On the Isthmus of Corinth –which links Peloponnese to mainland Greece – stands the ancient city of Corinth. A very important town in ancient Greece, today Corinth is the second largest city in the Peloponnese, attracting tourists and pilgrims alike.
Located at 48 miles west of Athens, ancient Corinth stands right off E97, at 4 miles west of the modern city of Corinth. Acrocorinth can be reached using a road through the mountains.
What to Visit
The ruins of the ancient city of Corinth are spread at the base of the rock of Acrocorinth. Most buildings date from the Roman period when Caesar rebuilt the original Greek city. Unfortunately, due to the numerous earthquakes which shook the area over the centuries, most of the buildings have been badly damaged.
The ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite stand right on the Acrocorinth itself. Little remains of the famous temple which at one time housed 1,000 sacred prostitutes. Also on the Acrocorinth there are the remains of a defensive wall and the ruins of a stone minaret.
The most important ruin in the ancient city is the Temple of Apollo (see photo). It’s built on a hill which overlooked the agora. The temple is one of the oldest in Greece. Currently 38 Doric columns still stand.
Only part of the foundation and some pillars remain of the Temple of Octavia. Also known as Temple E, it was dedicated to the sister of Emperor Augustus.
Also on the site, there is a secret spring, a secrete passage –believed to have been used by the priests -, the Peirene Fountain –which can still be seen in the Roman Forum-, the theatre and the Asklepieion.
On site you can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth, which contains a lot of artifacts of religious interest, some mentioned in the Book of Acts.
Opening Hours and tickets
Arcocorinth is opened daily from 8 AM to 7 PM, while the ruins of Corinth are opened during summer from 8 AM to 8 PM and during winter from 8 AM to 3 PM. There is no admission fee for visiting the Arcocorinth. The admission for visiting the ruins of Corinth is €6 (full price). The tickets include the admission to the museum.
Ancient Corinth was destroyed by an earthquake in 1858. The new city was built on the coast of the Gulf of Corinth. The port is very important for the city’s economy. Currently, Corinth is a major industrial hub in Greece. Due to new developments –the ultra-modern electric railway line which links Corinth to the Athens metropolitan area –the city is expected to extend even more.
If visiting the site in peak season, try to come early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the sun and the crowds. Do note that it would take about 2-3 hours to visit the archeological site.