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105-453: Born in 1925 on the island of Hydra , where he spent his childhood and early teenage years, Tetsis moved to Piraeus in 1937. Though the artist depicts marine themes that are familiar to him - mostly set against the backdrop of Hydra and Sifnos . “If I take a long voyage at sea, I get bored,” Tetsis says, “and I don't agree with Cavafy that headed for Ithaca we ought to hope that the voyage lasts as long as possible.” And he added: “I paint

210-448: A busy port, rising from traffic of 400,000 containers in 2008 to nearly five million containers in 2018. Most European trade with China occurs via Greek ships, including through Piraeus. With an annual number of 8,1 million passengers by 2015, Piraeus also became the EU's sixth-largest port in terms of passenger transportation. The central port serves ferry routes to almost every island in

315-611: A deserted small town, quickly became the leading port and the second largest city in Greece, with its prime geographical location and closeness to the Greek capital helping it continually to grow, attracting people from across the country. A number of events contributed to the development of the city; among these were its ultimate declaration as the leading port of Greece, the completion of the Athens-Piraeus Railway in 1869,

420-492: A few uninhabited islets, with a total area of 64.443 km (24.9 sq mi). The province of Hydra ( Greek : Επαρχία Ύδρας ) was one of the provinces of the Argolis and Corinthia Prefecture from 1833 to 1942, Attica prefecture from 1942 to 1964, Piraeus prefecture from 1964 to 1972 and then back to Attica as part of the newly establishment Piraeus prefecture of Attica prefecture. Its territory corresponded with that of

525-557: A land bridge that is consistently above water, Piraeus in prehistoric times was an island connected to the mainland only by a low-lying stretch of land that was flooded by sea water most of the year. Whenever the land bridge dried up, it was used as a salt field (its ancient name, the Halipedon, means the 'salt field'), and its muddy soil made for a tricky passage. Over time, however, the area became increasingly silted, high, and dry—and flooding ceased—so that, by early classical times ,

630-405: A large number of my seas from memory. I don’t need to paint them from life. And even if I do, I change them later in my studio, even changing them totally.” Balancing discipline and emotion, Tetsis regards himself as a painter driven by the senses. His singularity, according to Koutsomallis, consists in his combination of “elegiac colour tones, compositional clarity and precision, thematic variety,

735-525: A large part of the population, and many people moved away. As a result, the town was almost completely abandoned for a while. By the end of the 18th century, Hydra had again become quite prosperous, with its vessels trading as far as France, Spain, and even the Americas. Napoleon presented the island with the huge silver chandelier in the cathedral as a gesture of gratitude for the Hydriots' role in running

840-544: A monumental character and freely, openly sketched contours”. In 1949 Tetsis along with Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas , Yannis Moralis , Nikos Nikolaou , Nikos Engonopoulos and Yiannis Tsarouchis , established the "Armos" art group. Hydra, Saronic Islands Hydra , or Ydra or Idra ( EE -dra ; Greek : Ύδρα , romanized :  Ýdra , pronounced [ˈiðra] in Modern Greek , Arvanitika : Nύδρα/Nidhra ), and in antiquity Hydrea ,

945-469: A period of cumulative decline. However, it began growing once again in the 19th century, after Athens was made the capital of Greece. Today, Piraeus is a large city, bustling with activity, and an integral part of Athens. It is a huge marine and commercial-industrial centre, and home to Greece's largest harbour. The port of Piraeus is the chief port in Greece, the 5th largest passenger port in Europe and

1050-491: A private art museum, the Deste Foundation , to show the work of established young artists. In the 1950s and 1960s Hydra was the adopted home of a community of expatriate artists that included celebrated Norwegian novelist Axel Jensen , Australian writers Charmian Clift and George Johnston , and Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen . Cohen wrote several of his better-known songs on Hydra, including " Bird on

1155-493: A prosperous city, with its population consisting largely of fishermen. With the creation of the modern Greek state and the proclamation of Athens as its capital in 1832, the port, still named Πόρτο Λεόνε "Porto Leone" or Πόρτο Δράκο "Porto Draco", again acquired a reason for growth, and began to develop into a commercial and industrial centre. Migrants, mainly from the Aegean Islands , continued to arrive. A town plan

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1260-500: A rocky peninsula, originally an island, featuring three natural harbours. In addition to the central one, called Kantharos in ancient times, the smaller harbours to the east are still in use: Zea, also known as Pasalimani , and Munichia, the smallest of the three and widely known as Mikrolimano and Tourkolimano . Nowadays, the Greater Piraeus includes the harbours of Drapetsona , Keratsini and Perama . The central harbour

1365-550: A total population of 448,051. At the 2021 census, Piraeus had a population of 168,151 people, making it the fifth largest municipality in Greece and the second largest (after the municipality of Athens) within the Athens urban area. Piraeus has a long recorded history , dating back to ancient Greece . The city was founded in the early 5th century BC, when plans to make it the new port of Athens were implemented: A prototype harbour

