Gulf of Patras
The Gulf of Patras (Greek: Πατραϊκός Κόλπος Patraikós Kólpos) is a branch of the Ionian Sea. On the east, it is closed by the Strait of Rion between capes Rio, Greece and Antirrio, near the Rio-Antirio bridge. On the west, it is bounded by a line from Oxeia island to Cape Araxos. It is 40–50 km long, 10–20 km wide, and has an area of 350–400 km².
The Port of Patras lies to the southeast and is the only major port on the gulf. It serves ferries to Ancona and Brindisi in Italy along with Kefallonia. Missolonghi also has a port. There are beaches in the south, the east and parts of the north. The old ports of Rio-Antirio lie east of the gulf. The gulf is rich in fish.
Three major naval battles in the Gulf of Patras: the Battle of Zonchio in 1499, the Battle of Modon in 1500 and the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, one of the largest naval battles ever fought. Though the first two are sometimes also referred to as the "Battle of Lepanto", it is the last that has become most associated with the name. Lepanto itself lies further in, in the Gulf of Corinth. The Battle of Patras was fought here in 1772 between Russian and Ottoman fleets.
The ship Vivi hit a mine and sank 30 m below sea level on September 11, 1940.
Cities and towns
- Rio east, east, beach
- Patras east, port and beaches
- Paralia, southeast
- Roitika, southeast
- Monodendri, southeast
- Tsoukalaiika, south southeast
- Alissos, south, beach
- Alykes, north of Kato Achaia, south
- Ioniki Akti, south
- Mavry Myti, southwest
- Cape Araxos, southwest
- Messolonghi Lagoon, northwest
- Missolonghi, north
- Antirrio, northeast, port
Tributaries
The following rivers flow into the Gulf of Patras: