Vouraikos

Vouraikos gorge
Train in the gorge.

The Vouraikos (Greek: Βουραϊκός) is a river in Achaea, Greece. In ancient times it was called Erasinos. Its source is in the Aroania mountains, near the village of Priolithos. It flows past the towns of Kalavryta and Diakopto, and flows into the Gulf of Corinth near Diakopto. Its length is 40 km. The name is derived from Boura, a mythological daughter of Ion and Helice who was beloved by Hercules, who according to legend opened the gorge in order to get close to her. This is the Vouraikos gorge, which has a length of about 20 km. In the gorge the river passes through dense vegetation and tunnels with many caves, passes and crags.[1]

According to legend there was a cave on the banks of the river which was dedicated to Hercules. There pilgrims came to read their fate in the Tables of Knowledge, as they were called.[1]

The river is mentioned by Pausanias in his Description of Greece.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 w:el:Βουραϊκός ποταμός
  2. ↑ 7.25.10 (in this translation as Buraicus)

Coordinates: 38°12′14″N 22°11′21″E / 38.2039°N 22.1891°E / 38.2039; 22.1891


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