1470-523: A vessel of 250 tons. The larger boats enabled Hydra to become an important commercial port. By 1771, there were up to 50 vessels from throughout Greece in the roads . Ten years later, the island had fitted out 100 vessels. However, the Ottoman Empire and its policies constrained Hydra's economic success. Heavy tariffs and taxes limited the speed of development. The Ottoman administration limited free trade, permitting only Ottoman vessels to navigate

1575-508: A wide variety of entertainment. There are a lot of tavernas and restaurants in Piraeus, renowned for their cuisine. Most are spread along the coasts of Mikrolimano and Piraiki, specializing in seafood and attracting many visitors, including tourists. The nightlife of the city is vibrant, with numerous bars and nightclubs. Plenty of major shopping areas can be found on the central avenues of Piraeus, Iroon Polytechneiou and Grigoriou Labraki. In

1680-694: Is a port city within the Athens urban area ("Greater Athens"), in the Attica region of Greece . It is located eight kilometres (5 mi) southwest of Athens city centre along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf in the Athens Riviera . The municipality of Piraeus and four other suburban municipalities form the regional unit of Piraeus , sometimes called the Greater Piraeus area, with

1785-620: Is a hub of commercial and passenger shipping, whereas the two smaller ones cater to recreational and fishing craft. The municipality has an area of 10.865 km . Under Köppen climate classification Piraeus has a hot semi-arid climate ( BSh ) and according to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service climate atlas it is the only area in Attica , Greece that clearly falls into this climate category. Due to summer night land breezes in Athens , Piraeus records high minimum summer temperatures while

1890-545: Is a passenger ferry service providing an alternative to hydrofoils that operates between Hydra Harbour to Metochi on the Peloponnese coast. Many Athenians drive to Metochi, leave their car in the secure car park, and take the 20-minute passenger ferry across to Hydra. Rubbish trucks are the only motor vehicles on the island, since by law, cars and motorcycles are not allowed. Horses, mules and donkeys, and water taxis provide public transportation. The inhabited area, however,

1995-488: Is a rare case as in most Orthodox Albanian communities Greek was the language of liturgy even up to the early 20th century. The Arvanite community is still found on the island. Nowadays they are fully assimilated. Hydra was relatively unimportant during much of the period of Ottoman rule. At the end of the sixteenth century, there was a wave of migration consisting of big families from the Hellenic and Asia Minor regions to

2100-507: Is a working-class neighbourhood which still preserves the traditional look of an earlier period. The Municipal Theater in the center of Piraeus was built in 1885 and remains an impressive neo-classical building. Located across from the Neo-Byzantine Piraeus Cathedral, it forms one of the most renowned landmarks of the city and a popular meeting place. Rondini Square is an archaeological site which forms part of

2205-473: Is derived from ancient springs known to the Ancient Greeks, it is now almost dry. Hydra previously had wells, and three new wells have been found. Today, the island imports its water by boat from the Greek mainland. A new desalinization plant has been finished but is not in operation. Many local people store winter rainfall in cisterns beneath their houses to use later as drinking water. A fire during

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2310-800: Is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece , located in the Aegean Sea between the Myrtoan Sea and the Argolic Gulf . It is separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strip of water. In ancient times, the island was known as Hydrea (Ὑδρέα, derived from the Greek word for "water"), a reference to the natural springs on the island. The municipality of Hydra consists of the islands Hydra (area 49.6 km (19.2 sq mi)), Dokos (area 13.5 km (5.2 sq mi)), and

2415-412: Is one of the largest universities in Greece, and includes the country's second-oldest business school, as well as the oldest academic department dedicated to the study of finance. Piraeus has been inhabited since at least the 26th century BC . Piraeus is a rocky outcropping on the Greek coast that features the steep hill of Munichia and modern-day Kastella . Although long connected to the mainland by

2520-420: Is so compact that most people walk everywhere. In 2007, a National Geographic Traveler panel of 522 experts rated Hydra the highest of any Greek island (11th out of 111 islands worldwide), as a unique destination preserving its "integrity of place". The Tsamadou mansion, on the left side as one enters the harbour, is now a Maritime Academy. The Tsamados family donated the mansion for the purpose of hosting

2625-617: Is the Panagiotis Tetsis house which now operates as a museum. The island used to host an annual conference on Rebetiko , a type of Greek urban folk music, in mid-October. The municipality of Hydra is twinned with: Piraeus Piraeus ( / p aɪ ˈ r iː ə s , p ɪ ˈ r eɪ ə s / py- REE -əs, pirr- AY -əs ; Greek : Πειραιάς Peiraiás [pireˈas] ; Ancient Greek and Katharevousa : Πειραιεύς Peiraieús ; Ancient: [peːrai̯eús] , Katharevousa: [pire̞ˈefs] )

