The Diolkos
The Diolkos
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4.0
32 reviews
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14
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11
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3
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4
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0
Superkatt
Sweden6,727 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
The Diolkos is an ancient over-land stone causeway which was build and used for transportation of ships and boats from Gulf of Corinth to Saronic Gulf. It was built by Corinthians about 7 th century BC and went through the small land bridge which connect Peloponnessos and mainland Greece.
Total length of the Diolkos was app. 8 km. and width between 3,5 and 4 meters. This way could spare the dangerous and long trip around Peloponnessos, about 190 miles. The Diolkos was not a straight way through Isthmus, but followed the easier way through the terrain. The remains of Diolkos can be easiest found on the eastern shore of Isthmus, follow the minor road from Loutraki to Corinthos (or vice versa) which goes nearest Corinthian Gulf and very near the submersible bridge over Canal, on the side of Corinth you vill notice well-signed Diolkos remains on the both sides of the road. It is possible to park a car nearby, near also are taverns and cafe.
Total length of the Diolkos was app. 8 km. and width between 3,5 and 4 meters. This way could spare the dangerous and long trip around Peloponnessos, about 190 miles. The Diolkos was not a straight way through Isthmus, but followed the easier way through the terrain. The remains of Diolkos can be easiest found on the eastern shore of Isthmus, follow the minor road from Loutraki to Corinthos (or vice versa) which goes nearest Corinthian Gulf and very near the submersible bridge over Canal, on the side of Corinth you vill notice well-signed Diolkos remains on the both sides of the road. It is possible to park a car nearby, near also are taverns and cafe.
Written May 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amelacanthus
Thessaloniki71 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
A great sight of high archaeological interest, which suffers the grave effects of poor touristic management - and time.
The ancient Diolkos is an overland ramp where ancient Greeks used to move boats from the gulf of Corinth to the Argosaronic gulf and vice versa for military and / or commercial purposes.
In any other civilized country the Diolkos would have been highlighted and promoted as a great sight, a must see! But in Corinth... it seems that the mentality is different. You can hardly see the sight and you will probably miss it as you go to Loutraki through the submersible bridge.
There is no serious effort put around this sight. No signs, no illustrative maps, e-books, guides or whatsoever. Tourists are supposed to be proactive and get well informed and equipped BEFORE going there. Or else.. half of the story is lost.
What a pity!
The ancient Diolkos is an overland ramp where ancient Greeks used to move boats from the gulf of Corinth to the Argosaronic gulf and vice versa for military and / or commercial purposes.
In any other civilized country the Diolkos would have been highlighted and promoted as a great sight, a must see! But in Corinth... it seems that the mentality is different. You can hardly see the sight and you will probably miss it as you go to Loutraki through the submersible bridge.
There is no serious effort put around this sight. No signs, no illustrative maps, e-books, guides or whatsoever. Tourists are supposed to be proactive and get well informed and equipped BEFORE going there. Or else.. half of the story is lost.
What a pity!
Written September 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucian M
Constanta, Romania2,503 contributions
Jun 2014 • Business
The road is an example of impressive ancient engineering. It is said that the idea to have a Canal connecting the Gulf of Corinth and Gulf of Saronic existed even from ancient times, but the technology and appropriate equipment missed at that time. Instead of a canal the ancient people decided to build an overland causeway in order to avoid circumnavigation of Peloponnesus. This road follows, more or less, the same route as the modern Canal. I was lucky enough to see a part of renovated Diolkos on the territory of a Governmental institution and, as you can see in my photos, the road looks pretty good. Our host explained what is all about the ancient road and presented to us a computer simulation with the way in which, it is believed, the ships were transported on the road.
If this archeological site is not well preserved and promoted in other places where is still visible, then it is, indeed, a great loss for tourists and municipality as well.
If this archeological site is not well preserved and promoted in other places where is still visible, then it is, indeed, a great loss for tourists and municipality as well.
Written December 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vladislav B
Sydney, Australia93 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
This site has a good potential, the ancient technology used is fascinating. However there is very little there left to see: two short stretches on both sides of a modern road, some remains of launching ramp/mooring place, and a short section visible under water. Another unfortunate thing is that when we visited (Aug 2015) there was a pack of around a dozen of not friendly dogs occupying the area and chasing rare visitors away.
There appears to be a bit longer section of the ancient road preserved on the other bank of the canal which is a military area, not open to the public. It is estimated that overall there is around 1km preserved out of the total of approx. 8km track, only a few hundred meters currently accessible.
Excellent and detaild animation showing how the road worked in ancient time is on YouTube in many languages, here is the two part English version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG-8uaCxzq8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMppjc12M_M
There appears to be a bit longer section of the ancient road preserved on the other bank of the canal which is a military area, not open to the public. It is estimated that overall there is around 1km preserved out of the total of approx. 8km track, only a few hundred meters currently accessible.
Excellent and detaild animation showing how the road worked in ancient time is on YouTube in many languages, here is the two part English version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG-8uaCxzq8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMppjc12M_M
Written August 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richardinbath
Bristol, UK75 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
The viewable area is not huge and is barely interpreted. However, the site is free and provides an insight into the way in which ships traversed the area in hellenistic times
Written May 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph B
Cape Town Central, South Africa16 contributions
Jul 2015
Not a very well maintained site, this attraction is fascinating to see. We saw the section of this site just after Poseidonia, on the West side of the canal by the new bridge that submerges when boats go past (Corinthian Gulf side). No information about the boat-road visible. No entrance fee as this site is open, somewhat un kept, but worth seeing if interested as to how they moved boasts across the isthmus in ancient times. No public busses service this area, so use your own transport or walk approx. 3 kilometres one way from Corinth along the coastal road.
Written July 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitrios L
Athens, Greece59 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
Technical work of paved road, wich was used to avoid the circumnavigation of Peloponnese. The boats were transferred with the use of the slide, from the Saronikos gulf into the Corinthos gulf.
Written April 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
njbusinesscards
Hoboken, NJ8 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
A great place to see by boat on those small cruise boats leaving Loutaki Isthmia ports and going through the Canal
Written November 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
geomaranos
Trondheim, Norway97 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
It stands parallel with the Corinth Chanel. Thats the way that the ancient Greeks did not sail around Peloponisos. Take a visit. Water and hats.
Written September 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
haagshopje
Athens, Greece21 contributions
Sept 2015
The Diolkos is the ancient road providing transport for ships over the narrow landslip between Gulf of Corinth and Saronic Sea before the Canal was constructed. It is at the Corinth side of the Canal, the counterpoint looking towards Loutraki called Posidonia. Already during Antiquity a canal had been considered in the minds of among others Periandros, Nero and Herodes Atticus but they were lacking the means and knowledge. Then around 600BC a road was built over which ships were hauled over land to the other side. Remains of this road can still be clearly seen today. The actual Canal was cut through land in the late 1800's. At the Posidonia side another "modern" means of transportation over the Canal did exist not for ships but for pedestrians, cyclers and small vehicles. This was a raft that could be moved from side to side by pulling a chain by means of a wheel. This was in use until the late 1960's. Nowadays the Canal can be crossed from Corinth-Loutraki vice versa by 3 bridges for road transport and 1 for trains. The actual Diolkos is not maintained or mentioned or even very frequently visited for that matter.
Written August 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George-Marcia
Reading, Pennsylvania
Orpheus, I saw that you were able to see the portion of diolkos located in the military base where the engineering school operates. What did you have to do to get permission to enter the facility? Thanks. George
Written November 13, 2021
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