general Info
by mindcrime
There is an Info Center opposite the port, next to the main bus station. They can provide you with a free colorful map that will help you walking all over the city center with some useful info at the backside about the main sites. The staff is friendly and can point you the sites but it seems they give the same answer to everything:
oh that church is behind us! Oh the castle is behind us!
Of course!! everything is behind them as the Info Center is near the sea so the city is behind them :)
The building of the info Center (pic 1) has a history itself. In our days it is an art center and houses the Info Center but it used to be the Barry storehouse. It was a currant storehouse and the building is a typical example of industrial architecture connected with the era of the economical boom of the city. It used to be a thread factory, then flour factory and at the end raisin factory.
The Corinthian raisin was the main export product of Greece in 19th century, mainly for England(1848-70) and then France (1876-93). Patra had the port so the majority of the locals were working at raising factories so after the raisin crisin (1893) the social fabric collapsed.
If you need information about the boats to Italy just check any of the travel agencies along the sea side. There are boats for 3 differents Italian ports (Bari, Ancona, Brindisi).
Parking. If you have a car, good luck! :) There is huge traffic and it’s very difficult to find a free spot in the center. There are several parkings though where you can pay (prices from 5 euros+)
Post Office. The one in Maizonos street (pic 2) is big enough and cover your needs if you aren’t familiar with internet yet :) But as a VTer just go to any of the internet cafes around.
Useful telephones:
Tourist Police: 2610451833
Police Emergency:100
Medical Emergency: 166
Fire Brigade: 199
European Number of Emergency: 112
Bus/Boat/Train routes: 1440
Patras Tip
by Fotis_Gl
My Friend Gregory! His Florist At Ellinos Stratiotou has big History!
Just Go And Say Hello from his Friend Fotis and smell his flower! When you are out just go across the road to check your email at UXPLORE! Really good service and perfect enviroment and rates!
TENTOURA, the liqueur of Patras
by INSULARIUS
Once in Patras or Patra, as we call it in Greek, do not forget to try the local liqueur of Patras called: "Tentoura".It is a sweet liqueur made of aromatic herbs.It is easy to ask for it and bring it home, as a nice souvenir from Patras.Its name, does not give you any pronunciation problem!
You can find Tentoura in every liquor shop around the port.
Rio fortress
by Aitana
There is a medieval fortress in Rio, on the cape near the bridge connecting with mainland Greece.
The fortification was built by Beyazit II in 1499. In 1532 it was taken by Andrea Doria, admiral of the Spanish Navy, and then taken again by the Turks, the Knights of Malta and Venetians, again by the Turks, until 1828. It has suffered repairs and reforms along time and has been used as a prison and during the WWII the Germans established themselves there.
I was the only person visiting the fortress at that time, a Sunday afternoon of late September. A strange feeling of solitude invaded me and as soon as I explored the fortress I left.
Plucked String Orchestra Municipality of Patras
by tak_pap
6th EGMYO-Meeting 2006 in Patras / Greece
8-17 April, 2006
The 6th meeting of the European Guitar and Mandolin Youth Orchestra (EGMYO) is taking place in Patras / Greece from 8 to 17th april 2006 (arrival at Saturday 8 april and departure at Monday 17 april). The Patras Orchestra will organize the transport between Athens and Patras.
Once again we invite young people from all European countries, aged between 16 to 27 years, who are interested in rehearsing a high quality music program during this period and to give public performances of this music at the end of the meeting period. In the programm there are some cultural events organized by our Greek friends of Plucked String Orchestra Municipality of Patras.
Following performances have been suggested for the program of which 4-5 pieces will be chosen. The selection depends on the availability of the music sheets:
* Erik 't Hart -Wild at heart
* Claudio Mandonico -new composition
* Michael Travlos -Fading Memories -Concertante for Solo Guitar, Plucked String Orchestra
and Percussion
* Robert Hangstrom -Suite for Plucked String Orchestra
* Christopher Grafschmidt -new composition
The artistic lecturers are:
* Marco Ludemann, conductor (Netherlands)
* Mari Fe Pavon, Mandolin (Spain)
* Juan Carlos Munoz, Mandolin (Luxembourg)
* Annemie Hermans, Mandola (Netherlands)
* Mirko Schrader, Guitar (Germany)
Permitted instruments are:
* Mandolin
* Bandurria
* Mandola
* Laud Espagnol
* Guitar
* Double bass
Conditions of Participation:
* Advanced performance level and experience as orchestral player
* Participant's contribution amounting 220,00 euros
* Travel expenses to Patras on own account
* Interested in meeting the youth of other countries
Moreover, we await all participants coming to this EGMYO-meeting being well prepared on the music sheets which we have sent before.
Sign in with Facebook
inside Skoufaki
fireworks at the end of the carnival
FILM live at Lithografeio
Ancient Amphitheatre/Stadium
