15.00, Tel: 2610-220829.






OTHER ROMAN MONUMENTS
  • Aquaduct: 6 km long, Patras' aqueduct extends until the foot of Dassylio hill.
  • North Cemetery: dated 1st-2nd century AD.
  • Stadium: 300m. long, is still being excavated.
  • Nympheon
  • Meilichos Bridge: a well-preserved bridge with two brick arches and a base built with carved stones.




     


    THE CASTLE
    Constructed by the emperor Justinian over the ruins of Patras' Ancient Acropolis, where a variety of archaeological finds is displayed today. Through the ages, the castle was conquered and reconstructed by the Franks, Constantinos Paleologos, the Venetians and the Turks. Upper city - Free entrance - Open daily except Monday 08.30-15.00. Tel. 2610-623390.






    'APOLLO' THEATRE
    In 1872, Patras obtained its own theatre-opera house, with an Italian stage and a double row of boxes, around the same period when the great capitals of Europe (Paris, Barcelona and Vienna) obtained theirs. Today, it hosts the performances of the Municipal and Regional Theatre of Patras. King George A' sq. Free entrance. Open Monday to Friday, 08:00-13:30.







    PANTOKRATORAS CHURCH
    Built on the ruins of the ancient temple of Zeus, Pantokratoras is a Byzantine church, which was converted into a mosque during the Turkish occupation. Pantokratoros & Ilias str. Free entrance. Open daily, 08:00-11:00 & 16:30-19:00, tel. 2610-279454.








    TURKISH HOT BATHS (HAMMAM)
    Dated 1500 AD, the Hammam is still in use today. 29, Boukaouri str. Tel. 2610-274627. Entrance fee: 5,00 euros.






    CITY HALL
    It was built in 1880 and has been used as a city hall since 1910. Its interior is decorated with the beautiful paintings of Patras' famous painter E. Thomopoulos. 108, Mezonos & Votsi str.








    ACHAIA CLAUSS
    Built in 1854, the chateau of Achaia Clauss was the first winery in Greece. Today 70% of the production is exported in 43 countries in Europe and worldwide, while the reception room in the chateau (cellar Daniilida) is decorated with many international awards, together with the dedications of famous personalities who visited the winery (Bismark, General Montgomery, Eugene O' Neil, Franz List etc.). Each year, about 200.000 visitors climb up to Achaia Clauss, to visit the installations and cellars of the famous winery. Petroto, Patras. Free entrance. Open daily, 10:00-17:00, tel. 2610-368100.





    THE CARNIVAL WORKSHOP
    A workshop, where the floats of Patras Carnival and other decorative items are manufactured and preserved in. Petroto, Patras.








    PATRAS HYDROELECTRIC STATION
    The first hydroelectric station in Greece is located in the area of Glafkos river and is functioning with its waters. In the photo, you can see the vertical pipeline that starts from the top of the hill and rapidly carries the water down to the electric generators. It is also open to the public as a museum. Glafkos, Patras.
    Open daily 08.00-14.00






    OLD MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
    A complex of consecutively constructed buildings, designed by the Danish architect Theofilos Hansen in 1872. It functioned as a municipal hospital for 100 years. Today, it accommodates the cultural centre of the Municipality of Patras.






    MUNICIPAL SLAUGHTERHOUSES
    An excellent sample of industrial architecture that was built in 1903 and operated as the city's slaughterhouse until 1998. In 1998 it was renovated and today it consists of a cultural and entertaining venue.





    THE CASTLE OF RIO
    Built in 1499, together with the castle of Antirrio by the sultan Vagiazit II, to control the sea passage between the Ionian Sea and the Corinthian Bay, a passage also known as 'Mikra Dardanellia'. The castle was successively occupied by Spain and Genova, reoccupied by the Turks and finally surrendered to the French general Maison, in 1928.
    Open daily except Monday 08.30-15.00





    RIO-ANTIRRIO BRIDGE
    The longest cable bridge in the world, 2.250m. long, successfully joined Western Greece and was delivered in 2004.

    www.gefyra.gr







    RECREATION OPEN SPACES WITH A VIEW OVER THE CITY OR THE SEA
    Dassylio, Ipsila Alonia Square, the Lighthouse, King George A´ Square, the Marina.






    MUSEUMS
  • New Archaeological Museum: under construction
  • Archaeological Museum: exhibits sculptures and mosaics, vessels and jewelry from the Hellenic and roman period. EVERY DAY EXCEPT MONDAY, 08.30- 15.00,MEZONOS 42, 2610 275070
  • Ethnological Museum: with arms, paintings and scriptures dated 18th and 19th century. EVERY DAY EXCEPT MONDAY AND FRIDAY 11.00-13.00, SQUEAR GEORGIOY A' , 2610 274962
  • Museum of Press: books dated 1604, as well as important historic documents and records about Patras and Greece since 1875. FROM MONDAY UNTIL FRIDAY 09.00-13.00, MEZONOS 200, 2610 310488
  • Museum of Traditional Art: with exhibits from everyday life and working habits during the pre-industrial age. FROM MONDAY UNTIL FRIDAY 10.30-13.00, KORYTSAS & MAVROKORDATOY, 2610 334713
  • Zoological museum of Patras University: with approximately 3.000 stuffed birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and shells.Ôel: 2610 969214 www.upatras.gr/culture/museums/zoology.php?lang=en
  • Botanical museum of Patras University: with 90.000 desiccated plants of Greek and European flora. Ôel: 2610 969200 www.upatras.gr/culture/museums/botanic.php?lang=en


    • CHURCHES-MONASTERIES
    Anglican church of Saint Andrew. Founded in 1872 by the protestant community of Patras, the church was completed in 1878. It is built with granite stones brought in from Scotland. Catholic church of Saint Andrew: the presbytery and the parish rooms were built after 1870, while the church was built in two phases, in 1925 and 1937.
    the church of Pantanassa was inaugurated in 1859; it has an impressive interior decoration. the church of Annunciation of Virgin Mary was completed in 1846 by the Bavarian architect Tsiller. Since 1856, it has been the official cathedral of the city of Patras.
    Founded in 10th century, the Monastery of Ghirokomeio and the church of Prophet Ilias (as the monastery's dependency). The church of Saint Nikolaos is situated in the suburb of Patras Platani. It is a Byzantine church of the 10th century.