Loutraki is a town in the prefecture of Corinthia. It is 84 kilometers from Athens and 4 kilometers from Corinth and at the census of 2011 it had 11,564 inhabitants. It is a recognized spa town since 1925[1], a tourist resort known for its thermal baths, its mineral waters and its casino. It is washed by the Gulf of Corinth, and is the seat of the municipality of Loutraki-Perachora-Agios Theodoros, while the Geraneia mountains dominate the city. It is located in the geographical department of Peloponnese.
In ancient times the area was known as Peraia land and in the place of Loutraki was the ancient town of Thermes or Thermae, known since ancient times for its thermal springs. It was considered a beloved city of the gods and its patron was Thermia Artemis [2].
The current name of Loutraki is due to its thermal springs – baths.
Loutraki is a municipality of the Prefecture of Corinthia, together with Perachora – which was originally a port – Agioi Theodorou, Isthmia, Poseidonia, Schino, Pisia and the holiday settlements around and near Lake Vouliagmeni.
On Mount Gerania just above Loutraki is the monastery of Saint Patapios, built in the 11th century. It is accessible by car and offers impressive views towards the Northern Peloponnese, the Isthmus of Corinth and the Saronic Sea. In the area of the thermal springs there is the church of Agios Andreas built in 1345 by Ioannis Kantakouzenos[1].
Roman mansion in the area of Katunistra of Loutraki. The luxurious complex dates back to the 2nd century. AD, it overlooked the Corinthian Sea, had an impressive bath complex in the southeast and a large swimming pool (piscina).[3]
The first casino in Greece opened in Loutraki in 1930. The current casino has been operating since 1995[4]. At a distance of 14 km to the West is the Lake of Vouliagmeni, a closed deep sea bay that communicates with the Corinthian with a narrow channel 6-8 meters wide where the phenomenon of inflow and outflow of water due to tides is observed in a small area. At a distance of 4 km to the South, in the direction of Corinth, is the Corinth Canal.
An enchanting journey through 2,500 years of history.
Loutraki and the surrounding area are living proof that Greek values derived from antiquity are classic and still have a lot to teach us.
Apollo, the God of the sun and prosperity, and Hera, the mother of all Gods, were worshiped in the area of Loutraki in temples, the ruins of which are preserved to this day. The first written reference to the water of Loutraki is found in the “Elliniki” of the Athenian historian Xenophon (431-351 BC). He referred to Thermae (the ancient name of the city of Loutraki) recounting the stay of Agesilaus, the king of Sparta, in the area during the Corinthian War (395-387 BC). His description, combined with historical facts and archaeological findings, confirm that this information refers to the city of Loutraki. The area also known as Perea, was colonized by the Corinthians in 750 BC.
There are also historical accounts that, in 146 BC, when the city was under the rule of the Romans, the general Sylas, was cured by the healing, warm waters of the city and thus the fame of the city spread throughout the Roman empire.
During the Byzantine years, many churches and temples were rebuilt in the area, which demonstrates the importance and historical progress of the city from era to era.
Loutraki played a decisive role during the Greek Revolution of 1821 due to its geographical location, as many battles took place there. The most famous battle was against Dramali (September 25-27, 1822), where the Greek troops eliminated the forces of Dramali – the victorious battle contributed significantly to the results of the revolution: the liberation and the establishment of the Greek state.
Twelve kilometers from cosmopolitan Loutraki is the historical “Perachora”. In ancient times it was called “Perea” and there are many archaeological findings – the ruins of ancient Oinois (Sinos) and the tombs of the Peraeia – which confirm its existence from prehistoric times. However, the most important findings are found in Heraion. In this area, great archaeological finds were discovered, the temple of the goddess Hera, ruins of prehistoric temples, samples of ceramic art, gold and silver coins, copper tools, many seals as well as traces of roads, taps and tanks that indicate the existence of a developed water supply system.
In the northwest of the city of Agios Theodoros, in 1961, archaeologists discovered the ruins of ancient Crommiona. According to Strabo, the entire coastal region of Saronic and Eleusis was called Crommion. The toponym clearly indicates a place where crommia (onions) thrive or are cultivated, although Pausanias considers the name to be derived from Poseidon’s son Cromos. killed on his way from Troizina to Athens.
The central beach of Loutraki, with its crystal clear blue waters and colorful pebbles, has been awarded the “Blue Flag” every year, continuously since 1987.
