Corinth Canal (Corinth, Greece)
City:
Corinth
State, Province, Region, or District:
Country:
Greece
Overview
The first sight of interest for any visitor to ancient Corinth is the canal across the isthmus. The modern canal, completed in 1893, connects the Aegean Sea on the east with the Adriatic Sea on the west. The completed canal was about 3.5 miles long, 75 feet wide at the top, and 65 feet wide at the bottom.
The Corinth Canal was built to provide a shortcut for ships traveling between the Ionian (Adriatic) and Aegean Seas, avoiding the long and dangerous 250 mile (400 kilometer) detour around the Peloponnese peninsula. This significantly reduced travel time and the risks associated with navigating the southern Peloponnesian coast. The southern Peloponnesian coast was known for its strong winds, currents, and rocky shores, making it a hazardous route for ships.
Before the canal was built, the Corinthians would bring the small ships out of the water and skid them along in grooves on a wheeled platform from one side of the isthmus to the other using slave labor and oxen. A portion of the diolkos (the roadway built to move cargo and small boats across the isthmus) near the Adriatic side has been uncovered and can be seen.
The idea of building a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth dates back to ancient times. Lacking the technology to accomplish such a feat, Periander built the diolkos in the 6th century B.C. A movable wooden platform ran along the roadway in grooves approximately four feet apart. Smaller vessels (generally military) could be loaded directly onto the platform, but heavily laden commercial ships had to be unloaded first and their cargo transported across the isthmus while the ships and their crews made the hazardous voyage around the Peloponnesus.
Although the canal is not suitable for large modern ships, it remains a popular tourist destination and a testament to human ingenuity.
Geography & Location
Corinth is situated on the Isthmus of Corinth about 40 miles west of Athens in Greece.
Biblical, Historical, & Archaeological Background Information
Biblical Connection
Design & Layout
The sea level canal consists of a single lock-free 20,810 feet (6,343 meters) channel excavated 26 feet (8 meters) deep, 81 feet (24.6 meters) in breadth at the surface and 70 feet (21.3 meters) wide at the bottom. The rock walls, which rise 300 feet (90 meters) above sea level, are at a near-vertical 80° angle. The canal is crossed by a railway line, a road and a motorway at a height of about 148 feet (45 meters). In 1988, submersible bridges were installed at sea level at each end of the canal, by the eastern harbor of Isthmia and the western harbor of Poseidonia, providing two additional crossings for road traffic.
Biblical & Historical References
Paul first traveled to Corinth on his second missionary journey after spending a brief time preaching in Athens (see Acts 17:16-18:1).
Spiritual Lessons and Application
See the article: Paul's "Abrupt" Departure from Athens.
Places of Interest
NOTE: Ancient Corinth comprises three sites: the Corinth Canal across the isthmus (this page), the main archaeological site with its museum and Roman forum, and the fortifications and ruins atop the Acrocorinth.
Virtual Visit
Although the canal saves the 430-mile (700-kilometer) journey around the Peloponnese, it is too narrow for modern ocean freighters, as it can only accommodate ships of a width of up to 58 feet (17.6 meters) in width and 24 feet (7.3 meters) in draft.. Aside from the canal's narrowness, navigational problems and periodic closures to repair landslips from its steep walls, it failed to attract the level of traffic anticipated by its operators. The bridge above is perfect for bungee jumping.