Jump to content

Vouraikos

Coordinates:38°12′14″N22°11′21″E/ 38.2039°N 22.1891°E/38.2039; 22.1891
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vouraikos
Map
Native nameΒουραϊκός(Greek)
Location
CountryGreece
Physical characteristics
Mouth
• location
Gulf of Corinth
• coordinates
38°12′14″N22°11′21″E/ 38.2039°N 22.1891°E/38.2039; 22.1891
Length37.5 km (23.3 mi)
Train in the gorge

TheVouraikos(Greek:Βουραϊκός,Latin:Buraïcus,Erasinus(Ancient Greek:Ἐρασῖνος,romanized:Erasinos) according toStrabo[1]) is a river inAchaea,Greece.In ancient times it was called Erasinos. Its source is in theAroania mountains,near the village of Priolithos. It flows past the towns ofKalavrytaandDiakopto,and flows into theGulf of Corinthnear Diakopto. It is 37.5 km (23.3 mi) long.[2]The name is derived fromBoura,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 along dense vegetation and steep cliffs, waterfalls and caves.[3]TheDiakofto–Kalavryta Railwaypasses through the Vouraikos gorge.[4]

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.[3][better source needed]

The river is mentioned byPausaniasin hisDescription of Greece.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^Public DomainSmith, William,ed. (1854). "Achaia".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography.Vol. 1. London: John Murray. p. 13.
  2. ^"Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment"(in Greek). Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change. p. 42. Archived fromthe originalon 15 February 2020.
  3. ^abw:el:Βουραϊκός ποταμός
  4. ^Odontotos rack railway
  5. ^7.25.10(in this translation asBuraicus)