The spectacular canal that was 2,500 years in the making

Dimitris Sideridis, CNN
7 minute read
Published 6:09 AM EST, Fri November 11, 2022
<strong>Architectural marvel: </strong>At the time of its construction, Corinth Canal in Greece was one of the most significant infrastructural feats the world had ever seen.
Architectural marvel: At the time of its construction, Corinth Canal in Greece was one of the most significant infrastructural feats the world had ever seen.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Significant route:</strong> Up to 12,000 commercial and tourist vessels travel through the Corinth Canal, which is currently closed while restoration work is carried out, every year.
Significant route: Up to 12,000 commercial and tourist vessels travel through the Corinth Canal, which is currently closed while restoration work is carried out, every year.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
Trip to the Peloponnese, Greece July 15-Aug 4, 2020.Photograph: Copyright Suzanne Plunkett 2020
Trip to the Peloponnese, Greece July 15-Aug 4, 2020.Photograph: Copyright Suzanne Plunkett 2020
Suzanne Plunkett/CNN
<strong>Tight squeeze:</strong> Due to the canal's narrow width, some ships have a very limited to space in which to operate, often with only a few inches to spare on either side. They're guided through the waterway by the canal's experienced pilots.
Tight squeeze: Due to the canal's narrow width, some ships have a very limited to space in which to operate, often with only a few inches to spare on either side. They're guided through the waterway by the canal's experienced pilots.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Long time coming: </strong>When the canal, now a popular tourist spot, opened in 1893, it fulfilled a vision that had been at least 2,500 years in the making.
Long time coming: When the canal, now a popular tourist spot, opened in 1893, it fulfilled a vision that had been at least 2,500 years in the making.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Tricky task:</strong> "It was a complex and challenging undertaking," George Zouglis, general manager at Corinth Canal SA, told CNN of the bisecting of the isthmus.
Tricky task: "It was a complex and challenging undertaking," George Zouglis, general manager at Corinth Canal SA, told CNN of the bisecting of the isthmus.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Historic project:</strong> One of the canal's first bitts (strong posts,) with the date 1898 and the initials E.D.K. (Corinth Canal Company) engraved, is still intact today.
Historic project: One of the canal's first bitts (strong posts,) with the date 1898 and the initials E.D.K. (Corinth Canal Company) engraved, is still intact today.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Vehicle crossings: </strong>A cargo ship, seen shortly after crossing the canal, is released from being towed by a tugboat.
Vehicle crossings: A cargo ship, seen shortly after crossing the canal, is released from being towed by a tugboat.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Significant engraving:</strong> An ancient relief of Roman emperor Nero, who broke ground on the ambitious project back in 67 CE, is carved into the rock lining.
Significant engraving: An ancient relief of Roman emperor Nero, who broke ground on the ambitious project back in 67 CE, is carved into the rock lining.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Special assistance:</strong> A canal pilot guides a ferry captain through the Corinth Canal.
Special assistance: A canal pilot guides a ferry captain through the Corinth Canal.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Strong operation: </strong>The control tower, which also houses the customer service department, along with the office of the navigators (or canal pilots).
Strong operation: The control tower, which also houses the customer service department, along with the office of the navigators (or canal pilots).
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Restoration operation: </strong>Sections of the canal's steep sides are currently undergoing repair and restoration works.
Restoration operation: Sections of the canal's steep sides are currently undergoing repair and restoration works.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Popular site</strong>: The structure is now the second most-visited tourist landmark in Greece, according to George Zouglis, attracting people from all over the world.
Popular site: The structure is now the second most-visited tourist landmark in Greece, according to George Zouglis, attracting people from all over the world.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Tidal waterway: </strong>The canal is usually open 24 hours a day, except between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays when maintenance work is carried out.
Tidal waterway: The canal is usually open 24 hours a day, except between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays when maintenance work is carried out.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
<strong>Record performance: </strong>According to the <a href="https://corinthcanal.com/2022/10/03/17119/?lang=en" target="_blank" target="_blank">Corinth Canal Company</a>, the canal managed to operate without interruption during the summer of 2022, recording its most successful performance in 20 years.
Record performance: According to the Corinth Canal Company, the canal managed to operate without interruption during the summer of 2022, recording its most successful performance in 20 years.
DimitrisSideridis/Corinth Canal SA
A tour of Greece's spectacular Corinth Canal (photos)

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CNN  — 

Under the blue skies of Greece, a giant vessel slowly makes its way through the rocky walls of a narrow, artificial waterway, with just a few inches to spare on either side, while those on board take in the engineering marvel in front of them.

The very first sailings through the Corinth Canal, one of the most significant infrastructural feats the world had ever seen, took place in 1893, fulfilling a vision that had been at least 2,500 years in the making.

The canal cut through the isthmus of Corinth in Greece, linking the Ionian Sea with the Aegean, effectively turning the Peloponnese peninsula into an island, and creating an international maritime hub that transformed navigation in southern Europe.

Crucially, it saved ships the nearly 321-kilometer (300 mile) journey around the plane tree leaf-shaped cape, allowing them to reach ports further east much faster and safer.

The hunt for the world's most elusive shipwrecks