HISTORY OF PIRAEUS

In the beginning Piraeus was a islet, hence its name, "peraio" in ancient Greek means ferry across, so "peraiefs" was the the one ferrying across.

With time this was changed, since the void between land and Piraeus was covered by siltation and became a swamp and later on stretch of muddy land, in about the same period that the keen Themistocles foresaw its strategic importance, turn the attention of the Athenians to Piraeus and provided its fortification.

In 461 BC, Kimon began building the Long Walls that connected Piraeus with Athens, constructing the Northern or Faliriko Wall. With the Southern or Middle, Pericles completed the Walls, which were destroyed later on by the Romans. The big Attica port found its peak in the modern times of Greece, when in 1835, after the liberation from the Turks; the Municipality of Piraeus was created and was included in the program of constructing public buildings.

The industrial development of the area came during the decade of 1860-1870, while the railroad connection between Piraeus and Athens and the construction of the Corinth canal in 1839 that put Piraeus in the epicenter of the economical activity and distinguished it at the end of 19th century as the most important maritime center of the area, with 50,000 inhabitants. When later on the exchange of populations happened after the destruction of Smyrna, almost 100,000 people were settled here.

Piraeus was no longer the "Porte Leone", the fishing port of medieval times.

HOW TO GET THERE

BY ATHENS METRO: 1 (Green Line), Station "Piraeus"

BY BUS: 218, 232, 300, 703, 420, 800, 814, 824, 825, 826, 832, 833, 843, 859, 871, 872, 875, 904, 906, 909, 915, E90, X96

TROLLEY: 17, 20

• Official Site of the Municipality of Piraeus

Shopping

COMICON
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TUBE
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ART BOOKSTORE KOAN
Art book store with many aesthetic choices from the areas of cinematography, photography, painting and a whole lot more. ... more
TRANTA
Hand made leather goods of Greek origin like, high quality / exclusive handbags and belts, are sold here. ... more

Nightlife

ANAMNISIS LIVE
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AN CLUB
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O KAVVOURAS
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