Loutraki is a seaside resort on the Gulf of Corinth, in Corinthia, Greece. It is located 81 km west of Athens and 8 km northeast of Corinth. Loutraki is the seat of the municipality Loutraki-Perachora-Agioi Theodoroi. The town is known for its vast natural springs and its therapeutic spas. There are many tourists who visit Loutraki every year (especially in summer) because of its crystal clear sea. The Casino of Loutraki has thousands of visitors every day. The population in 2011 was 11,654 people.

History

In antiquity a town called Thermae (, hot springs) existed on the site. In 1847, an announcement in Italy asserting the therapeutic benefits of bathing in the natural thermal spas found in Loutraki caused an influx of settlers in the surrounding areas, thereby creating modern Loutraki. In 1928, Loutraki was completely destroyed by an earthquake, and rebuilt. A large park was created by claiming land from the sea, using the rubble of the fallen houses. Another strong earthquake hit the area in 1981 but with less destructive effects.

Name

The name Loutraki is a direct reference to the thermal spas of the region. It derives from the Loutro(n) that means bath, bath-house, spa or thermae. The Greek word loutro is directly translated as thermae in English, which was also the ancient name of the region.

Geography

The town is bordered by the Gulf of Corinth in the west, while the mountain range of Geraneia dominates north and east. There is a small valley in the southwest that leads to the Isthmus of Corinth. Although part of Corinthia Prefecture, Loutraki is situated northwest of the Corinth Canal thus not on the Peloponnese.

Sightseeing

A monastery named Osios Patapios is located about 10 km NW of Loutraki on Geraneia mountain, offering great view of the Isthmos area and the Gulf of Corinth. Loutraki is well known for its Casino (Club Hotel Casino Loutraki), one of the biggest in Europe. The [Heraion of Perachora](https://bliptext.com/articles/heraion-of-perachora) (sanctuary of the goddess Hera) is an archaeological site of great significance located at the end of the Perachora peninsula and for the Vouliagmeni lake. Visitors and tourists can visit several buildings of Loutraki.

Nearest places

Historical population

Notable people

Twin towns — sister cities

Loutraki is twinned with Cēsis, Latvia.