PORTO LEONE
Piraeus
was known in medieval times as Porto Leone, a name due to the enormous
stone lion, which guarded the port's entrance. Piraeus is the main port of
Athens, the biggest in Greece and one of the most important in the
Mediterranean Sea. Today, the life of Piraeus is centred on its three
ports: the main, central one and those of Zea and Mikrolimano. Piraeus is
the most important shipping, industrial and transport centre of the
country.
You
can walk around the central harbour, shared by cargo and passenger ships
alike, and watch the constant comings and goings of goods and people from
around the world. Then, continue your walk to Kastella, a hill full of
beautiful houses, with a great view of the Saronic Gulf and visit the
city's archaeological Museum. In Mikrolimano you can treat yourselves to
ouzo accompanied by seafood mezedes, in one of its many tavernas and
restaurants. People from all over Attica come here for a meal of fresh
fish. In the afternoon, a stroll around the yachts and sailing boats
moored in the marina Zeas, can prove to be very beneficial to the weary
traveller. If the night finds you in the area, you can try one of the many
bars found nearby. The pace of life in Piraeus is set by the sea, which
seems to encompass the whole city. Actually it once did, as Piraeus was an
island in ancient times. Travellers were then ferried from the mainland to
the island (the verb in Greek being: die-perae-ounto) and this is probably
how its name came to be Piraeus.
THE HISTORY OF PIRAEUS
Themistokles
was the first to realize the importance of Piraeus to the city of Athens
and turn it into the city's main port, instead of the Gulf of Faliro,
which was used by the Athenians until the 5th century B.C. Wanting Athens
to have a fortified port he built the wall of Piraeus, the construction of
which took from 493 to 479 B.C. Later Perikles completed the fortification
by building the Makra Teiche (the Long Walls), which protected both sides
of the road all the way from Piraeus to Athens.
THE KEYS TO PIRAEUS
THE
MAIN HARBOUR
Its
ancient name was Kantharos and nowadays it is the centre of the city's
life. This is where you will get a ferry to all of the Aegean islands
(with the exception of the ones belonging to the Sporades) and Crete.
ZEA
Zea's
marina is the place where some of the most impressive yachts and cruisers
in Greece are moored. The coastline is full of restaurants, tavernas, bars
and shops catering for the needs of yachtsmen. This is also where you will
find the Flying Dolphins (hovercrafts) if you want to go to the Saronic
Gulf islands.
MIKROLIMANO
This
port, once protected by the goddess Mounichia Artemis is today a popular
hangout for tourists. It is a lovely little harbour full of fishing boats,
small vessels and some very beautiful yachts. If you like fish and
seafood, try one of its famous tavernas.
KASTELLA
Built
on a hill, which is also known as Prophetis Elias, Kastella is Piraeus'
most fashionable neighbourhood. If you walk towards the top of the hill
you will find yourselves in narrow streets surrounded by picturesque
houses. The view of the central harbour, Zea and Mikrolimano, from here is
unique.
