PATRAS CARNIVAL - GREECE

Patras is the capital of the Achaia Region and the largest city in the Peloponnese, Greece. It is also is the main port for sea travel to the Ionian Islands and Italy. Primarily known for its busy port and ferry departures to Italy, not to mention the fantastic carnival held annually to kick off the Lenten season, Patras and the surrounding area offer a wealth of things to do and see.

There is a sprawling metropolis by the sea with a wonderful old section. Neoclassical buildings, cathedrals, museums, shops, bars, cafes and vibrant nightlife make this area a treasure waiting to be found. Within easy reach are mountains, lakes, caves, and villages, all with magnificent natural scenery.
Patras is easy to reach from Athens by private or rental car, and by train or public bus. In fact, bus departures are very frequent throughout the day, and the trip takes only two and one-half hours, along a very scenic route.

Patras / Carnival

The Patras Carnival is a continuos meeting of myth with reality, imagination and creation over the years. The most important elements (records) concerning the course of the Patras Carnival are drawn from recent investigations, which sent us back to the 19th century.

From these we can conclude that the first Carnival Ball in the capital of Achaia was held in the house of the merchant Moretis in 1829. The place where art, imagination and creation meet with the Kind of Carnival bears the name of the Carnival Workshop.

There, Carnival imagination has the power while every design is brought to space. In this hive of creation, a unique army hews the floats with equal wisdom every year, introducing a special proposal to the cultural events of the country at the same time.

With artistic feeling, talent and patience that many of us would envy, those heroes of the Patras Carnival who remain in the background transform designs and sketches into Carnival floats with dominant traditional elements.

Patras / Grand Parade

The whole town, plus more than 300.000 visitors move to the rhythms the participants impose, and floats with the Carnival King lead you to the paths of high spirit, merry making and freedom from care.
What happens in Patras, on the last Sunday of Carnival, is the pinnacle of the pyramid, which the Patras Carnival has been built on every year. The parade starts some time after noon with high spirit, dancing and participants, while those taking part in the 'Treasure Hunt Game' write their own history in their own way in the streets of the Capital of Achaia.