Paralia combines a clear architectural connection with cultural topics that extend beyond the town: the Egglezika are a group of neoclassical villas, most of which are located in Paralia Patras. This distinction is useful for a trip with an interest in history. One aspect is the villas in the town, another the wider regional setting. This makes it possible to understand Paralia in terms of both the Egglezika and the area’s cultural themes.

Egglezika: Villas and History

The Egglezika quarter was established at the beginning of the 20th century. The Egglezika are villas built by the British in neoclassical and foreign architectural styles. Some of the once magnificent villas of the English still survive in the wider area. The period of origin applies to the quarter, while the style descriptions refer to the villas. Most of the villas are in Paralia; at the same time, Egglezika should be considered in its regional context.

In the wider region, the Egglezika were predominantly villas near the coast. They extended from Ities to lower Mintilogli. Thus, two scales sit side by side: most of the villas are associated with Paralia, while the historical context also extends beyond the town. This distinction is useful for orientation because Egglezika refers both to a group of villas and to a more broadly defined quarter.

Cultural Themes Across the Wider Area

The broader regional context is also reflected in the cultural events of an area encompassing the settlements of Paralia, Roitika, and Mintilogli. They are divided into three areas: “Our sea,” “Our roots,” and “Our land.” The English names indicate thematic perspectives on the sea, roots, and land; they complement the architectural focus of the Egglezika with a broader cultural theme. The event areas cover the settlements together. Architecture and the cultural program thus address different questions: what characterizes the villas, and how are the cultural themes of the wider area organized?

The “Our land” area includes an exhibition of agricultural machines and equipment used by residents before the mechanization of agriculture. Its theme draws attention to the tools of earlier times and the transformation of agriculture, rather than to villa architecture. This connects “Our land,” one of the three cultural themes, with a specific historical subject. If, alongside architectural history, you are also interested in the working life of earlier times, this focus offers a different perspective on the region.

Paralia as a Cultural Travel Destination

When looking for a holiday rental in Paralia, it helps to distinguish between the two aspects. If your main interest is architecture, the Egglezika provide a specific connection to the town: the group of villas, their styles, and the period in which they were built put the subject in context. If you would like to explore culture from a broader perspective, the three areas and the exhibition add regional themes to the focus. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore consider whether the connection to the town or a broader cultural context is more important for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Aígion, Platanos, Katarraktis, Mamousia, Dafni, Lofos, Psathópirgos, Petrochori

For the broader travel overview: Achaia.