Corinth Canal

The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island. The canal was dug through the Isthmus at sea level and has no locks. It is 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) in length and only 21.4 meters (70 ft) wide at its base, making it impassable for most modern ships. Nowadays it has little economic importance and is mainly a tourist attraction. The canal was initially proposed in classical times and a failed effort was made to build it in the 1st century AD. Construction started in 1881 but was hampered by geological and financial problems that bankrupted the original builders. It was completed in 1893 but, due to the canal's narrowness, navigational problems and periodic closures to repair landslides from its steep walls, it failed to attract the level of traffic expected by its operators.

Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos)

According to myth, the first kings of Corinth were descendants of Sisyphus, the man who was punished by the Gods for his hubris by being forced to roll an immense boulder up a hill only for it to roll down again when they came near the top, repeating this action for eternity. Thanks to traffic and trade over the Isthmus, the narrow strip of land that connects the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece and Attica, this ancient city, whose foundation dates back to the 10th century BC, could easily compete in terms of wealth and fame with Athens and Thebes. Until the middle of the 6th century BC Corinth's main export product were the black-figured vases, many of which made their way to several colonies in Magna Greece. The great temple on its Acropolis (the Acrocorinth) was dedicated to Aphrodite. Corinth was one of the most important cult centers for the Goddess of Love throughout its history. According to some sources, there were more than a thousand temple maidens serving,