Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PIRAEUS
Renowned for seedy portside cafés, Piraeus is the gateway from Athens to
the islands. Abandoned after a glorious ancient birth, it was only redeve-
loped in 1834. Islanders from Chios, Hydra and Syros set up the first factor-
ies, joined by an influx of refugees from Asia Minor in 1922. It soon became
the country's main industrial centre, and is now the third-largest Mediter-
ranean port. It underwent a huge makeover for the 2004 Olympics, when gi-
ant cruisers served as floating hotels to boost the city's accommodation.
1. PASALIMANI
This large circular bay, with a bottleneck channel opening out to the sea, is sur-
rounded by imposing eight-storey modern apartment blocks. Inaugurated as Athens'
main naval base in the 5th century BC, the ancient harbour of Zea could accommod-
ate 196 triremes (for further details see Athenian Trireme ). Today, up to 400 of the
most impressive motor yachts in Greece moor here. It takes about 20 minutes to
walk the perimeter of the bay, along a tree-lined promenade overlooked by open-air
cafés.
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2. HELLENIC MARITIME MUSEUM
Housed in a 1960s building by the harbour, this exhibition opens with a map of Odys-
seus's voyage across the Mediterranean. It then traces the history of Greek naval
trading, with models of ships ranging from the 5th-century BC trireme to modern
tankers (Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world). Naval warfare is covered
by massive oil paintings of historic sea battles against the Turks, plus flags captured
from them. Akti Themistokleous, Freatida • 210 428 6959 • 9am-2pm Tue-Sat,
9am-1:30pm Sun • Adm
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