Kastella - Peiraiki

Municipal Theater Square, Deligianni Square, Kastella, Mikrolimano, Bay of Zea, Peiraiki, Freatida, Terpsithea Square, Municipal Theater Square

A beautiful hiking route that starts from the central Municipal Theater Square of Piraeus, crosses the charming Kastella, passes through the historical harbors of Mounichia and Zea, and ends back in the center after passing through a modern neighborhood of Piraeus, Saint Vasilios. The route passes through historic places, the epicenter of Piraeus’ entertainment activities, and its most popular spots. There are many significant landmarks, archaeological sites, shops, as well as dining, coffee, nightlife establishments, marinas, etc. The route includes several stairs and uphill sections, making it unsuitable for people with disabilities.

The route includes the following landmarks, the sequence of which also indicates the direction of the journey:

Note: The traveler’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.

Main Landmarks:

• Municipal Theater Square
• Deligianni Square
• Veakeio Municipal Theater
• Microlimano
• Votsalakia Beach
• Genocide Memorial
• Zea Marina
• Kanari Square
• Naval Museum of Greece
• Freatida Beach
• Peiraiki rocks
• Archaeological Museum of Piraeus
• Hellenistic Theater of Zea
• Terpsithea Square
• Municipal Theater Square

The route starts from Korai Square, more broadly known as Municipal Theater Square, where there is a metro station of the same name. We find ourselves in the heart of Piraeus. All the hustle and bustle of the city’s commercial life radiates from the square and extends to the central port on one side and the Zea Harbor (or Pasalimani) on the other. Here, we will also see the bust of Adamantios Korais. On the opposite pedestrian street, the equestrian statue of Kolokotronis, a hero of 1821, stands out. Across from the square, the imposing Municipal Theater rises, the jewel of Piraeus, whose renovation was completed in 2013.

Continuing our journey to Deligianni Square, we admire the exceptional traditional building of the “Plires Dimotiko Scholio Arrenon” (Complete Boys’ Complete Primary School), constructed in 1897, and ascend towards Veakeio Municipal Theater. As the path approaches the peak of Kastella Hill (Profitis Ilias grove), it offers an outstanding view of the basin while being slightly strenuous due to several stairs and uphill sections, though not presenting any significant challenges. Next to the Profitis Ilias grove, the ruins of the Asclepius of Piraeus are located. Veakeio Municipal Theater is situated at the top of Kastella Hill, offering a magnificent view to the sea. It is a summer theater with a capacity of 2,000 spectators, designed in the form of an ancient theater. The theater was constructed in 1969 under the mayoralty of Aristides Skylitsis and was initially called Skylitseio. In 1976, it was renamed Veakeio in honor of the great Piraeus actor Emilio Veakis.

Descending, we reach Microlimano, a name given from 1967 onwards. It is the ancient harbor of Mounichia, known as Fanari in Byzantine times, possibly due to the existence of a lighthouse or lantern at its entrance. During the Greek War of Independence in 1821 and afterwards, it was referred to as Tourkolimano, while in more recent times, it was called Koumoundourou’s Harbor because the mansion of Koumoundourou stood at its southern end. After the demolition of the mansion, the Nautical Club of Greece was erected. Microlimano is the culmination of Kastella Hill and serves as a harbor between Pasalimani and Neo Faliro. It has two main roads, Koumoundourou Coast and Delaveri Coast. Today, it is a tourist destination with numerous cafes, bars, restaurants, and nightlife establishments. Here, you will also find the Delphynario, a classic summer theater.

Continuing our walk, we find Votsalakia Beach, one of the favorite beaches of Piraeus residents with numerous sports facilities. Votsalakia is one of the best choices for those who do not want to stray far from the city. At the beginning of Koumoundourou Coast, in Alexandra Square, we come across the Genocide Memorial, dedicated to the genocide of the Greeks of Pontus. Created by artist Panagiotis Tanimanidis in 2017, it consists of a three-dimensional sculpture measuring 15.50 meters in length and 7.10 meters in height. Constructed from stainless steel with details in brass, the interior of the artwork is adorned with 17 sculptural compositions depicting successive images of the residents fleeing from Pontus and their arrival in Greece.

Next, we reach Pasalimani or Zea and Kanari Square, also known as Pasalimani Square. This area used to be called Pasarela by the locals before it became a pedestrian street. Today, it hosts the city’s most famous hangouts. In Kanari Square, on a small elliptical green island known as the “egg” due to its shape, the stone pedestal clock is situated. This clock, built in 1940, was and still is a meeting point for the people of Piraeus and was known as the clock in Pasalimani.

