Museums for the Maritime Tradition of the City of ...

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"Where am I, on an island?" You re not the first, nor the last to have asked this question, whether out loud or in your mind! In 2022, Mikrolimano underwent a transformation and, under the mayorship of Giannis Moralis, it emerged as an even more beloved spot for leisure and strolls. A true seaside oasis!

The views it offers from above are truly impressive. And you 'll definitely need a lot of video minutes to capture the most cosmopolitan, bustling, and beloved area of the Piraeus residents: Passalimani. The scenes are countless: jetties where everything from boats to luxurious yachts are tied. Cafes and restaurants overlooking the boats and the sea. Palm trees, the iconic Clock, Kanari Square, Zea Marina with the Naval Museum, Alexandra Square. And the ever-present sun, casting reflections on the sea. An endless promenade by the water, with a wide, safe sidewalk for families and benches for relaxation or coffee on the go. Often, the Municipality organizes exhibitions - such as books, flowers, Greek cuisine, and more.

Follow us to discover the famous neighborhood of Kastella and Prophet Elias Hill with the Veakeio Theater. We know all the secrets and will provide you with detailed directions to navigate through the labyrinth of alleys and stairs, admire the neoclassical buildings, and find panoramic viewpoints along the coastline of Piraeus and the Athens Riviera.

Still warm from the sun, the rocks of Piraeus, with the Aphrodite Cove where the Cross stands and the "island-style" chapel of Saint Nicholas, invite you to take a break. As do the seafood flavors in the restaurants and taverns along the coast. As for swimming, you don't need to go far: Freattyda Beach, with its organized beachfront, is a small summer paradise within the city. You 'll feel refreshed and await... And there, the sun sets in the west, revealing a palette of colors that is hard to describe in words.

The collections of this museum will offer you a representative image of the city's history, which experienced a great heyday in antiquity, serving as a major trading center in the Eastern Mediterranean and a naval base of ancient Athens. The three- story museum was designed in 1960 and inaugurated in 1966.

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The maritime history and tradition, from prehistoric times to the present day, come to life in this outstanding museum in Piraeus. The inauguration of the Hellenic Maritime Museum in the Zea Marina building took place in 1969. The exhibition areas cover an impressive 1,700 square meters, showcasing more than 2,500 items organized chronologically and thematically.

Who would have thought that amidst abandoned factories and warehouses in one of the most developed industrial zones of the 19th and 20th centuries, modern art would find its place in the 21st century? But it happened! The areas near the port and Akti Kondyli started becoming an exciting cultural destination. Galleries and multipurpose venues (where original events are organized) are concentrated in the area of Agios Dionysios and Papastratiou - mainly on Poludeukous, Kastoros, Mesologgiou, and Gravia streets.

Have you disembarked from your cruise ship, or are you getting ready to set sail tomorrow and want to get to know Piraeus? Did you come for a vacation in Athens and want to see its port? Or perhaps you're staying in Attica and have the desire to explore Piraeus, where you usually come for entertainment?

History

Themistocles' vision for the development of Athens as a naval power through Piraeus with its three natural harbors, which were fortified, also included the development of the commercial port: the Cantharus (or Megistos according to Pausanias), which is today's central port of the city. Its total area in antiquity was larger than today. The ends of the seawalls terminated at the two shores (Cape and Eetioneia) with strong towers that held chains (clamps) to close and prevent enemy surprises.

In the Roman period, Piraeus and Athens were separated. During these years, Piraeus not only declined but also, due to Athens' alliance with Mithridates and after a prolonged siege, in 86 BC, the Romans, led by Sulla, destroyed the city and set it on fire along with the shipyards and warehouses. The few inhabitants who remained lived near the port and the temple of Savior Zeus.

From the 19th century to the present day, the history of the port is so rich in events and significant for the commerce and industry of Greece that it is difficult to summarize in a few lines. Let's choose the following: When did the interest in the harbor begin in the 19th century? In 1834, with the transfer of the capital to Athens from Nafplio, the newly formed state turned its attention to the development of the port. The Chians from Syros came - wealthy families who would become the emerging commercial and industrial bourgeoisie of Piraeus - and the Hydriots.

Gastronomy

The city-port of Piraeus is synonymous with travel, diverse cultures, and diversity. The taste as an expression of culture can transport us to the diverse past of this city, to the traditions and the diversity of the people who have lived here: The Piraeus locals from all social classes, the people who came from the islands, the refugees from Asia Minor, foreigners, and recently, the chefs who have chosen Piraeus in recent years to combine traditional recipes with international cuisine in menus that impress with their creativity and daring.

The gastronomic identity of the city has "seals" that connect the past with the present and, for many, evoke nostalgia for authentic flavors and a pure past. Let's get a taste of Piraeus!

Piraeus in Cinema

Dramatic and comedic movies from the 1950s and 1960s that left their mark on Greek cinema include scenes shot in the port of Piraeus, Pasalimani, and Kastella. Or, for the sake of the plot, they recreate the neighborhood of Troumba in a studio, as was done in "Lola" and "Red Lanterns".

The most famous and important film of all is, of course, "Never on Sunday" written and directed by Jules Dassin. Melina Mercouri, as Ilya, sang (and even in front of a photo of the Olympiacos team!) the famous "Children of Piraeus" by Manos Hatzidakis, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in April 1961, although the composer refused to accept it. No other Greek film song has been able to surpass it in international success, and it is the one with the most cover versions worldwide. Melina won the Best Actress award at Cannes. Dassin's bilingual film is a hymn to the Piraeus of the era, passing in front of the camera. The carriages, the port, the cafes, the rebetika nightclubs, the ships of the 5th fleet - they all depict a cheerful and idealized Piraeus with people who didn't hesitate to dance the famous syrtaki at any moment! An unforgettable advertisement for the city (and Olympiacos, as Melina wears the number 4 jersey in another scene) that made history.