Patras Favorites

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Favorite thing: Dubbed Greece's Gate to the West, Patras is a commercial hub, while its busy port is a nodal point for trade and communication with Italy and the rest of Western Europe. The city has two public universities and one Technological Institute, hosting a large student population and rendering Patras.

Every spring the city hosts one of Europe's largest and most colorful carnivals; notable features of the Patras Carnival include its mammoth-sized satirical floats and extravagant balls and parades.

Patras was the European Capital of Culture in 2006.

Fondest memory: You may watch my high resolution photo of Patras on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 38º 14' 33.04" N 21º 43' 40.32" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Patras St Andrew Tower.

Favorite thing: Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at Patras that's why St Andrew is the patron of Patras.

Andrew had been crucified on a cross of the form called Crux decussata (X-shaped cross) and commonly known as "St. Andrew's cross". This was performed at his own request, as he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross on which Christ was crucified.

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Favorite thing: In the Roman period Patras was a cosmopolitan centre of the eastern Mediterranean. According to Christian tradition, it was also the place of Saint Andrew's martyrdom. Patras became a Christian centre since the early days of Christianity.

In 1204 Patras was conquered by the Fourth Crusade, and became the seat of the Latin Duchy of Achaia within the Principality of Achaea. In 1408 Patras became Venetian, and by the close of the 15th century the city was governed by the archbishop in the name of the pope. It was nevertheless seized once more by the despot Constantine in 1430, who was immediately contested by the Ottoman Empire.

In 1458 Patras was conquered by the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmet II. Under the Ottomans, it was known as Baliabadra.

It was here that the Greek Revolution began in 1828.

Favorite thing: Patras is a nice place for sitting out and enjoying a cup of nice cold 'frappe' coffee (or a beer, or anything else you prefer). There are various places where you can do that, such as the Psila Alonia Square, the steps of Gerokostopoulou, the King George Square, the pedestrian street of Agiou Nikolaou, the 'theatre' next to the marina, the Ab Fab (ex 9 Muses), the Rion coast, the Vrachneika coast, the park on the hill, etc. - endless possibilities. These places are usually busy and lively.

Fondest memory: Although I'm not an expert, I think the sunlight has a special quality in Patras. Perhaps it's the reflection on the sea that makes bright days look even brighter. Patras has a long coastline and, even though it's not everywhere pretty, it still gives a nice feeling to be close to the water.

Favorite thing: Patras is the capital of the region or prefecture of Achaia. It owes its name to Patreas, chief of the Achaians
The city is among the most important in Greece, and the largest in the Peloponnese.

It's also a major transportation centre, linking the country with Italy and the Peloponnese with the Ionian islands.
(The picture is a view of Psila Alonia Square: from my appartment's balcony).

Favorite thing: The city extends from the shore up to the castle. It is divided into twp parts, the upper and the lower, whose layout, parks and plazzas give it a definite distinction.

-----The old city, at the foot of the castle, still has quite a number of attractive neoclassical houses, while the lower city has many mansions, such as those housing the Municipal Theatre, the Odeon, etc.
The Cathedral of St. Andrew, the city's patron, rises majestically above the lower city. To the left of it stands an older church built on the site of a Byzantine church that was destroyed by the Turks.
From the Trion Navarchon street leads to Psila Alonia - one of the most beautiful squares in Patras - a lovely spacious square with slender palm trees and a sun dial.
Patras possesses a fine archaeological museum, an art gallery and a printing museum.
Dominating the city from on high looms the ruined shell of castle, whose grounds have been transformed into a park. from here you have a view of the whole city and the sea beyond.

Fondest memory: 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!

Favorite thing: PIRGOS
Pirgos is the capital of the prefecture of Eleia, just 10 km west of Olympia, and the place where you might have to change buses if you come from Patrai. Its chief landmarks are the two exquisite neoclassical buildings designed by Schiller, the Municipal Market and the Apollo Municipal Theatre.