Acrocorinth

According to Greek mythology, the first owner of the area was the hero Bellerophon, who tamed Pegasus, the winged horse, when it went to Acrocorinth to drink water from a spring. Riding Pegasus, Bellerophon was able to kill Chimera, the terrible fire-breathing monster. Pegasus became the symbol of Corinth and he appeared on Corinthian coins, as well as many local artifacts.

The first fortification on the Acrocorinth dates at the late 7th century B.C., however the one you’re seeing today date back to the medieval times. The walls follow the natural grain of the rock and are reinforced by towers, bastions, crenellations filled with embrasures and cannon openings. The impressive castle still has its three lines of defense, so as you’re walking up the hill, you’ll pass through three gates.

It takes about 45-60 minutes to hike to the top and it’s definitely worth it! The view from up there is stunning! In addition, you’ll have the chance to see some of the remaining structures of the castle’s interior from different time periods, such as churches, mosques, fountains, cisterns, and the ruins of the famous ancient temple of Aphrodite, although to be honest the latter is more like a rock or two than a temple. On the southwest side, there’s a two-storied Frankish watchtower you shouldn’t miss. You can enter the tower and admire the amazing view of the surrounding area from the rooftop.