Patra (Greek: Modern: Πάτρα, Ancient: Πάτραι, Pátrai) is the third largest city of Greece, and also the capital of the Achaea region of Greece. Patra, or Patras, is located in the southwest part of Greece in Peloponnesos. It is also the seat of the Province of West Greece and Ionian Islands. Patra has a population of over 200,000 and is an important commercial center and a busy port, with regular car-ferry services to and from Italy. Distance from Athens is 215 km W, 94 km (old: 100 km) NE of Pyrgos, 7 km S of Rio, 134 km slightly W of Corinth, 77 km NW of Kalavryta and 144 km NW of Tripoli. Patra is a very old town with a history of more than 3,000 years. The ancient city of Patras was originally formed by the unification of three Mycenaean villages: Aroe, Antheia and Mesatis. After the Dorian invasion a group of Achaeans from Laconia, led by Patreas, established a colony and the city took its name from their leader. During the ancient years, Patras remained a farming region but during the Roman invasion it became an important port.

Saint Andrew came to Patras to preach Christianity, During the reign of Emperor Nero. He was sentenced to death by crucifixion and died as a martyr. He is considered the protector of the city. A large byzantine-style basilica was built in the 1970s in his honor, on the place of his crucifixion.

During the Byzantine period Patras continued to be an important port as well as an industrial center. Patras was invaded by the Turks in 1460. The first period of Turkish rule (1460 -1687) was a miserable one but from 1715 and on there was a revival of trade and so in the 18th century it became a prosperous town again economically based on agriculture and trade. Later Patras played an active part in the Independence struggle against Turks (1821).

The town nowadays is divided into the Upper and Lower part with broad flights of steps, as well as streets, giving access between the two levels. The upper part is the older and more picturesque but the lower part is attractively laid out with plenty of squares notably the square of Psila Alonia and Georgiou I square. There are a lot of neoclassical buildings left like the theatre "Apollon" in Georgiou I Square, the Town Hall, the headquarters of the Local Trade Association and the Justice Court

The most interesting ancient monument in Patras is the Roman Odeon, now reconstructed and used as an open-air theatre for performances and concerts during the summer period. Overlooking the whole town is a ruined Castle, a relic of the Venetian invasion of the town (1687-1715). In current times, its interior is laid out as a public garden.

Patras is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. It offers its resident a lot of facilities such as shopping centers, picturesque cafes, pubs, discos, restaurants as well as educational and cultural facilities such as schools, colleges, a university, a library, two theatres and some galleries and cinemas. Two state-funded hospitals exist in the city: Saint Andreus, the oldest of the two is named after the city's protector sant and it resides on the south side of the city. The University Hospital of Rio is a university hospital, where med-students inter and specialise in their major. It resides on the north-eastern part of the city, inside the city's Univerity Park, the pak

One of the biggest tourist attractions of Patras, is the carnival festival, held every year in February-March. It is one of the most famous in the world coming just after Rio de Janeiro and Venice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patra

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