(source of image https://explore.patras.gr/patra-today/)
City of Patras:
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Patras became an important commercial and industrial center and the main exporting node of Greece to Western Europe. Patras is still one of the major ports of Greece and the capital of Western Greece. it has a population of a quarter of a million and is linked with all the major cities of Greece and Europe via land, sea and air.
Archaeological Museum of Patras:
Located on the highway that leads to Athens and being practically a landmark of the city of Patras, the Archaeological Museum dominates by its innovative architectural style and design. Spacious in layout, equipped with various facilities and amenities (conservation laboratories, conference and administration offices, multi-media room, parking lot etc), it accommodates an auditorium, museum-shop and a large hall (200s.m.) for periodical exhibitions. Thematically divided into units, the permanent collection is displayed in three imposing galleries allowing multiple views and good perspective of the exhibits. (source: http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/eh151.jsp?obj_id=3248)
Fortress of Patras:
The castle of Patras was built in the second half of the 6th century A.D. on the ruins of the ancient Acropolis. In A.D. 805 the inhabitants of the city were besieged in the castle by the Slavs and Saracens and their victory, considered a miracle of the city’s patron saint Andrew, was important for repelling the barbarian invasions in Peloponnese. In the following centuries the castle, which remained continuously in use until the Second World War for the defense of the city, as well as an administrative and military centre, was captured by the Franks, Venetians, Palaiologoi and Turks.
The castle consists of a triangular outer enclosure reinforced with towers and bastions, which was originally protected by a deep moat and an inner enclosure rising on the N.E. angle and protected by a moat as well. The building phases distinguishable today on the castle provide evidence for the works carried out by each of its conquerors as repairs and provisions according to the development of military science. The original construction is visible today mainly along the north wall, but remains of it exist on all three sides of the curtain indicating that the original medieval fortification had more or less the same perimeter. (source http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=932).
Saint Andrew Cathedral
The Church of Agios Andreas in Patras was built in 1836-1843. It is the work of Lysandros Kavtatzoglou and is an excellent example of neoclassical architecture. The architect collaborated with Zakynthian craftsmen, with his paternal painter Spyros Kalatzopoulos, the illustrator and gilder G. Kalatzopoulos and others, such as Epirotis S. Papamoschou, whose work is the large silver chandelier, and N. Vitalis, whose work is the larnaca. It follows the rhythm of the three-aisled basilica.
Next to the church of Agios Andreas (St. Andrew), there is the Anglican church of St. Andrew. A building of great architectural interest. It dates back to 1878 and is historically connected to the city of Patras. (source: https://www.arxaiologikoktimatologio.gov.gr/el/monuments_info?id=148336&type=Monument)
Achaia Clauss winery
Achaia Clauss, located on the namesake hill, was founded in 1861 by the Bavarian Gustav Clauss who came to Patras in 1854 to work at a German raisin export company. On one of his trips, he got to know the region and was impressed by its stunning scenery. He initially bought a vineyard of just 15 acres and eventually built the Winecastle, still preserved until today.
The sweet red wine that Gustav Clauss first produced in 1873 was given the name “Mavrodaphne” in honour of Daphne, his Greek beloved with the beautiful black eyes (Mavro means black in Greek), who died at a young age. Gustav Clauss is considered to be the inventor and establisher of the concept of Wine Tourism in Greece, following the visit of Austro-Hungarian Empress Sissi in 1885, in whose honour he even named a cellar (Imperial Cellar). (source: https://www.achaiaclauss.gr/)
The Rion/Antirrion Bridge
The Rio – Antirrio Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world, completed in 2004 and is a landmark of 21st century Greece, improving the movement of people and goods in Western Greece.
With the completion of the project, the vision which Charilaos Trikoupis (Prime Minister of Greece) had more than a hundred years ago, to connect the narrow sea passage between Rio and Antirrion, became a reality. (source: https://www.gefyra.gr/en/)
Patras is a city with rich archaeological and historical heritage, for more information please visit: https://www.arxaiologikoktimatologio.gov.gr/en and https://explore.patras.gr/en/