Patras

Lore & Background

Patras has a history spanning four millennia. In the Roman period, it became a cosmopolitan centre of the eastern Mediterranean, and according to Christian tradition, it was the place of Saint Andrew's martyrdom. In 1205, the city was captured by William of Champlitte and Geoffrey I of Villehardouin, becoming part of the principality of Achaea. It later passed to Venetian rule in 1408, was recaptured by the Despotate of Morea in 1430, and fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1458 under Mehmet II. During the 1770 Orlov revolt, recapturing Patras left scarcely anyone alive. A naval battle took place off the city in 1772 between the Russians and Ottomans.

Reader's Guide

Patras was one of the first cities to begin the Greek Revolution in 1821, with its Ottoman garrison holding out until 1828. After the war, the city was largely destroyed but quickly developed into the second-largest urban centre in late-19th-century Greece, benefiting as the main export port for Peloponnese agricultural produce. In the early 20th century, it became the first Greek city to introduce public streetlights and electrified tramways. During the Second World War, it was a major target of Italian air raids, and German and Italian troops were stationed there during the Axis occupation. Since 2014, the mayor has been Kostas Peletidis. The city hosts one of Europe's largest carnivals every February, featuring satirical floats, balls, and parades. Patras is also home to three public universities, making it an important scientific centre, and the Rio-Antirrio Bridge connects its easternmost suburb of Rio to mainland Greece.

Did You Know?

• Patras was the first Greek city to introduce public streetlights and electrified tramways.
• The city hosts one of Europe's largest carnivals every February.
• The Rio-Antirrio Bridge connects Patras's easternmost suburb of Rio to the town of Antirrio.
• Patras was European Capital of Culture in 2006.