Piraeus
{
By Amalia Lina
Information taken by :
www.piraeus-greece.org
en.wikipedia.org
www.unipi.gr

The growth of Piraeus, which became a municipality in 517 BC, is due to the
creativity and vision of two great statesmen, Pericles and Themistocles. At their
instance, important works were initiated and completed, amongst other the
construction and extension of the Long Walls, which protected both sides of the
road all the way from Piraeus to Athens.
As a result the "ancient" Piraeus flourished and became a port of high security with
a great commercial activity, and a city throbbing with life. So it was justifiably called
"Emporion of Greece". The Peloponnesian War, the Roman invasion, the destruction
by Syllas as well as the final invasion by the Goths (395 BC) led Piraeus to a
prolonged period of decline, which was to last for about 15 centuries. Due to historic
juncture Piraeus changed its name various times. In 1318 BC it became Porto Leone,
then Porto Drago and, finally, in 1456, Aslan Port (Lion's Port) of the Ottoman Turks.
Two milestones mark the modern history of Piraeus -1829 and 1835. In 1829 arrive in
Piraeus its first new settlers - five in number- while in 1835 the Municipality of
Piraeus is established and its first mayor is the Hydriot Kyriakos Serfiotis. During
the first four decades of the 20th century, the city continues its steady growth in all
sectors. The establishment of the Port Committee (1911) and the Port of Piraeus
Authority (1930) played a vital catalytic role in its development. However, Greece's
involvement in World War II came as a major setback to the city's progress.
During the first post-war years, in the beginning of 1950, war damages in both the
city and port were repaired and Piraeus started developing again.
The growth of Piraeus

.
Nowadays the port of Piraeus is one of the largest ports in Europe.
With about 19 million passengers annually, Piraeus occupies the
third place worldwide. It also occupies the 47th position at
international level in cargo traffic and the top position among all
Eastern Mediterranean ports.
The population of the demos (municipality of Piraeus) counts about
175,697 inhabitants, while the monarchy of Piraeus which includes
also the surrounding land and some of the islands of the Saronic
Gulf has a population of about 541,504 people.
Day by day the city of Piraeus changes its face, it is becoming more
dynamic.
It is becoming an important international port, open to challenges
and international competition.
Piraeus today

In this Marina some of the most impressive
yachts and cruise ships anchor. At the seafront
are restaurants, taverns , bars and shops,
catering to the needs of passengers. You will
find flying dolphins (hovercrafts) serving line
to Argosaronikos Gulf. In the ancient years it
was one of the main harbors for the warships of
Themistocles, with docks for 196 triremes. It
received its name in the 18th century, when it
was used as port of the Ottoman fleet.
The Zea Marina
(Pasalimani)
Some photos of
Pasalimani

The port was protected by the goddess
Mounihia Artemis. At present it is a popular
location, attracting people all over Attica. It is a
beautiful little harbor with fishing boats, small
boats and luxury yachts. If you like fish and
seafood have lunch at one of its famous
taverns.
Mikrolimano (in Greek
small port)
Some photos of
Mikrolimano

Apart from the juvenile clubs and bars that are
housed in the renovated neo-classic mansions
of fashionable Kastella, at the seaside road
between Pasalimani and Mikrolimano,one can
also find here “Votsalakia”(little pebbles), the
organised public beach of Piraeus,which offers
the opportunity of a swim in the calm waters of
the Saronic Gulf.
Piraeus
Seaside
The Munisipal
Theatre
It dominates one of the central
squares(Korai Square).It was built in
the 1880s in the neoclassical style by
architect I.Lazarimos.It is one of the
most frequented places, a meeting
place of residents of Piraeus.



Traditionally, Piraeus has played a major role in Greek sports. The city boasts the most popular
and one of the most prestigious Greek multisport clubs, Olympiacos CFP. The other major club
is Ethnikos Piraeus, with a long athletic tradition as well. In football, Olympiacos F.C. is the
most successful club in Greece, having won by far more titles than any other Greek football
club, and its ground is at the Karaiskakis Stadium, in Neo Faliro. Ethnikos Piraeus F.C. had a
long-year presence in Super League Greece and also used the Karaiskakis Stadium as home
ground, but in recent years the club has competed in lower divisions and currently plays home
matches at the Helleniko Stadium, in Ellinikon. Other football clubs in Greater Piraeus with
significant tradition are Ionikos of Nikaia and Proodeftiki of Korydallos.
In basketball, Olympiacos B.C. is the only major club from Piraeus, one of the most successful
at domestic and European level, and its home arena is the Peace and Friendship Stadium, while
the volleyball department of the same club, Olympiacos S.C., is the dominant domestically and
has made great success in European competitions as well. Piraeus rides really high in water
polo, where Ethnikos Piraeus and Olympiacos departments have entirely dominated in Greece;
the first is considered the "Emperor" of the sport and the latter is the only Greek water polo
club to have been crowned European Champion.
First class sporting facilities can be found in Piraeus. The Karaiskakis Stadium, built in 1885 as
a bicycle track, enlarged in 1964 and completely rebuilt in 2004, is the second largest football
venue in Greece with a capacity of 33,334 and one of the most modern in Europe. It hosted the
1971 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final and several games of the football tournament in the 2004
Summer Olympics, while it was used as a velodrome in the 1896 Summer Olympics. The Peace
and Friendship Stadium, part of the Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex and built in 1985
opposite to the Karaiskakis Stadium, is the second largest indoor arena in the country and one
of the most impressive around Europe, having hosted multiply major international events in
several sports, including the volleyball tournament in the 2004 Athens Olympics, the 1998 FIBA
World Championship, the EuroBasket 1987 and the Final Four of the Euroleague 1993.
Sports
Peace and
Friendship
Stadium
Karaiskakis
Stadium
The University of Piraeus was founded in 1938
under the title of the “School for Industrial Studies”,
by the Industrialists and Tradesmen Association.
 In 1945 it was renamed to “Higher School for
Industrial Studies” and its aim was defined to be the
systematic, theoretical and practical training of
managerial executives.
 In 1958, the “Higher School for Industrial Studies»
was again renamed to “Graduate School of
Industrial Studies”, with its headquarters in Piraeus.
Starting from 1966, the University operated in the
form of a public legal entity.
 In 1989, the “Graduate School of Industrial Studies”
was renamed to
University of Piraeus. Today, the following seven
Depart-ments are run by the University of Piraeus:
1. Economics
2. Business Administration
3. Statistics and Insurance Science
4. Financial Management and Banking
5. Industrial Management
6. Maritime Studies
7. Informatics
8. Technology Teachers Education (starting in 1999 –
2000)

The University of Piraeus
Other photos of the
University of Piraeus
Photos
Photos