The tyrant of Korinthos Periandros at 6th century B.C. had studied the possibility of connection of the Saronikos gulf with the Corinth one but it was rejected due to the level difference and possibly flood consequences at the Athens coast. After that Periandros constructed a special passage paved with limestone plinths from Saronikos and Corinthian ports. Ships were put onto special vehicles and pulled via land on the 5 m wide passage up to the opposite gulf. (Mainly used for the warships due to a quite high expense). This passage was used up to 1st century A.D. when Neronas in 67 A.D. decided to open the canal using 6000 Jewish slaves, but the works were not completed due to his assassination. Later on, Herodes from Athens tried to complete the previous construction but nothing happened. In 1881 the Hungarian businessman Istvan Turr tried to finish the aqueduct but again the works stop due to bankruptcy. The attempt was continued later on by a Greek firm and participation of Andreas Siggros. Finally the aqueduct was completed in 1893 after 11 years of works. In 1944 it was shut again by the Germans and then in 1948 was re-opened and ready for use. Nowadays it serves 3000 cars daily and 9000 ships annually.

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