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Patras (Modern Greek Πάτρα, Ancient Greek Πάτραι Pátrai, Latin Patrae) is the third largest city of Greece. Patras is a conurbation of a quarter to million inhabitants and a centre of the political, economic, administrative and cultural life of Western Greece. During the four millenia of its history, most notably in the Roman times, Patras has many times assumed the role of a cosmopolitan centre of the Mediterranean world.
The city is the capital of the Achaea prefecture of Greece and of the periphery of West Greece as well as the first urban centre of the peninsula of Peloponnese. Patras is of great significance to Christianity as the place where according to Christian Tradition the Fist-called Apostle Saint Andrew met his martyrdom. The city is the seat of a Greek orthodox archbishopric, while there is a living community of Roman catholics and a historical Anglican church.
Patras is considered Greece's Gate to the West, a title which is justified by its role as international commercial center and busy port, with excellent car-ferry links with the Ionian islands and the major Adriatic ports of Italy, and as a functioning nodal point for the entry of goods, people, ideas and cultural influences from the European West. Having two Universities and a Technological Institution and their connected research institutes, the city is an important scientific centre, with a field of excellence in technical education. Furthermore the city is renowned for its european mediterranean-style carnival, whose main features are the mammoth satyrical floats and the extravagant balls and parades. The indigenous cultural scene revolves around the performing and plastic arts and modern urban literature. The city of Patras is the current European Capital of Culture.
Patras is located 200 kilometres west of Athens, on the northeastern coast of the Peloponnesos at the foot of Mount Panachaikon, overlooking the Gulf of Patras), which is, in fact, an inlet of the Ionian sea. The area has a pleasant Mediterranean climate, with relatively cool yet humid summers and very mild winters.
Name
The most common explanation given for the name Patras is the mythological one, from Patreus the name of the town's legendary settler. In the Greek language, however, the word Patra, is etymologically related to the word Patrís, which means homeland. It is argued then, that the founding myth was created after the name and not vice versa.
Geography
Patras is located 215 kilometers west of Athens by road, 94 kilometers northeast of Pyrgos, 7 kilometers south of Rio, 134 kilometers west of Corinth, 77 kilometers northwest of Kalavryta, and 144 kilometers northwest of Tripoli.
Geography has played a prominent role in shaping the outlook of the modern city. The lowland, which is adjacent to the sea and streches between the estuaries of the rivers Glafkos and Haradros was originally made of soil transferred by the rivers and of dried up swamps. In modern times the lowland is the area of the modern lower town and the port facilities. Adjacent to the lower town on the plateau at the foot of Mount Panachaikon, is the old town, built around the Acropolis since the historic times. Consequently, the division of the modern city in lower and upper town is a result of its location on the natural flow of drainage from the foot of Mount Panachaikon.
The largest river in the area is Glafkos flowing South of Patras. Glafkos rises from the Mount Panachaikon and its water is since 1925, collected in a small mountainous reservoir-dam near the village of Souli and then pumped to provide energy for the country's first hydroelectric plant. The water is also used to water the orchards of Eglykas and as a supply for drinking water for the city. Other rivers are Haradros, Meilichos and the mountain torrent Diakoniaris.
Of great importance for the biological diversity in the area and the preservation of its climate, is the swamp of Agyia, a small and coastal aquatic ecosystem of only 30 hectares, located north of the city centre. Main features of the wetland is the apparent rarity of its survival in the heart of a densely populated urban centre in a relatively arid climate, and its admitedly high level of biodiversity, with over 90 species of birds being observed until the early 1990s, according to a study by the Patras Bureau of the Hellenic Ornithological Society *.
An important geophysical characteristic of the region is its great seismicity, which has been recorded since the historic times and has caused frequent destruction until recently, namely in 1995 with a quake of 5 degrees in the Richter scale close to the urban area of Patras and a quake that occured close to Aigion in 1995. The bordering Ionian islands, have also frequently been hit by more severe earthquakes. During antiquity the most notable example of destruction caused by earthquake in the region was the submergence of the ancient Achaean city of Eliki.
