Patras is Greece's third biggest city (population: 170 thousand). This port city has often been called Greece's Gate to the West. But in the age of globalization this is no longer true: In fact, Patras has become the country's gate to the whole world.
Patras has a continued history which is four millennia long (in numbers: 4000 years...). From this history, a lot is still to be seen. There are some Roman buildings left, as well as remains from many other historic periods. In Patras, there is Greece's biggest church - the Orthodox cathedral of Agios Andreas, which is also the largest and most monumental Byzantine church in the whole of South-Eastern Europe. The city's topographic look is remarkable.
Patras is a city of culture (having been Europe's Cultural Capital in 2006). The Patras Carnival with its stunning parades is no less vibrant than that in Rio de Janeiro - but instead of Samba you will hear heart-warming Greek tunes with their typically Oriental element. But tradition is not all Patras has to offer.
Traditionally of course, trade and manufacturing used to be the city's main economic leg. But times are changing. Patras has turned into a high-tech center - or something that people call the Greek Silicon Valley.
