Begun by the Roman Emperor Nero in an attempt to join the Ionian Sea to the Aegean, but only opened in 1893. Up to that time the ancients would drag their ships across the isthmus on an old paved road, the dhiolkos. At 3.2 miles long, and only 25 m wide, the Corinth Canal allows ships to save many sea miles rounding the Peloponnisos Pennisula.
We awoke early and were off the dock at 730. The west entrance to the canal is just over one nautical mile from the Corinth Yacht Harbour (which cost $9.72 Euros for the night). We cued up behind a freighter and were told to press on at full speed to enter, no delay whatsoever!
As the sun rose up over the isthmus we were treated to golden hues off the towering limestone walls rising up sheer to a height of 79 meters. A light current against us made our speed over the ground 4.5 knots. A bridge at either end have their roadways lowered into the water allowing us to pass over them while four road and rail fixed bridges towered high over head. Our air draft is 18 m easily meeting the 52 m maximum height restriction.
Dues are collected at the east entrance, in our case $142 Euros. Bit expensive, but a wonderful experience through a wonderfully historic and picturesque canal. We were underway in short order for the 20 nm trip to our next destination of Aegina Island.