Piraeus, Port settlement in Athens Metropolitan Area, Greece
Description
Piraeus is a port city in the Athens Metropolitan Area that stretches along a rocky bay with three natural harbors. The largest complex sits on the eastern edge and contains ferry terminals, container cranes, and long quay walls, while smaller bays with yachts and fishing boats lie to the west.
History
In the fifth century before Christ, Themistocles transformed the natural bay into a fortified military harbor with shipyards for Athenian triremes. The Long Walls connected the harbor to Athens and formed a protected corridor for troops and goods during wars against Sparta.
Culture
The name comes from ancient Greek Peiraiás, which refers to the rocky peninsula jutting into the bay. Today you see tavernas with blue chairs and fishing nets along the waterfront, keeping their traditional role between modern cargo terminals.
Practical
The green metro line runs from central Athens directly to the harbor and stops near the ferry terminals, where signs indicate different departure points. Visitors exploring on foot find calmer bays with waterfront promenades and small restaurants west of the main port, suitable for walking.
Did you know?
At the small harbor of Mikrolimano, fishermen dock their boats in the early morning and sell the catch directly on the quay. Visitors also see remains of old shipyard facilities from the nineteenth century, recalling the time when wooden sailing ships were repaired here.
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Piraeus Tower
328 m
Piraeus Municipal Theatre
31 m
Municipal Art Gallery of Piraeus
227 m
Holy Trinity Church
203 m
Church of St Paul in Piraeus
310 m
Kolokotronis statue in Piraeus
100 mNational Resistance Monument, Piraeus
230 m
Bust of Andreas Miaoulis
278 m
Saint Spyridon church
240 m
Adamantios Korais bust
88 mSeagoing Youth (statue)
223 m
Eleftherios Venizelos statue
111 m
Bust of Katina Paxinou, Piraeus
23 m
Saint Constantine
120 m
Menelaos Pallantios (bust)
157 m
Bust of Chrysostomos A' Tavladorakis
224 m
Konstantinos XI Dragatsis Palaiologos statue
228 m
Megaron NAT
273 m
Building
213 m
Museum of Mercantile Marine
142 m
Bust of Aimilios Veakis, Piraeus
28 m
Pavilion
94 mΝικηφόρος Βρεττάκος
182 mStatue, Work of art
221 mWork of art, statue
252 mGraffiti, Work of art
251 mStatue, Work of art
228 mWork of art
205 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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