Piraeus is one of the most important and densely inhabited cities in Greece. In a short distance from the country’s capital city, Athens, the city of Piraeus has been famous since classical times due to its strategic position and its port, which is the largest Greek port. Cultural interaction, a historical background, and significant location are factors that shape the identity of this fascinating area.
This museum is the most representative sample of the rich history of Piraeus. It is located in a two-floor building and its exhibits, which comprise donations and excavation findings, are hosted in ten different rooms according to the chronological period that they belong to. The findings date back to the 8th century B.C., and extend to the whole evolution of the Greek civilization from the Mycenaean and the Minoan civilization to the Classical and the Hellenistic years.
Located in Freatida, one of the most elegant areas in Piraeus, the Naval Museum is a vital element of the city that is financially and culturally based on the marine element and the naval tradition. The museum hosts a wide range of material reflections of the Greek naval philosophy and history through the ages, for more than 40 years. Wandering around its numerous halls, you will admire important sea paintings and get access to rich archives of photographs, maps, calendars and flags, relating to the naval but also the political history of the city of Piraeus.
The Electric Railway Museum of Piraeus was established in November 2005 and nowadays hosts more than 2000 objects, as well as more than 3000 books and photographs that compose the basis for a planned library. The creation of this museum was the dream of Manolis Fotinopoulos, a worker of the Railway, decades ago. His love and care for his job and the railway let him finally gather a large collection of objects, find a suitable location and realize his dream.
With the establishment of the Greek state after the 1821 revolution against the Turkish occupation, various Greek counties and villages started getting abandoned by their inhabitants who, attracted by the industrial development, gathered in the large urban centers seeking jobs and social advancement. It was then that some residents of Mani (northern Greece) chose to move to Piraeus, due to the port and its industrial and commercial growth. Piraeus soon became the place of conflict between groups of people who moved there, mainly between Maniates (former inhabitants of Mani) and Cretans, in part because of the special temperament of those groups (e.g. the famous vendetta has been an element of both local mindsets), as well as from economic conflicts. Of course all that belongs to the past, but visiting Maniatika (the area of Maniates in Piraeus) is a unique cultural experience, as the area remains an authentic place, where tradition, architecture, art and interpersonal relations have remained unaltered by modernization, tourism or other factors.
Pasalimani is the most cosmopolitan part of Piraeus and a unique place for entertainment and relaxation with a number of cafeterias, ouzo places, bars and restaurants. The most famous landmark of Pasalimani is its picturesque Stone Clock, which used to be the usual meeting point of the locals. Enjoy a coffee on the square, have a meal with a great view of Kastella or just have a peaceful walk by the sea; Pasalimani offers all that and more.
Piraeus is deeply connected with the element of sports, as it is home to the greatest Greek sports club, Olympiakos, with a successful history of about a century. Karaiskaki stadium, renovated some years ago, is named after Georgios Karaiskakis, a legendary fighter of the Greek 1821 Revolution. It is a great sample of modern architecture and is the place where legendary football games take place every year. If you come by, especially during an ‘eternal derby’ (a match versus Panathinaikos, the eternal rival of Olympiakos and the second best football team in Greece) or a Champions League match, you’ll be thrilled by the unforgettable atmosphere created by Olympiakos’ ultras, who have been recognized as one of the best ultras groups in the world.
Peace and Friendship stadium, just some minutes away from Karaiskaki stadium, is home to the basketball team of Olympiakos. Olympiakos B.C. is one of the most successful basketball teams on a European level, having won three European cups and participated in almost all Final Fours during the last years. Visit SEF (as Peace and Friendship stadium is known in Greek), to enjoy basketball of amazing quality, performed by the skilful and globally famous players of Olympiakos B.C., as well as experience a pure sportive atmosphere, created by the friends of Olympiakos.
