Porto Heli Portocheli is a town in southern Argolis with a population of about 2000 inhabitants. The place is one of the most secular resorts in the prefecture and one of the most popular resorts in the Peloponnese, which is why the locals are mainly active in tourism. Its port is connected to Spetses, while its marina in the summer is filled with tourist boats from all over Greece and beyond.
How to get there
Porto Heli is about 175 km from Athens. The visitor can reach, via the Athens-Corinth highway. When you reach the Isthmus of Corinth, follow the direction to the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus. After passing the forest of Sofikos, you reach the bridge to Epidavros, where you turn right following the signage to Porto Heli. In addition, there are frequent bus routes from Athens (210.51.34.588) and from Nafplio (27520.27.323). From the port of Piraeus (tel. 210.41.99.000), itineraries depart with the flying dolphins with intermediate stops to the islands of the Saronic Gulf, to Porto Heli (tel. Port Authority 27540.53.333).
Glances at the past
There are two possible versions of the origin of his name. First that Heli is a place name of the Albanian dialect, as there are many villages in the Peloponnese with this name. The other version is that it arose from a corruption of the name of the nearby ancient city Fishermen in Halies and finally in Heli. In both cases the prefix Porto, meaning port, was added later. The history of the place was also connected with the ancient city. Around 468 BC. Tiryns arrived in the area and on the site of an older settlement created the city of Fishermen, which had an important commercial port. The main occupation of the inhabitants was fishing, whence its name. The Fishermen had set up workshops to process purple (which was processed by secret recipes) and oil. A few years later they will become loyal allies of the Spartans. 425 to 424 BC the Athenians will occupy the area, establish a garrison and remain there until the end of the 5th century. Then they will return to their alliance with Sparta. Towards the end of the 4th century BC. they will mint their own currency, but in those years the decline will begin. Porto Heli or Porto Bizato according to the Venetians was used as a port by the sailors of Ermionida. In fact, in Venetian maps of the 18th c. is included in the six ports of the Peloponnese.
Events
The International Festival of Art and Culture: Launched in 1990 and currently collaborates with world-renowned organizations. Dozens of concerts, exhibitions, seminars and conferences take place every year between July and August as part of the festival. Also known is its Carnival, with chariot parades, carnival songs, dances and a lot of fun.
In Porto Heli every 2 years the "Nautical Week" is organized, with sailing, windsurfing, skiing and polo competitions. The events take place in July and close with the awarding of prizes to the winners of the games and a big reception.
Local events
The "Burning of Judas" is a custom that is still observed today in Porto Heli on Easter Sunday.
