Patras: carnival and Roman theatres in the Peloponnese

Greece's third-largest city, Patras hosts every year one of the oldest and grandest carnivals in Europe, alongside Roman theaters in its historic center.

The center, celebrated for its carnival and Roman theaters, is comfortably explored on foot.

The Castle of Patras, a Byzantine fortress repeatedly expanded by Franks and Venetians, dominates the city from atop its hill on the Gulf of Corinth.

A few steps away, the Roman Odeon, a theater from the second century CE, still hosts concerts and performances during the city's summer festival.

Continuing, one visits the Church of Saint Andrew, among the largest in the Balkans, which houses the relics of the apostle, according to tradition martyred in Patras.

Toward evening, the waterfront of the city, departure point of ferries to Italy, animates cafés and restaurants overlooking the gulf.

The Carnival of Patras, celebrated continuously for over one hundred ninety years, remains among the largest and most elaborate in all of Europe, with processions of allegorical floats, musical groups, and thousands of costumed participants crossing the entire city.

According to Christian tradition, the apostle Andrew was crucified in Patras on an X-shaped cross, giving rise to the symbol still associated with the saint in many national flags today.