Loutraki
was born together with Hygeia (Health) and raised in the hands
of Zeus Xenius (Hospitable). A metropolitan centre of tourist
Greece with a perfect infrastructure and an impeccable organization
of services, it has a hydroclimatological station of international
repute and was the centre of Southern Greece in ancient times.
 Loutraki
is a well known spa, a therapeutic station and a tourist summer
resort in the inner fold of the Bay of Corinth, famous for its
therapeutic waters and climatic conditions rarely found elsewhere.
It is an ideal place to visit with infinite potential for both
winter and summer tourism.
Loutraki
has good road and rail connections with Athens, some 80Km away.
Athens airport lies 85Km from Loutraki. It is the ideal solution
for those of you who want to combine natural beauty and entertainment
be it on your holidays or for a weekend.
Loutraki
is connected to Athens via Athens-Corinth national road, to Patra
and the Western Peloponnese via the Corinth-Patra national road
and to Tripolis and the Southern Peloponnese via the Corinth-Tripolis
national road.
Transportation
needs of the municipality are satisfied by the Hellenic Bus Organization
for road transportation, by the Hellenic Railway Organization
for railway transportation, while its port is appropriate for
yachts. At the same time, municipal buses are available for if
you need to move around the city offering free services and frequent
itineraries.
The
Loutraki-Perahora Municipality was established in 1934, with its
administrative centre in Loutraki. With a permanent population
of 14,084 people, during summer the population grows to more than
100,000. Most people in Loutraki are involved in tourism, while
agriculture, industry and handicraft are being developed.
The
Loutraki Municipality is one of the most developed tourist areas
in Greece. Loutraki has been a famous city since antiquity, mainly
due to its therapeutic water springs. It takes its name from the
ancient city of Thermes that was given by the goddess Diana Thermia,
protectress of therapeutic water.
HISTORY:
An
enchanted journey through 2,500 years of history. Loutraki and
the surrounding area is living proof that classical Greek values
and antiquities still have much to teach us. All it takes is the
desire to explore, and eyes and mind wide open to visit these
antiquities, to admire them, to learn from them.
Apollo,
god of the sun and well-being and Hera, mother of all the Gods,
were worshipped here in temples whose ruins can still be seen
today. The first written reference to the waters at Loutraki is
in the «Hellenica» by the Athenian historian Xenophon
(431-351 B.C.). He referred to Thermes (the ancient name of Loutraki)
mentioning that Agisilaos, King of Sparta, had camped there during
the Corinthian war (395-387 B.C.). His description combined with
historical facts and archaeological finds undoubtedly confirm
that this information refers to the city of Loutraki. The area
also known as Peraea, in other words beyond Corinth (from the
Greek pera for beyond) was colonized by the Corinthians in 750
BC.
There
are also historical references that around 146 BC when the city
passed into the control of the Romans, that General Sulla, was
cured in its spa waters and thus its secrets were disseminated
throughout the entire Roman world.
Moreover,
plenty of churches built during the Byzantine era also point to
the importance of the city and its historical development throughout
ages. Loutraki played a significant role during the Greek Revolution
in 1821 due to its geographical position as many battles took
place there. The most famous one was against Dramalis (September
25-27, 1822) where Greek troops obliterated Dramalis’ forces
– a victorious battle aided the outcome of the revolution
greatly: the liberation and the establishment of the Greek State.
Nowadays,
the international medical community is showing a great deal of
interest in Loutraki due to its waters which are considered as
equals to the famous waters of Vichi, Evian and Perrier.
Twelve
kilometers outside the cosmopolitan Loutraki is lied the historical
village of Perahora, well known for its wine production. In antiquity,
it was called “Peraea” and there are a lot of archaeological
finds – the ruins of ancient Oenoe (Schinos) and the tombs
of Peraea – that confirm its existence since the prehistoric
era. Though, the most important finds are located in the Heraion.
There are ancient sites and the temple of the goddess Hera. Magnificent
finds were also brought in light in this area such as ruins of
temples, samples of ceramic art, silver and golden coins, copper
tools, plenty of seals as well as road traces, fountains and tanks
that indicate the existence of a well developed water collective
system.
Finally,
Isthmia is a famous city since antiquity due to the organization
of the Panellenic games, so called “Isthmian Games”.
 Infrastructure
and Prospects: Tourist
infrastructure of Loutraki is well developed, as Loutraki is a
summer resort city and a theraupetical center providing a wide
range of services for pleasant and comfortable stay. There are
55 hotel units – in all categories- ready to welcome tourists
and visitors throughout year, while restaurants and taverns provide
a great variety of traditional dishes and fresh fish.
Loutraki
is considered as the paradise of tourists, as it is an ideal place
for swimming, fishing and sea sports. At the same time tennis
courts, basket ball, volley ball and foot ball facilities are
available for sport activities. Moreover, a wide range of shops,
cinemas, bars and night clubs offer unlimited opportunities for
shopping and entertainment.
Loutraki’s
Casino that is the biggest in Europe with excellent services was
established in 1995. A
lot of investments have been scheduled, regarding further tourist
development and infrastructure of the Municipality, including:
The
inauguration of a new hotel aside Casino (capacity: 500 beds)
in the short run;
A
new yacht marina, 1500 m from the Casino (capacity: 700 yachts);
The
construction of a Conference Centre;
The
construction of a contemporary high quality unit of pools for
curative bath; an area of 3.660 sq.m. planned to be one of the
best full services centers of hydrotherapy in Europe;
The
completion of the centre for canoe kayak races (4 Panellenic championships
have already taken place);
The
construction of training facilities in the framework of the organization
of the Olympic Games 2004 in Athens;
The
extension of the coastal road, of the port, etc.
|
