PIRAEUS | History

In the prehistoric years Piraeus was an island, which was separated from the rest of Attica where Neo Phalero is today. Later this part of the sea received a lot of silt from various torrents of the area. At first a shallow zone was created, then a moor and finally a mudflat, which gradually expanded and connected with the rest of Attica.

The first indications of habitation date back to the prehistoric years and specifically to the Neolithic period. But the development of the area began during the 5th century BC, when the Athenians started using Mikrolimano (it was then called port of Mounichia). When Themistokles was in power, he fortified the city with huge walls, which he intended to extend as far as Athens. The project was completed by Kimon and parts of the Long Walls remain until today.

During the Hellenistic period the city was a fort of the Macedonian guard until 86BC when it was destroyed by the Roman general Syllas. Then Piraeus started declining. The Venetians, quite later, left the enormous stone lion at the entrance of the port and Piraeus was known as Porto Leone.

During the Turkish occupation Piraeus was almost deserted. Its growth began after 1850, when its port was used again and inhabitants of the near nautical islands (Hydra, Spetses, Syros etc.) settled here, creating corresponding quarters. But the largest stream of population was received by Piraeus in 1922 from the refugees of the Minor Asia coastal areas.

Today it is the third largest city of Greece after Athens and the biggest port of the country with plenty of activity.