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Patra (Greek: Modern: Πάτρα, Ancient: Πάτραι,
Pátrai) is the third largest city of Greece, and also the capital of the
Achaea region of Greece. Patra, or Patras, is located in the southwest part of Greece
in Peloponnesos. Patra has a population of over 200,000 and is an important
commercial center and a busy port (with regular car-ferry services to and from Italy). Patra is a very old town with a history of
more than 3,000 years. The ancient city of Patras was originally formed by the unification of three Mycenaean villages: Aroe,
Antheia and Mesatis. After the Dorian invasion a group of Achaeans from Laconia, led by Patreas, established a colony and the city took its
name from their leader. During the ancient years, Patras remained a farming region but during the Roman invasion it became an
important port.
At some time during the reign of Emperor Nero, Saint Andrew came to Patras to preach Christianity. Here
he met a martyr?s death by crucifixion. From then on he was considered the protector of Patras and nowadays there is a
magnificent big church, built in his honor, on the exact place of his crucifixion.
During the Byzantine period Patras continued to be an important port as well
as an industrial center. Patras was invaded by the Turks in 1460. The first period of Turkish rule (1460 -1687) was a miserable one but from 1715 and on there was a revival of trade and
so in the 18th century it became a prosperous town again economically based on agriculture and trade. Later Patras played an
active part in the Independence struggle against Turks (1821).
The town nowadays is divided into the Upper and Lower part with broad flights of steps, as well as streets, giving access
between the two levels. The upper part is the older and more picturesque but the lower part is attractively laid out with plenty
of squares notably the square of Psila Alonia and Georgiou I square. There are a lot of neoclassical buildings left like the
theatre ?Apollon? in Georgiou I square, the Town Hall, the headquarters of the Local Trade Association, the Justice Court
and a lot of other buildings.
The most interesting 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 a ruined Castle, a relic of the Venetian
invasion of the town (1687-1715). In current times,
its interior is laid out as a public garden.
Patras is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. It offers its resident a lot of facilities such as 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. There are two hospitals.
One of the biggest tourist attractions of Patras, is the carnival festival, held every year in February-March. It is one of
the most famous in the world coming just after Rio de Janeiro and Venice.
A new beltway with a furthest radius of nearly 10 km was
first opened in 2002 to decrease traffic in the city. Its length is around 20 km.
There are around 10 local radio stations and 4 television stations, 1 regional and 3 local. The main newspapers are the
Peloponnesou and
Patris.
Patras' industrial area is 20 km south of downtown, and is located betwen the 16th km of GR-9 and Fares/Phares (pro. FAH-rehs).
The length of rail is around 12 km. A train station is lying west of downtown between the port and Othonos-Amalias Avenue. A
little north is a freight yard with about ten tracks. Its length is around 400 m. It is situated near the park and Athinon
Street.
Patras' nearest amusement park is small and is founded next to Glaukos river, and
a campground. Much of Patras' coastline has streets running near it. It includes Akte Dymaion in the south , and Iroon
Polytechneiou in the north. Half of the shores are not used as beaches.
A laikê every much of the weekend is
situated SE of downtown, near Psila Alonia square (plateía).
The municipality includes the communities other than this city are:
- Agyia
- Demenika, northern part
- Lefka, a small community south of Glaukos
river and north of Paralia and Messatidos (Ovryá)
- Skiessa, a community 5 km NE of
downtown.
- Vrysaiika
- Psarofai, 3-4 km SouthWest of
downtown
- Zarouhleika, 5 km SouthWest of
downtown
External link
See also: List of cities in Greece
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