What is Patras?
[[Image:Patras from the fortress.jpg|thumb|250px|Patra]] '''Patra''' ({{lang-el|Πάτρα}}) is the third biggest [[Greece|Greek]] city. Patra is in southwest Greece on the west coast of the [[Peloponnese]]. It is the [[Capital city|capital]] of the prefecture of [[Achaea|Achaia]] and also the capital of the Greek perifereia (district) of Western Peloponnese. 171,616 lived there in 2001. The total population of Patra, including all its [[suburb]]s, is over 200,000 people. Patra is a coastal city, so it has a big [[port]]. Patra's port connects Greece with east-facing [[Italy|Italian]] ports such as Bari, Brindisi and Ancona. == History == Patra developed in the third century BC. During the [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] period, Patra became an important city. In Patra [[Christianity]] arrived quite early, approximately in the first century AD, by St Andrew, who was martyred there. During the [[Middle Ages]] Patra was not very significant. Patra developed again after the Greek liberation from the [[Turkey|Turks]], in [[1830]] following the Greek revolution of 1821. == Sights == The most important site in Patra is the contemporary [[Bridge Rion-Antirion]] which links [[Peloponnese]] and [[Sterea Ellada]]. This bridge is located a short distance from Patra's center, in the district of Rio. Opposite Rio is Antirio and it ends at the bridge. Other significant sites in Patra are the [[church]] of Agios Andreas and the Apollon [[theater]]. The cathedral of Agios Andreas is the third biggest churches in Greece. Patra is known for its wines, with the famous and oldest Winery in Greece, Achaia Clauss founded in 1861.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.achaiaclauss.gr/?lang=en#welcome | title=Achaia Clauss : Από Το 1861 Οινοποιεί &#124; Επισκέψιμο Οινοποιείο }}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} {{Capitals of Greek prefectures}} [[Category:Cities in Greece]]