Corinth: Ancient Corinth Tour Including Famous Isthmus Canal｜Greece

Begin your tour of Corinth at the Isthmus, the narrow land bridge connecting the Peloponnese with mainland Greece. Its strategic position made Corinth a major commercial and travel hub in Paul’s time, serving as a key passage for both land routes and ships moving between the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Small boats were dragged across the Isthmus, while larger ships used Corinth’s west port or the east port of Cenchreae. Today, you can view the 19th-century Corinth Canal, cut to allow direct sea passage.

Corinth flourished between 350–250 B.C., was destroyed by the Romans, and rebuilt by Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. Paul arrived around 50 C.E. on his second missionary journey, staying 18 months and returning again around 57 C.E. Many residents still worshipped Greek gods such as Apollo, Asclepius, and Aphrodite, whose cult shaped the city’s reputation for immorality.

Visit the Temple of Apollo with its striking monolithic columns. Corinth also contained a notable Jewish community. Paul lived and worked among them and preached every Sabbath. The nearby Erastus inscription likely refers to the city official mentioned by Paul. The large ancient theater seated about 18,000 people.

At the Agora, see the Bema—an elevated marble platform identified as Gallio’s “Judgment Seat,” where Paul was brought by local Jews. Gallio refused the case, calling it an internal religious dispute. After Silas and Timothy arrived, Paul focused entirely on preaching and remained after receiving divine reassurance of protection. Archaeological finds, including a synagogue inscription and a menorah-carved marble impost, confirm this Jewish presence.

At the sanctuary of Asclepius, terracotta body-part offerings—legs, hands, and even genitalia—show how worshipers sought healing from the ancient god.