Zea Marina is the second-largest port in Piraeus with a circular shape. In antiquity, it was the largest naval port in Athens, among the three: Zea, Munichia, and Cantharus (today’s central port). The ancient Athenians also referred to this port as “Zea,” as confirmed by an inscription found at its harbor.

Continuing our journey, we arrive at Freattida, on Themistokleous Avenue, where the Naval Museum of Greece is located. This museum is the largest of its kind in Greece, covering the maritime history from ancient times to the present day. Established by the “Society for the Naval Museum and Collection of Naval Antiquities of the Nation’s Sea Struggles,” it has been housed in a neoclassical building in the Zea Marina since 1959. The museum displays Greek naval history in ten consecutive halls, starting from ancient shipbuilding and progressing to the actions of the Greek navy in modern history. It also presents the multifaceted role of Greeks in maritime trade. The museum boasts an impressive archive, a rich photographic collection, and a significant library with rare book editions and nautical charts. In the square of the Naval Museum is also the famous submarine Papanikolis, for its action in the Second World War, that is why it was called Papanikoli square.

Continuing towards the rocks of Peiraiki, you’ll discover the charm and authenticity of this area. Peiraiki is the southwestern coastal neighborhood of Piraeus, with its ancient Long Walls protecting the main settlement of Athens and its port. It borders to the north with Gallipoli, to the east with Agios Vasilios, to the west and south it is washed by the Saronic Gulf, creating the “Peiraiki coast on the Themistokleous Coast”. In addition to the ancient walls that surround Peiraiki, just next to it is the School of Naval Cadets, an excellent building of 1901, and the tomb of Themistocles. Although the antiquities of the area have not been used as they should, it remains a charming and authentic place, where we can take an idyllic walk, eat in traditional seaside taverns and enjoy a wonderful sunset.

Then through Zanni Street we walk to the beautiful modern urban district of Agios Vassiliou and proceed towards the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, as well as the Hellenistic theater located, essentially in its forecourt. The museum is housed in a two-story building and has a total area of 1,394 sq.m. It offers the visitor a representative and complete picture of the history of the city, which during antiquity experienced great prosperity, both as the port of Athens and as its naval station. Its exhibits come mainly from the wider area of Piraeus and the Attic beach, and the time limits they cover extend from the Mycenaean to the Roman era. In direct contact with the Museum we will find the Hellenistic theater of Piraeus, built in the 2nd century BC, according to the inscribed stele found behind the customs office of Piraeus. The monument has the typical tripartite organization of a Hellenistic theater, i.e. nave, orchestra and stage building. Its orientation is southeast and the well-known pale yellow Piraeus Aktite stone was used for its foundation.

From the Hellenistic theater, we head towards the archaeological site of Rontiris Square, where houses, streets, workshops, and movable finds from the 2nd century BCE have been discovered. The area remains enclosed and not open to visitors, but it is visible, with projectors for nighttime illumination. Initially planned for this area was the construction of the Piraeus Courthouse, but it was canceled after archaeological excavations revealed significant findings.

Moving from Rontiris Square to the adjacent Terpsithea Square, one of the most important squares in Piraeus, we encounter four squares, two above and two below Heroon Polytechniou Street. The architects – Urban planners Cleanthes and Saumébert developed the plans for Terpsithea Square in 1835. Positioned at a crucial point in the city, it connected the commercial port and Pasalimani, the tourist port of Piraeus, bridging the worlds of Trubas’ port and the urban elite of the city. The upper squares, adorned with palm trees, flower beds, rock gardens, and a fountain, feature two statues: one of Hero Konstantopoulou, a heroine of the National Resistance, and a statue of hero Sub-Lieutenant Panagiotis Vlachakos. Behind them rises the neoclassical Christopoulos building. The two squares are separated by 2nd Merarchias Street. The lower squares of Terpsithea host a Children’s Playground on one side and a green area with a small lake and ducks on the other. Along the outer side, on the broad pedestrian walkway, cafes operate.

The route concludes via Heroon Polytechniou Avenue at Dimotiko Theatre Square, where we started. At the spacious Dimotiko Theatre Square, home to the Piraeus City Hall we can choose from the numerous cafes or traditional taverns, reminiscing about the multitude of images and impressions gathered during our beautiful walk through the neighborhoods, ports, and southeastern shores of Piraeus.