History
Antiquity
The first traces of settlement in Patras date to the 3rd millennium BC, in modern Aroe. During the Middle Helladic period (the first half of the 2nd millennium BC) another settlement was founded in the region. Patras flourished for the first time during the Post-Helladic or Mycenean period (1580–1100 BC). Ancient Patras was formed by the unification of three Mycenaean villages located in modern Aroe, Antheia and Mesatis. Mythology tells us that after the Dorian invasion, a group of Achaeans from Laconia, led by the eponymous Patreus, established a colony. During antiquity, Patras remained a farming region but it was in Roman times when it became an important port.After 280 BC, and prior to the Roman occupation of Greece, Patras played a significant role in the foundation of the second "Achaean League" (Achaiki Sympoliteia) together with the cities Dyme, Triteia and Pharai. As a consequence, the initiative of political movements was transferred for the first time to western Achaea. Later on and after the Roman occupation of Greece, in 146 BC, Patras played the main role and Augustus founded a Roman colony there. A cadastral map was drawn up, privileges were granted, crafts were created, the most important being that of earthen oil lamps which were exported almost to the whole world of that time, two industrial zones were created, temples were built, roads that rendered Patras a communication center were opened, streets were paved with flagstones, foreign religions were introduced. Patras was by then a cosmopolitan city. But at the end of the 3rd century AD it fell into decline, probably because of a strong earthquake that struck the whole of northeastern Peloponnese in 300 AD.
Saint Andrew
According to the Christian tradition, Saint Andrew came to Patras to preach Christianity during the reign of Emperor Nero and was crucified as a martyr. He is said to have suffered crucifixion on a cross of the form called Crux decussata (X-shaped cross) and commonly known as "St Andrew's cross". He is ever since considered to be the patron saint of the city. According to tradition his relics were removed from Patras to Constantinople, and thence to the West. Local legends say that the relics were sold to the Romans by the local priests in exchange of the Romans constructing a water reservoir for the city (Thomopoulos).
In recent years, the relics were kept in the Vatican City, but were sent back to Patras by decision of the Pope Paul VI in 1964. The relics, which consist of the small finger and part of the top of the cranium of St Andrew, are since kept in the New Church of St Andrew in a special tomb, and are reverenced in a special ceremony every November 30. Two temples were built in his honor, an old byzantine-style basilica and a new monumental church completed in the 1970s.
Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman times
During Byzantine times Patras continued to be an important port and an industrial center. One of the most scholarly philosophers and theologians of the time, Arethas of Caesarea was born in Patras, circa 860. In the 9th century there is a sign that the city was prosperous: the widow Danielis from Patras had accumulated immense wealth in land ownership, carpet and textile industry and offered critical support in the ascent of Basil I the Macedonian to the Byzantine throne.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, it became Venetian. It was seized again 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 called Baliabadra (from Greek Παλαιά Πάτρα, the town, as opposed to Νέα Πάτρα, the fortress). Though Mehmet granted the city special privileges and tax reductions, it never became a major commercial center. Venice and Genoa attacked and captured Patras several times during the 15th and 16th centuries, but never re-established their rule effectively.Encyclopaedia of Islam s.v. Baliabadra
Generally, the first period of Turkish rule (1460-1687) was miserable, but from 1715 and on there was a revival of commerce, and so in the 18th century it became a prosperous town again economically based on agriculture and trade.
On 7 October 1571, the Ottoman fleet on the one side, and the fleet of the Christian Holy League on the other, clashed in the Gulf of Patras, in the Battle of Lepanto. The Ottomans were defeated, but the Holy League did not seize the city of Patras. The news of the Ottoman destruction were celebrated in Patras, but a revolt organized by five of the elders of the town and metropolitan Germanos I of Old Patras (1561-1572) was stifled and its instigators were executed.Chasiotis,Ioannis "Revolutionary efforts in the Greek area after the naval battle", Istoria tou Ellinikou Ethnous, Ekdotiki Athinon, vol. 10, pp. 320-321, Athens 1974
Patras played an active part in the Independence struggle against the Ottomans (1821). It is argued that the Greek Revolution was declared the 25th March 1821, when the then archbishop of Old Patras, and member of the revolutionary organization Filiki Eteria, Germanos swore in the first freedom warriors in the chapel of Agios Georgios close to the modern day square.
