Corinth Canal

Corinth Canal
Map
LocationIsthmus of Corinth
CountryGreece
Coordinates37°56′05″N 22°59′02″E / 37.93472°N 22.98389°E / 37.93472; 22.98389
Specifications
Length6.34[2][3] km (3.94 miles)
Maximum boat beam24.6 m (81 ft) [2][3]
Maximum boat draft7.3 m (24 ft)
Maximum boat air draft52 m (171 ft)[2]
Locks0
StatusOpen (reopened in June 1, 2023 after being closed since January 2021)[4][5]
Navigation authorityCorinth Canal S.A (A.E.DI.K)[6]
History
Principal engineerIstván Türr and Béla Gerster
Construction began67 AD (first attempt)
1881 (final attempt)
Date of first use25 July 1893[1]
Date completed25 July 1893

The Corinth Canal (Greek: Διώρυγα της Κορίνθου, romanized: Dioryga tis Korinthou) is an artificial canal in Greece that connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, making the peninsula an island. The canal was dug through the Isthmus at sea level and has no locks. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 miles) in length and only 24.6 metres (80.7 feet) wide at sea level, making it impassable for many modern ships. It is currently of little economic importance and is mainly a tourist attraction.

The Corinth canal concept originated with Periander of Corinth in the 7th century BC. Daunted by its enormity, he chose to implement the Diolkos, a land trackway for transporting ships, instead.[7][8] Construction of a canal finally began under Roman Emperor Nero in 67 AD, using Jewish prisoners captured during the First Jewish–Roman War. However, the project ceased shortly after his death.[9][10] In subsequent centuries, the idea intrigued figures like Herodes Atticus in the second century and, following their conquest of the Peloponnese in 1687, the Venetians. Despite their interest, neither of them undertook the construction.[11][12]

Construction finally recommenced 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.

  1. ^ Facaros, Dana; Theodorou, Linda (1 May 2003). Greece. New Holland Publishers. p. 172. ISBN 978-1-86011-898-2. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e "The Canal: Specifications". Corinth Canal S.A (A.E.DI.K). Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Clarke, Michael (4 September 2024). "Corinth Canal". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  4. ^ "New Video Shows Corinth Canal – Greece's Suez – After Landslide". 31 May 2021.
  5. ^ "PM visits closed Corinth Canal to inspect repair plan | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. 17 April 2021.
  6. ^ "The Company: Our Vision". Corinth Canal S.A (A.E.DI.K). Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Raepsaet, G. & Tolley, M. (1993), 256 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Werner, Walter, 1997, 114 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Nero was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference gerster was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).