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Port of Piraeus Greece

piraeusPiraeus, the port city of Athens is the largest port in the entire eastern Mediterranean. It lies on the Saronic Gulf, 8 km southwest of Athens. The Greek shipping industry is concentrated there.

Chemicals are manufactured in Piraeus, and the city also has engineering industries. Piraeus became the first port in the world, with shipyards, port and technical facilities, with warehouses, Courts, Carousel, Stadium, the famous Ark of Philon and magnificent mansions. Athens is taught worldwide as a center of spirit. 

History

In ancient times, Piraeus provoked the envy of the Spartans more than Athens itself, as the democratic ideas of Athens were supported by the Piraeus trade which was the main pole of money and feeder of the Athenian power.

But in order for the city of orators, politicians and philosophers to exist, Piraeus was behind it, in which sailors, shipbuilders, merchants, as well as bankers, were feverishly active. Behind every speech of a philosopher in the market of Athens resounded in Piraeus the chimney of the shipbuilder, the hammer of the carpenter. Their sound was the one that gave the rhythm of prosperity

Themistocles was responsible for selecting Piraeus as the port of Athens in the early 5th century BC. After the completion of the harbor, the fortifications connecting the port with Athens the Long Walls were erected.

After its destruction by Rome in 86 BC, Piraeus was a small fishing village for many centuries. Modern development began in 1833 when Athens became the capital of Greece.

 

The port of Piraeus

piraeus-portToday the port has been developed in a modern port especially after the Olympics. New passenger check in buildings, new entrance gates, cafeterias, cantinas and restaurants have been improved. All cargo ships has been transferred to Keratsini and Ikonio so the main port area is only for the passenger ships and Greek ferries sailing for the Greek islands. Looking back in history Piraeus has been the main Athenian port since antiquity. From here the ancient Greek ships where sailing to the Athenian colonies in South Italy ,Sicily and in other Greek colonies in the Mediterranean.

The port of Piraeus is extended to Keratsini, Ikonio and Perama for the cargo and container ships and further more to Skaramangas (Shipyard) Aspropyrgos (Tankers) and Elefsina (shipyards). In fact the cost line of the greater area of Piraeus port can be calculate in 30-40 kilometres about including the above docks, shipyards , anchorages and ports. Piraeus port unlike other ports is mainly the hart of Piraeus, around the port you will find all kind of shops, markets, restaurants, hotels but mainly shipping offices. Piraeus is the centre of the Greek shipping industry, most of the Greek shipping companies have here their offices, many Greek ship owners the last 20 years transfer their main offices from London to Piraeus.

From this port Themistocles send his ships to Salamis to defeat the Persian fleet. His statue can been seen at the small square in the junction of Akti Poseidonos with Vasileos Georgiou street and Akti Miaouli right opposite the Agia Trias church the Metropolis of Piraeus. A few meters near by at the small park you can see a piece of ship metal stub on a pine tree, a memoir from the bombarding of Piraeus during the war when a bomb hit a British ship that was carrying ammunition. The explosion was enormous and destroyed a lot of buildings along the port. 

Shopping in Piraeus

For shopping in Piraeus the main areas are in the main streets of Piraeus Vasileos Georgiou Avenue , Heroon Polytechneiou Avenue, Defteras Merarhias street , Akti miaouli and Poseidonos, Terpsithea and Passalimani. Around the Metro terminal and the parallel streets of Akti Poseidonos you will find any kind of shops. Many book shops are along Filonos street from the old post Office towards Vasileos Georgiou street.

 

Piraeus neighbourhoods

Piraeus is not only the port its self, one of the most famous areas of Piraeus is Pasalimani or Zea the marina of Piraeus, around the marina and the main port of Pasalimani there are many fashion shops, cafeterias, and restaurants. In Marina Zeas located the Naval museum and part of the Ancient walls of Piraeus. Taking the direction from Pasalimani towards Faliro is the area of Kastela and Mikrolimano  another marina with many fish taverns that serving excellent Greek food. To the other side of Pasalimani is the area of Piraiki, the best area to enjoy fresh fish in the numerous taverns with views to the Saronic gulf and the amazing sunsets. It is an unforgettable experience to enjoy an ouzo with grilled shrimps octopus from Piraiki while watching the sun setting over Salamina island and Aegina while the ships passing by on their way to the Greek islands. Another place to visit is the hill of Profitis Ilias, the hill is over Passalimani and from there you can have an amazing panorama of the whole Athens. ( see also our map of Piraeus )