Patras
or PATRE, a fortified seaport town and the most important in the W. of Greece, climbs up a hillside and spreads out at its foot on the E. shore of the Gulf of Patras, 81 miles W. by N. of Corinth and 137 W. of N. of Athens.
It is a handsome city, having been almost entirely rebuilt after the ravages of the war of liberation (1821). It is defended by a citadel, is the seat of an archbishop, and has a spacious new harbor (1880) protected by a mole. It ships great quantities of currants, chiefly to Great Britain and France. Besides currants, olive oil, wine, valonia, etc., are exported.
Pop. about 45,000. Patræ is the only one of the 12 cities of Achaia which still exists as a town; but most of its relics have been swept away by earthquake (551, 1820) and siege. It was an early seat of Christianity, having an archbishop before 347.