Patras Tourism Information
Patras, Peloponnese, Greece .

Archaeological excavations have shown the long history of at least four thousand years. Patras was flourished for the first time during the Mycenaean Period (1580-1100 B.C.). During the Roman occupation of Greece in 146 B.C. it became a Roman colony. After that the city experienced a decline probably because of a major earthquake. During the Byzantine times it was again an industrial center and an important port. In 1408 it became Venetian and in 1458 was ruled by the Ottomans. Under the second period of the Ottoman rule the city was prosperous again and became the center of the beginning of the Greek Revolution against the Turks in 1821. Patras was liberated in 1928. In 1829 the Governor of Greece Ioannis Kapodistrias approved a new urban plan which made Patras into the second largest urban center in the 19th century. The city was the main export port for the Peloponnese. Patras developed fast at the beginning of the 20th century but First World War slowed the city’s development and during the Second World War the city was a target for air-raids. After liberation the city tried to recover but it was ever since overshadowed by Athens.

Saint Andrew is the patron saint of the city. Saint Andrew came to Patras during the reign of Emperor Nero to preach Christianity as he was one of the 12 students of Christ. He was crucified as a martyr on an X-shaped cross known ever since as a Saint Andrew’s cross. Two churches were built to honor him an old Byzantine style and a new one completed in the 70’s. The old church is erected over the place of his martyrdom. His relics that consist of a finger and the top of the cranium were transferred to Constantinople and in recent years were kept in the Vatican City until 1964 when they were sent back to Patras. Today the relics are kept in a special tomb in the later Saint Andrew’s Church next to the cross upon which he was martyred.

Today the city is divided into the upper part which is the older and the lower part the new one that forms a geometrically pattern with plenty of squares such as Agiou Georgiou and Psila Alonia. Close to the seafront is the church of Saint Andrew and as a projection stands a replica of the city’s light house used as a café restaurant today.  Two important ancient monuments lay on the upper part of the city. The Roman Odium an ancient musical theatre where the famous Greek ancient tragedies and comedies use to be played in, and still are! The Odium hosts the International Festival every summer consisting mostly of Modern theatrical plays, ancient drama and musical concerts. Overlooking the whole town is the city’s Fortress a medieval Italian castle. Many concerts take place here during the summer.
The city has two Public Universities where Economics, Mathematical sciences, Computer sciences are among the degrees that are studied in and one Technological Institute bringing a large student population in.
Patras hosts the most famous in Greece and one of the biggest Carnivals in Europe which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
Patras is known for its numerous cafes, bars, Restaurants and night clubs.
The city center offers all kind of excellent shops from the most exclusive to the more economic ones.

On the east of the city just 15 minutes away by car there are scenic pebble beaches with crystal blue waters (Elaionas,Akoli) and on the west there are beautiful sandy beaches (Kalogria, Kourouta, Kounoupeli) offering the pleasure not only for a great swim but also the fan  of  many water sports.