Capital of Greece’s Western region, Patras is also the principal port looking towards the Ionian islands and Italy.

Founded in the 3rd millennium BC, Patras flourished during the Mycenaean and especially the Roman periods, up until the 9th century AD. From the 13th century, it belonged to the Franks, to the Byzantines, to the Venetians and at other times, to the Turks.

Patras developed rapidly after liberation from the Turks in 1821, and thanks to the increasing commerce it enjoyed as a port city. Everywhere beautiful neo-classical buildings still embellish this city whose roads lead to the sea, making a strong and picturesque impression. Artistic and spiritual life remains very intense today. Gradually, heavy industry has also developed, increasing the population. Today, Patras is one of the most influential cities in Greece, with its port continuing to play the important role it has always held throughout its long history.

City status
Population diversity
Patras is a city in Greece. It has a population of 222,460. The majority group makes up 90% of the city’s inhabitants. The ethnic composition of Greece foreign population in descending order comprises: 64.91% Albanians; 6.53% Bulgarians; 4.52% Romanian; and 3.17% Pakistani. 65% of the city's total population are foreign-born.
Profile and activities
Intercultural Cities Index
Good practice

Back Museum - City - Monument: Intercultural Routes in Patras

In December 2018 Patras launched an intercultural route. The project aims to improve community engagement. An excursion into the culture and history of Patras was offered through two seminars entitled "Museum - City - Monument: Intercultural Routes in Patras" which were organised in December 2018 at the Patras Archaeological Museum. The initiatives were launched for celebrating the International Migrant’s Day 2018.

More specifically, the Directorate of Antiquities of Achaia-Ministry of Culture, the Directorate of Secondary Education of Achaia Prefecture-Dpt. of Cultural Themes, the Directorate of Elementary Education of Achaia Prefecture- Dpt. of Cultural Projects and the Municipality of Patras joined forces and organised the seminars as part of the implementation of the cultural network entitled “Patras, a city, a multi-story route” formed during 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage. By visiting selected mosaics, sculptures and monuments of the city, the participants got acquainted with the aspects of the multicultural Patras of Roman times. The city was an important multinational and cosmopolitan centre at this time and the visits aimed to create and help interpret the current intercultural identity of the city. At the same time, the emphasis was put on diversity, democracy, solidarity and fundamental universal values such as justice, equality and anti-discrimination. The seminars included the presentation of the actions of the network accompanied by experimental workshops guided by musicologists and painters.

The first seminar was dedicated to teachers, tutors and professors who in the future will implement intercultural projects at their educational institutes targeting youngsters and young adults. Whilst the second seminar was dedicated to representatives of local stakeholders of civil society, with migrant associations playing a main role. These actors will co-design actions in 2019 and get inspiration from the values of “Patras, a city, a multi-story route” initiative.

It is noteworthy, that the intercultural routes are designed to permit walking and following the route within the city itself in real life. The overall initiative will be completed in the summer of 2019 with the implementation of parallel events and exhibitions at the Archaeological Museum of Patras, in the context of the celebration of its tenth anniversary and the light of a holistic approach and intercultural aspect of the heritage of Patras.

In order to evaluate the project, questionnaires were completed by the participants in the first event (teachers, tutors). The average satisfaction rate was 93% and all of them (100%) expressed their interest to launch related actions at school level with their pupils. The project is supported in cooperation with:

· the Directorate of Antiquities of Achaia-Ministry of Culture,

· the Directorate of Secondary Education of Achaia Prefecture-Dpt. of Cultural Themes,

· The Directorate of Elementary Education of Achaia Prefecture- Dpt. of Cultural Projects,

· The Municipality of Patras,

· Associations of Migrants Communities in Patras (Albania, Romania, Russia, Bulgaria, Latin America)

2019
  • Diminuer la taille du texte
  • Augmenter la taille du texte
  • Imprimer la page

mayor

Kostas PELETEDIS

Useful links