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At some time during the reign of Emperor NeroThis article deals with the Roman emperor Nero. For other meanings, see Nero (disambiguation . Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ( December 15, 37 AD June 9, 68 AD), born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus was the fifth and last Roman Emperor of the Julio, Saint AndrewSaint Andrew (Greek, Andreas "manly"), the Christian Apostle, brother of Saint Peter, was born at Bethsaida on the Lake of Galilee. He had been a disciple of John the Baptist ( John 1:37-40) and was one of the first to follow Jesus. He lived at Capernaum came to Patras to preach Christianity. Here he met a martyr?s death by crucifixion. From then on he was considered the protector of Patras and nowadays there is a magnificent big church, built in his honor, on the exact place of his crucifixion.

During the Byzantine period Patras continued to be an important port as well as an industrial center. Patras was invaded by the Turks in 1460. The first period of Turkish rule ( 1460 - 1687) was a miserable one but from 1715 and on there was a revival of trade and so in the 18th century it became a prosperous town again economically based on agriculture and trade. Later Patras played an active part in the Independence struggle against Turks (1821).

The town nowadays is divided into the Upper and Lower part with broad flights of steps, as well as streets, giving access between the two levels. The upper part is the older and more picturesque but the lower part is attractively laid out with plenty of squares notably the square of Psila Alonia and Georgiou I square. There are a lot of neoclassical buildings left like the theatre ?Apollon? in Georgiou I square, the Town Hall, the headquarters of the Local Trade Association, the Justice Court and a lot of other buildings.

The most interesting ancient monument in Patras is the Roman Odeon, now reconstructed and used as an open-air theatre for performances and concerts during the summer period. Overlooking the whole town is a ruined Castle, a relic of the Venetian invasion of the town ( 1687- 1715). In current times, its interior is laid out as a public garden.

Patras is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. It offers its resident a lot of facilities such as shopping centers, picturesque cafes, pubs, discos, restaurants as well as educational and cultural facilities such as schools, colleges, a university, a library, two theatres and some galleries and cinemas. There are two hospitals.

One of the biggest tourist attractions of Patras, is the carnival festival, held every year in February-March. It is one of the most famous in the world coming just after Rio de Janeiro and Venice.

A new beltway with a furthest radius of nearly 10 km was first opened in 2002 to decrease traffic in the city. Its length is around 20 km.

There are around 10 local radio stations and 4 television stations, 1 regional and 3 local. The main newspapers are the Peloponnesou and Patris .

Patras' industrial area is 20 km south of downtown, and is located between the 16th km of GR-9 and Fares /Phares (pro. FAH-rehs).

The length of rail is around 12 km. A train station is lying west of downtown between the port and Othonos-Amalias Avenue. A little north is a freight yard with about ten tracks. Its length is around 400 m. It is situated near the park and Athinon Street.

Patras' nearest amusement park is small and is founded next to Glaukos river, and a campground. Much of Patras' coastline has streets running near it. It includes Akte Dymaion in the south , and Iroon Polytechneiou in the north. Half of the shores are not used as beaches.

A laikê (market) most weekends is situated SE of downtown, near Psila Alonia square (plateía).