Acrocorinth

(Local Name: Akrokórinthos) The ascent of Acrocorinth (Akrokórinthos; 575m/1,887ft) is made easier by a road which climbs to a point near the lowest gate on the west side. This commanding site was fortified in ancient times, and its defenses were maintained and developed during the Byzantine, Frankish, Turkish and Venetian periods. Beyond a moat (alt. 380m/1,245ft) constructed by the Venetians we come to the first gate (Frankish, 14th C.) and first wall (15th C.); then follow the second and third walls (Byzantine), with a Hellenistic tower in front of the third gate, to the right. Within the fortress we follow a path running northeast to the remains of a mosque (16th C.), and then turn south until we join a path leading up to the eastern summit, on which there once stood the famous temple of Aphrodite, who was worshipped here after the Eastern fashion. From here there are fine views of the Isthmus and the hills of the Peloponnese.