The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, thus effectively making the former peninsula an island.
The canal was mooted in classical times and an abortive effort was made to build it in the 1st century AD. Following the Independence of Greece, Governor Kapodistrias wanted to develop the country therefore he assigned the study of opening the canal to a specialized engineer. Construction finally got under way in 1881 but was hampered by geological and financial problems that bankrupted the original builders. It was completed in 1893 but, due to the canal’s narrowness, navigational problems and periodic closures to repair landslides from its steep walls, it failed to attract the level of traffic expected by its operators. It is now used mainly for tourist traffic.
Demolising of the Canal by German Troops 1944
Restoration works lasted 5 years (1944-1949)
The Canal is put to use again