Modern times
Patras was liberated on 7 October 1828 by the French expeditionary force in the Peloponnese, under the command of General Maison. In 1829 the then Governor of Greece, John Capodistria approved a very ambitious new urban plan for the city--which was still in ruins--presented to him by the French army engineer Stamatis Vulgaris. The plan was not enforced until the mid-19th century and then only with great adaptations conforming to the interests of powerful land owners. Patras developed as the second largest urban centre in late 19th century Greece. The city benefited from its role as the main export port for the agricultural produce of the PeloponneseKounenaki Pegy, "19th Century Patras: how the character of the city changed with the development of the port after 1828" Kathimerini 14-10-01 http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_civ_491371_14/10/2001_3252. It was the main centre for the organisation of production of raisin, offering warehouse, banking and insurance services. However, this early era of prosperity was short lived; in 1894 raisin export prices in the international markets began to plummet, due to overproduction and international circumstances, which triggered a prolonged crisis with deep financial, political and social repercussions, known as the Great raisin crisisNasi Balta, "The civilization of raisin. Raisin cultivation in 19th century Peloponnese, the economic crisis, and the revolt of the farmworkers. The political, cultural and social framework" To Vima 06/02/2000 Page S03 http://tovima.dolnet.gr/print_article.php?e=B&f=12838&m=S03&aa=1 . Trade with western Europe, mainly Britain, France and Italy, did much to shape the city's early identity as a significant port and cosmopolitan urban centre in early 20th century Greece.In the early 20th century, Patras developed fast and became the first Greek city to introduce public streetlights and electrified tramways. The war effort of the first World War hampered the city's development and also created uncontrollable urban sprawl with the influx of refugees from Minor Asia. During the Second World War Patras was the major target of Italian air raids. At the time of the Axis occupation, a German military command was established and German and Italian troops were stationed in the city. On 13th December 1943, in the nearby town of Kalavryta, the German troops executed all the male population and set the town ablaze. After the liberation city grew fast to recover, but in later years was increasingly overshadowed by the urban pole of Athens.
Notes
- Τριανταφύλλου, Κ.Ν., Ιστορικόν Λεξικόν των Πατρών
- Θωμόπουλου, ΣΤ.Ν, Ιστορία της πόλεως Πατρών από αρχαιοτάτων χρόνων μέχρι 1821, Πάτραι 1952 (επιμ. Κ.Ν. Τριανταφύλλου).
Urban Plan and sights
The city nowadays is divided into upper and lower parts connected by broad flights of steps, as well as streets. The upper part is the older and more picturesque but the lower part is attractively laid out with plenty of squares in a geometrical pattern. The most notable squares are Psila Alonia and Georgiou I square. There are many exquisite neoclassical buildings like the theatre "Apollon" in Georgiou I Square, the Town Hall, the headquarters of the Local Trade Association and the Justice Court''.
The most significant, open to visit, ancient monument in Patras is the Roman Odeon, now reconstructed and used as an open-air theatre for performances and concerts during the summer period. Overlooking the whole town is the ruined Castle, whose current outline dates back to the Venetian invasion of the town (1687-1715). In current times, its interior is laid out as a public garden. Close to the seafront, between the site of the new and the old port, there is the monumental church of St Andrew and in a projection of land stands a replica of the city's emblematic old lighthouse, built as a part of a coastline beautification project. Generally, much of Patras' coastline has streets running alongside. Roads include Akte Dymaion in the south, and Iroon Polytechneiou in the north. Unfortunately, due to bad urban design planning and institutional weakness on the part of the City Council, which in turn is due to the lack of financial planning, most of the city's coastal areas are not in an ideal situation and spots are being illegally occupied by shops which are illegally built on the coastline. This is contrary to the Constitution of Greece of 2001 declares that the Greek coastline is a "National Treasure" and as such it belongs to the People.
The city is endowed with many neoclassical buildings and mansions from late 19th-early 20th century, which now enhance the city centre. Years of neglect and the absence of protection enforcement, as well as recent earthquakes, had contributed to the destruction of many, but today most surviving neoclassical buildings are under protection status. A project for the restoration of the city's architectural heritage is part of the 2006 Cultural Capital bid.
Several (Λαϊκή)laikê (produce bazaars) take place in the city's neighborhoods on weekdays and on Saturday.
Infrastructure and facilities
In Patras are found shopping centers, picturesque cafes, pubs, discos, restaurants as well as educational and cultural facilities such as schools, colleges, a university, a library, two theatres and some galleries and cinemas. Two state-funded hospitals exist in the city: Saint Andreas, the oldest of the two is named after the city's patron saint and it resides on the south side of the city. The University Hospital of Rio is a university hospital, where med-students intern and specialise in their major. It resides on the north-eastern part of the city, inside the city's University campus.
- Rail connection
- A rudimentary single, narrow gauge track of around 12 km crosses the city. The central passenger train station lies west of downtown between the port's Aghiou Nikolaou mole and Othonos-Amalias Avenue.The main freight station of Aghios Andreas lies further south, next to the homonymous church. Finally the old depot of Aghios Dionysios, of about ten tracks, which lies a little north, now offers elementary turntable and roundhouse facilities. Its length is around 400 m. It is situated near the park and Athinon Street.
