Corinth – Where Southern and Northern Greece Meet …

 

DSC_0039Corinth was built at the meeting point of southern and northern Greece.  Located near the narrow strip of land that separates south and north, Corinth controlled the roadway that allowed passengers and cargo to pass through. In its heyday, when Corinth was rebuilt as a Roman city under Julius Caesar’s reign, it is thought that the city may have had as many as 800,000 residents.  Now, its population is closer to 30,000.

 

Construction of the  Corinth canal was complete in 1893. Through the centuries up to this time, DSC_0267earlier versions of a canal existed. Today, the canal continues to be an essential shipping route between the Ionian and Aegean seas.  The canal is 4 miles in length – no wonder it took so many years to finish!

The Temple of Apollo (the God of music, sun, prophecy and healing) is one of Corinth’s major landmarks.  The Temple was  DSC_0085constructed in 550 B.C. at the height of the city’s wealth.  The Temple is located in the centre of  the Roman marketplace.  Austin saw a man jump over the barricade so he could pray inside the temple.

These remains of the market are some of the most DSC_0134intact ruins that we’ve seen. The market includes shops, baths, a theatre and a fountain which, in its day, was the major water supply for the city.

It is said that St. Paul lived in Corinth for two years and wrote books 1 and 2 DSC_0130Corinthians in the New Testament.  Shannon and Austin are standing at the Bema, or the public platform, where it is said that St. Paul stood to preach to the Corinthians.

 

Looking down on the marketplace is a fortress,DSC_0226  Akro Corinth, which took the Romans  400 years to complete.  This sprawling property included many different areas to explore as well as a great view of the town below!

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