Vrachakia (Small Rocks) of Piraiki
East of the main port of Piraeus, overlooking the sea, lies one of its most famous and lively areas, which is the favorite recreational area of Piraeus residents and visitors. The Piraeus peninsula consists mainly of a porous limestone rock, in ochre color, which is easy to carve and “soft”. It is the famous actite stone that the ancient Athenians took from here and which was particularly easy to work. It is a type of limestone and more specifically margaite limestone.
The ancient wall of Piraeus was built with this stone, as well as many other works of antiquity. Today, the coastal road that connects Piraiki to Freattida is called Themistokleous Coast, in honor of the great politician and general who fortified Piraeus in the 5th century BC and defeated the Persians at Salamis. However, the ruins of the ancient walls along the coast are among the walls built a century later by Conon to protect the port from the sea side.
East of the main port of Piraeus, overlooking the sea, lies one of its most famous and lively areas, which is the favorite recreational area of Piraeus residents and visitors. The Piraeus peninsula consists mainly of a porous limestone rock, in ochre color, which is easy to carve and “soft”. It is the famous actite stone that the ancient Athenians took from here and which was particularly easy to work. It is a type of limestone and more specifically margaite limestone. The ancient wall of Piraeus was built with this stone, as well as many other works of antiquity. Today, the coastal road t…