- Is located north of Patras, and links the Peloponnese to mainland Greece. It was completed in August 2004.
- The new highway
- A beltway, the length of which is 20 km, was first opened in 2002 to alleviate traffic passing through the city. Two highway lanes are being constructed, to link the beltway to the city's new port.
Under construction
- Mini beltway
- Is being constructed to relieve the city center from heavy congestion.
- New port
- A new port is under construction in the southern part of the city.
- Metropolitan Optical network
- An optical network will be deployed with a total length of 39.2km
- High Speed Interconnections with the large beltway.
- Two big highways are under construction that will connect the seacoast and the new port with the large beltway that surrounds the city of Patras. The first is over the small river Diakoniaris, while the second consists of two roads, 4km each, in parallel with river Glaykos.
- Expansion of the Kanakari street.
- A project that will lead to an additional entrance and passage for the city center.
- New Highways
- Expansion of the highway connection with Athens and Pyrgos. Construction of the Ionia Odos highway until Ioannina
Economy
The city economy has a larger service sector. Main activities are retailing, logistics, financial services, and the public sector services. Patras suffered from a great problem of deindustrialization during the late 1980s and 1990s. Many big productive units were shut down one after the other and the workforce as well as the city's economy had to restructure. To this aim contributed the university, and a small but dynamic service and technology sector that evolves around it. The city-region retains some of its traditional winemaking and foodstuff industries and a small agricultural sector. Patras' industrial area is 20 km south of downtown, and is located between the 16th km of GR-9 and Fares/Phares (pro. FAH-rehs). Major businesses in Patras are:
Service Sector
- Transportation
- Tertiary Education
- Regional Hospital
- Administration
- Logistics
- Banking
- Construction & Real estate
- ICTs
- Catering
- Retailing
- Tourism
- Media
- Advertisement
Research
There has been a significant development in the R & D sector during the last years, as a result of the many research institutes and the University impact in the area.- Computer Technology Institute
- Systems Institute
- Patras Science Park
- '''Institute of Chemical Engineering & High Temperature Chemical Processes
- Institute of Biomedical Technology
Manufacturing
- Foodstuff industries
- Wineries and distilleries
- Dairy Products
- Textiles
- Metal processing
- Machinery
- Timber
- Energy
Culture
One of the biggest tourist attractions of Patras, is the Carnival of Patras*, held every year from February to March. It is said to be one of the most famous in the world coming just after Rio de Janeiro and Venice. The International Festival of Patras takes place every summer, with a program consisting mostly of plays--both ancient drama and modern theatre--as well as various music concerts. Patras has also a very strong indie rock scene with critically acclaimed bands such as Raining Pleasure, Abbie Gale, Serpentine, Doh an Doris and many more.
European Capital of Culture 2006
Patras was chosen by the European Commission to be the European Capital of Culture for the year 2006. The planning involves the construction of a major archaeological museum, to be finished in 2006, which with its globe-like roof and modern architectural design, will enhance the town's northern entrance and take its place among the other town landmarks. Moreover the concept of Patras 2006 revolves around the main theme of "Bridges" and "Links", taking benefit from the City's rich history and its position as a "Gate to the West", to underline the essence of the productive interaction of culture and civilisation in Europe. The EU Commission found Patras' plans really ambitious and also commented that a successful hosting of the title by a medium sized city would make it possible to redefine the meaning of the term Cultural Capital. So far, various cultural events have taken place and the construction of the new museum is moving on rapidly. Old factories and neoclassical buildings are renovated as part of a plan to link such spaces to preserve the city's architectural heritage and link it to its cultural life.The Selection Panel for 2006 noted in its final report:
The current cultural activity of the city includes the Patras International Festival (various artistic activities, mainly in the field of music), the Patras Carnival and the [http://www.poetrysymposium.gr Poetry Symposium (organized each year for the 25 years by an ad hoc committee at the University of Patras). The city hosts several conservatoires and schools of music, including one devoted exclusively to Byzantine music, and several orchestras and choirs. There is one full-time theatre group in the city, the Patras Municipal Regional Theatre, as well as several amateur groups. A number of schools teach dancing, and there are plans to set up a dance theatre within the context of the Patras Municipal Regional Theatre. Patras has a visual arts workshop, a school of icon painting and a carnival float workshop, and hosts a Municipal Gallery as well as private art galleries. The city has a Municipal Library, an archaeological museum, a folk art museum, an historical and ethnological museum and a museum of the press. The architectural heritage of the city is dominated by neo-classicism, but includes also constructions from other periods.Excerpt from the Report of the Selection Panel for the European Capital of Culture 2006**
- The Patras 2006 proposal focuses on two central ideas: “bridges” and “dialogues”. Cultural managers from Patras and the general public will be involved in developing these ideas. Further, four poles/programmes of cultural attraction will be developed. The first, “A city for Europe”, will relate to the architectural heritage, the industrial revolution and similar subjects. “The counterpart cities” programme will be developed in the fields of human and social sciences and in diverse artistic fields. “The three sea battles” will present a cultural programme focusing on peace and understanding. The last theme, “The many homelands”, is directly linked to the etymology of the name of the city. This programme will amongst other things concentrate on art workshops, the transfer of know-how, way of life and entertainment.
