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Welcome to PATRAS an extra service of European City Guide / ECG
Information about PATRAS
Patras is a very old town with a 3000-year history. It is situated in the South West region of Greece, and extends from the sea front to the foot of Mount Panachaiko. It is Greece’s third-largest city, geographically-speaking, and the largest in the Peloponnese. Patras, one of the busiest cities in Greece because of its cluster of University faculties, is the capital of the Achaia Region. It is named after Patreus, legendary chief of the Achaeans. It has the fourth largest population in Greece (160,000), following Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki. It is an important centre of communications, connecting Greece with Italy, and the Peloponnese with the Ionian Islands.Patras has sights well worth seeing, like the Cathedral of St. Andrew (the patron saint of Patras), the Archaeological Museum, a Municipal Library, and a Press Museum. It also boasts a Roman Odeon (music hall) on the slopes of the ancient Acropolis, and a medieval castle on the summit. In July and August, however, the Patras International Festival of the Arts brings all kinds of performances from ancient drama to popular music, at the Roman Odeon and the Patras Municipal Theatre. You also can attend the Wine Festival, featuring tastings at the Achaia Clauss winery . The Patras Carnival is the biggest event of its kind in the country. It is also in certain respects one of the biggest carnivals in the world and one of the most important in Europe, it lasts nearly a month, with parades, costumes, and floats, ending the Monday before Lent. Above the city, tower the ruins of the Venetian Castle, now a public garden from which there is a fine panoramic view across the city and the Gulf of Corinth to the coast of Midland Greece (Sterea Ellada). The traffic-free street of Trion Navarchon lead to Psila Alonia, a large and beautiful square with palm trees and a sundial.
The ‘Bourboulia’ is a famous ball is organised by the Municipality at Patras Municipal Theatre APOLLON (a mini-reproduction of the Milan Scala Opera House). At the ‘Bourboulia’, women wearing black clothing and masks in the design of dominoes dominate and control men who participate in their everyday clothes. Entrance for women in domino costume is free whilst the men have to pay.
General Information Capital: Athens Area: 131,990 km2 Population: 11,257,285 (January 1, 2009). Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used IDD: +30 Emergency number: 100 Timezone: GMT +2 Hrs (+3 Hrs MAR-OCT)
Government Government: Parliamentary Republic
Religion Religion: 98% Greek Orthodox, other religious denominations.
Health Health: The following vaccinations are recommended: Tetanus.
Currency Currency: Euro (EUR) 1.00 = 100 Cents
Exchange Rate Exchange Rate: All 100.00 USD = 66.8534 EUR GBP = 110.480
CHF = 66.1543
Alcohol Limit Alcohol Limit: 0,5 ‰
Speed Limit Speed Limit: Cities: 50 km/h , Outside cities: 110 km/h , Motorways: 120 km/h
Traffic Traffic: Traffic drives on the right .The minimum age for driving is 18.
Driving License Driving License: A national driving licence is acceptable for EU nationals. Nationals of non-EU countries may need an International Driving Permit and should contact ELPA.
National Holidays National holidays: Jan 1 Jan 6 Mar 25 May 1 Aug 15 Oct 28 Dec 25 Dec 26
Climate Climate: Temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
Temperatures Temperatures: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec A 9 10 11 15 20 25 28 27 24 19 15 11 P 62 37 37 23 23 14 6 7 15 51 56 71 S 4 5 6 8 9 11 12 12 9 7 5 4 A=Aver. Daily Temp. (°C)
Mobile Network Mobile Network: GSM 900 / 1800 & 3G 2100
GPS GPS: 38 00 N, 23 43 E
Shopping Hours Shopping Hours: Mon, Wed, Sat: 8.00-14.00 Tue, Thu, Fri: 8.00-14.00 17.30-20.30
