The modern & ancient port of Patras/Achaia, EN

1. The modern port of Patras

2. A few words on port’ s history
• The port has always played an important role in
the economic, social and political life of the city.

3. Ancient port of Patras
• This is where the ancient port of Patras was in the Roman
Period. Near the docks of the port significant monuments
were built mainly temples of gods (Demetra and Poseidon
were two of them).
• The Romans in order to anticipate the need of a commerce
station to Italy, worked hard on harbor works
• Therefore several buildings were constructed mainly by the
Emperors Octavian Augustus and Nero.

4. • Before that and although Patras was not involved
in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), the
athenian Alkibiades had proposed to Patras’
citizens to build long walls that would connect
the citadel of the city to the port.

5. Part of the ancient harbor of Patras

7. Pointed trade
amphora found in
shipwreck. Drawing
by student G. Vosou.

8. Pointed trade amphora
found in shipwreck.
Difference in shape and
clay color denote their
origin.
Drawing by N. Kokloni

9. PSILALONIA
It is believed that the Roman port expanded to this Wall.

10. Part of the Wall

11. Part of the Wall

12. Part of the Wall

13. In every Roman town there were at least two main roads around,
which the others were made in parallel order. The two main streets
of Patras, perpendicular to each other, were cardo maximus
(East –West direction) and decumanus maximus (North-
South direction). In Patras they were propably named magna
ruga and ruga cardorum. Magna ruga led from city to harbor.
Today it is called “St. Nikolaou Street”.

14. The fate of the ancient port
Finally the ancient harbor was accrued by sediment
transported by descending streams and torrents.