Patras is the 3rd largest city in Greece, and located in the Peloponnese. It is a port city and has ferries serving Italy and the Ionian Islands. Patras was established as a Roman City specifically for access to Italy, and has a long history from this time. It is fairly unique in the Peloponnese as it is a town with no Acropolis as a result.
The Patras Carnival, held in January and February, is the largest in Greece and one of the largest in Europe, and whilst having occurred for 180 years in Patras, Greek Carnival has it routes in a spring Pagan festival celebrating Bacchus, the Roman God of wine.
Perhaps most famously in AD 60 Saint Andrew the Apostle was crucified by the Romans in Patras, and on this site there now stands the largest Church in Greece, St Andrews, with a capacity of some 5000 people.
Patras has as a result some fantastic Roman buildings, including an Odeon and Roman Stadium, as well as a Byzantine castle built on the site of an old Roman Temple and Church.
