Patras Carnival returns after three years [PHOTOS]

Nafplio, Athens, Rethymno and Xanthi did not hold back with open festivities either

The biggest carnival parade in Greece took place on Sunday, 26 February. Photo: Marilia Vasilakopoulou/EUROKINISSI

27 February 2023 4:18pm

The city of Patras moved in high energy carnival rhythms for the entire weekend after three years of covid-induced restrictions. This is the only genuine carnivale in Greece, that harks back to Patras’ Venetian past.

Τhousands of locals and visitors delved into the carnival and its events that concluded on Sunday with the two major parades and the closing ceremony.

The first major parade took place on Saturday at 6pm with the participation of the crew members of the 139 vehicles that participated and the second parade, with the vehicles of the carnival that were constructed by the artists of the Carnival’s workshop of the municipality of Patras, took off on Sunday after 2pm with celebrations going well into the early morning hours of Monday.

Nafplio held the second biggest parade this Apokries in Greece. Photo: Vasilis Papadopoulos/EUROKINISSI

Nafplio saw thousands of carnival goers flood the streets. Photo: Vasilis Papadopoulos/EUROKINISSI

Greek carnival goers in Nafplio. Photo: Vasilis Papadopoulos/EUROKINISSI

Thousands of revellers from around Greece, partied from February 25 to 26 with a huge fireworks display on the Aghios Nikolaos Quay, according to AMNA.

Meanwhile, Amfikleia in central Greece broke a Guinness World Record roasting the longest kontosouvli ever at 130 metres.

The giant spit managed to hold and cook 800 kilograms of meat, mutton and pork, were used over an open charcoal fire pit from morning until the afternoon when it was cut and served to locals and tourists attending the Apokries celebration.

Nafplio held the second biggest parade this Apokries with Athens, Kozani, Skyros island and Rethymno also hosting big carnival events and impressive parades over the weekend.