General Information

Capital of Achaia prefecture, Patra has 160.500 residents and is 219km from Athens. In the city are lots of sights that testify the historical presence of Patra during the centuries. Admirable residues of the Roman period reveal the bloom of that period. Between them the Roman Conservatory in St. George square built around 161 AD used today for cultural events, the 1st century AD Roman amphitheater, the Roman water tower and the two Roman Nymfaia that functioned as recreation space with gardens and water springs. Impressive is the Fortress in Patra build at the second half of the 6th cen AD above the ruins of the ancient acropolis. The Fortress through the centuries had an important role in the defence of the city but functioned also as administrative and military centre until the second World War. From the castle the view of the city and harbour is amazing.
There are churches in the city with particular historical and religious importance. One of them is the church of Saint Andrea, patron saint of the city, where is kept part of the cross of the martyrdom of Apostle Andrea and the saint s skull. Finally the church of Pantokratora with the copper domes, built around 900 AD over the ruins of the ancient temple of Jupiter, which at the Ottoman domination functioned as mosque, and in 1828 was used as a hospital for the soldiers of Mezon.
During the carnival, Patra is the meeting place for thousands of visitors as in the city takes place the bigger Carnival of Greece. The Municipality of the city organises a lot of events at this period with highlight the parade of chariots.
Today Patra is an economic, transport and tourist centre with intense life and one of the most important harbours in the country.