Piraeus, now part of the Athens conurbation, is Greece's largest port and a major factor in the country's economy. From here ships sail to ports all over Europe and the Near East, and this is also the starting point of most domestic shipping routes, including services to the numerous islands which now
attract so many visitors.
Piraeus was developed by Themistokles from 482 B.C. onwards as a commercial harbor and naval base for Athens. It was connected with Athens by the "Long Walls" and laid out in the time of Perikles on a regular street pattern in accordance with the system evolved by Hippodamos of Miletus. The town was destroyed by Sulla in 86 B.C. and thereafter was a place of no importance. In the Middle Ages it was known as Porto Leone, after an ancient marble figure of a lion which stood at the entrance to the harbor but was removed to Venice in 1682 and now stands outside the Arsenal there.
Piraeus recovered its importance after the liberation of Greece in the 19th century, when the modern town was laid out on a regular plan as the ancient one had been.
In addition to the principal harbor of Kantharos the two smaller ancient harbors on the east side of the town - Bassalimáni (the ancient Zea) and Mikrolímano, formerly called Turkolímano (the ancient Mounychia) - are still in use.
New port installations to relieve the pressure on Piraeus are being developed in Pháliron Bay, site of the earliest harbor of Athens before the foundation of Piraeus.
The most characteristic parts of the modern town, which combines the atmosphere of a large port with the amenities of a city, are around the principal harbor, in Korais Square on the higher ground between that harbor and Mikrolímano with its numerous tavernas.
Piraeus is situated to the South West of Athens city centre and is accessible by Metro and buses.
Print this page
Add to Favorites
