Achaia,Peloponnese,Greece:Tourist guide for holidays to Achaia Prefecture,Holidays Greece

ABOUT ACHAIA PREFECTURE

Patra, the capital, is one of the most famous cities of Greece abroad since its renowned harbor connects the city with Italy via super modern sea vessels. The city is also famous for its carnival which every year attracts visitors not only from the rest of Greece but from abroad too. The protector saint of the city is Agios Andreas and the church of Agios Andreas (Saint Andrew) is one of the largest in the Balkans with Byzantine pictures and parts of the cross upon which Saint Andrew became a martyr.

The co-capital of the province, Aegio, which during the Turkish occupation was called Vostitsa is a city of a great beauty. It is very easy to access the different beaches that surround the city. It is worth visit the church of Panagia Tripiti. Thousands are the faithful who visit it every year. It was built by the famous Schiller who is responsible for many masterpieces that one can see as walking around the city of Aegio. Some of them are: The tower of Psila Alonia, The church of Faneromeni, Panagiotopoulos building and others. The twelve springs ant the plane tree of Pafsanias make Aegio a special place. In Vostitsa near the end of January 1821 it took place the first official gathering of the priests of Peloponesse in order to start the revolution against Turkish occupation the famous "Secret assembly of Vostitsa" under the guidance of Paleon Patron Germanos.

Kalavryta is the town that makes Achaia a very special place since its historical and cultural importance is great. Thousands of tourists go there for skiing during the winter season. One can also reach Kalavrita from Diakopto. A small train called odontotos carries passengers through an incredible landscape towards Kalavrita. The town is famous for the role that played in the revolution of 1821 since it is there that the resistance against the Turks started. There are two historical churches one should visit, Agia Lavra and Mega Spilaeo. Also the small church of Panagia Plataniotissa, which is built within a tree trunk created by three plane trees connected side by side and the gorge of Vouraikos, are worth visiting.

The history of Ancient Eliki is well known. Modern research is on its way to discover the ancient city and reveal to us the hidden treasures of the wonderful culture that lies buried for thousands of years.