Sport
Patras has many sports facilities and important teams in all the major greek leagues. Panachaiki Gymnastiki Enosi is the major sports club based in Patras.
Press
There are around 10 local radio stations and 4 television stations, 1 covering the entire south-western region of Greece and 3 stations that broadcast only in the prefecture of Achaia. The main newspapers are the Peloponnisos and Imera.
Quarters and subdivisions:
- Agyia
- Mpozaitika, east part
- Demenika, northern part
- Lefka, a small subdivision south of the Glaukos river and north of Paralia and Messatidos (Ovryá)
- Skiessa, a small subdivision 5 km NE of downtown.
- Romanos, about 5 km E of downtown
- Vrysaiika, about 6 km SE of downtown
- Psarofai, 3-4 km southwest of downtown
- Zarouhleika, 5 km southwest of downtown
Nearby communes
- Rio (north)
- Moira (northeast)
- Ekilistra (east)
- Petroto (east)
- Saravali (southeast, south)
- Paralia (south)
Communes:
- Moira
- Souli
- Elekistra
Historical population:
The municipality includes the following communities:
Moira(73), Souli(900) and Ekilistra(1,401) along with areas in the Panachaicus range.
The urban area of Patras includes the towns of:
- Rion (12,674)
- Paralia (9,153)
- Vrachneika (4,805)
- Messatida (12,246)
That is 18,5% of the urban population.
Twin cities
- Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Chişinău, Moldova
- Bari, Italy
- Ancona, Italy
- Gjirokastër, Albania
- Canterbury, Australia
- Reggio di Calabria, Italy
- Limassol, Cyprus
- Craiova, Romania
- Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Ammochostos, Cyprus
- Saint-Étienne, France
People
Statesmen
The city boasts that a relatively large number of politicians in the national political arena were its natives. Especially in the first century after its liberation, when the city was second only to Athens in the urban hierarchy of the country, significant personalities that shaped the character of Greece were associated with Patras. Famous natives include the prime ministers: Dimitrios Gounaris the main leader of the anti-venizelist party in the 1910s, Stylianos Gonatas a high-ranking officer, politician and one of the leaders of the “1922 Revolution”, Andreas Michalakopoulos a prominent liberal party cadre, foreign minister and prime minister, Dimitrios Maximos a distinguished economist, minister and finally prime minister during the civil war era. More recent figures include George Papandreou (senior) leader of the Center Union and one of the most important political personalities in post World War II Greece, Panagiotis Kanellopoulos the last democratically elected head of government before the establishment of the 1967 junta and Konstantinos Stephanopoulos the former president of the Hellenic Republic.Photo gallery
External links
- The official website of the city
- Patras 2006 European Capital of Culture
- University of Patras
- Technological Educational Institute of Patras
- Patras Port
- The official website of the Carnival of Patras
- Patras Tourist Info
- Media in Patras
- traveljournals.net - Patras
- DEPAP
- GTP - Patras
- GTP - Municipality of Patra/Patras
- GTP - Ancient Patras
- Indexmundi - Patras
- Patras Municipal and Regional Theater
- Patras Port Live Camera
- Patra info and photos
- local news portal
- News portal
| North: Strait of Rio-Antirio, Rhion | ||
| West: Gulf of Patras |
Patras | East: Erineos, east of the Panachaicus, Leontio (independent commune) |
| South: Paralia, Messatida/Messatis |
References
See also
Achaea | Ancient Greek cities | Archaeological sites in Greece | Carnival cities and towns | Cities and towns in Greece | Coastal cities | Greek prefectural capitals | Patras | Port cities | Roman colonies | Roman sites in Greece
Патра | Patras | Πάτρα | Patrás | Patras | Patrasso | פטרס | Patrae | Patras | パトラ | Patras | Pátras | Patras | Patras | 帕特雷
"Patras"