2730-678: Is the most successful football 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 longstanding 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

2835-449: Is thought to have been a small square room. When and why the statues were apparently hidden is open to debate, along with their origins, date, and style. One early theory suggests that the statues had been stored near the harbour with the intention of being shipped to Italy; however, the presence of coins near the statues dating from a period of war opens up another possibility – that the statues were hidden for safe keeping, and then lost when

2940-586: 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

3045-529: The 2007 European heat wave destroyed much of the pine forest to the east of Hydra Port. However, the fire left some forest untouched above Kamini and at the west end of Hydra. The forest around Molos, Bisti, and Agios Nikolaos was also unaffected. Hydra island has a hot semi-arid climate ( Köppen climate classification : BSh ) with an average annual temperature of around 20.4 °C and an average annual precipitation of around 390 mm. Hydra falls in 11a hardiness zone . The municipality of Hydra includes

3150-529: The 24th largest passenger port in the world serving about 4.37 million passengers annually in 2020. With a throughput of 5.44 million TEUs , Piraeus is among the busiest ten ports in Europe in terms of container traffic, and is the busiest container port in the Eastern Mediterranean . The city hosted events in both the 1896 and 2004 Summer Olympics held in Athens. The University of Piraeus

3255-718: The Dardanelles and the Bosphorus , and hence to have access to the Black Sea , its ports, and the trade in grain from their hinterlands. The Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca changed all this. Russia gained from the Ottoman Empire the right to protect the Empire's Orthodox Christians. The religious protection had a commercial corollary: the Hydriots began to sail under the Russian flag. The treaty also provided for free passage between

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3360-504: The Helladic period , Hydra probably served as a maritime base for the kingdoms on the Greek peninsula. Fragments of vases, tools, and the head of an idol have been found on Mount Chorissa. There is also evidence of Mycenean-era aqueducts, supplying ships with water. The large-scale Dorian invasion of Greece around the 12th century BCE appears to have depopulated the island. Hydra was repopulated by farmers and herders, perhaps sailing from

3465-752: The Helleniko Stadium , in Ellinikon . 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;

3570-643: The Skeuotheke , an ancient structure where ship rigging equipment was stored, designed by architect Philon . In Kastella the Syrangion is to be found, which probably served as a sanctuary to the local hero Syrango , and the Cave of Arethusa, both prehistoric. Ruins of the ancient city at the basement of the cathedral of Agia Triada and the ancient Theater of Zea next to the Archaeological Museum,

3675-584: The Treaty of Passarowitz . From the 17th century on, Hydra began to take on a greater importance because of its trading strength. During the first half of the 18th century, Hydra built the same kind of vessels as were built in the other Aegean Islands : the sachtouri of 15 to 20 tons, and the latinadiko of 40 to 50 tons. The Hydriots contented themselves with trading in the Aegean, going as far as Constantinople . A great change occurred in 1757 after they launched

3780-645: The Venetian Arsenal , where it still stands today. A copy of the lion statue is on display at the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus . Under Ottoman rule, especially before the beginning of the Greek War of Independence , Piraeus was mostly deserted, except for the monastery of Saint Spyridon (1590) and a customs house, and it was only used occasionally as a commercial port. Although there were numerous land owners, Athenians did not live in

3885-591: The neosoikoi (ship houses); the Themistoclean Walls were completed in 471 BC, transforming Piraeus into a great military and commercial harbour. The city's fortifications were later further improved by the construction of the Long Walls under Cimon and Pericles , which secured the route from Piraeus and its ports to the main city of Athens. Meanwhile, Piraeus was rebuilt, based on the famous grid plan of architect Hippodamus of Miletus , known as

3990-459: The subsequent population exchange between Greece and Turkey . Although there was an increase in the labour force, a variety of social problems also emerged with the concentration of new populations in the suburbs of the city, such as Nikaia , Keratsini , Perama , Drapetsona and Korydallos . The involvement of Greece in World War II came as a major setback to the city's progress. After

4095-660: The volleyball tournament in the 2004 Athens Olympics, the 1998 FIBA World Championship , the EuroBasket 1987 and the Final Four of the Euroleague 1993 . In addition to being the largest marine –based shipping centre of Greece, Piraeus is also the commercial hub of Greek shipping , with most of Greece's shipowners having offices there, largely centred around the street Akti Miaouli. In its capacities as host to Greek shipping, Piraeus has been affected significantly by

4200-521: The 15th century, but from the Peloponnese ( Ermionida ) due to conflicts in the region with the Venetians and the Ottomans. This first Albanian settlement occurred in the early 16th century and likely involved members of the same 1-2 clans. They created the modern town port and their presence was evident until the mid-20th century, when, according to T. Jochalas, the majority of the island's population

4305-717: The Aegean and the Black Sea. Hydra entered its commercial era. Hydriot vessels carried goods between Southern Russia in the east and the Italian ports of Ancona and Livorno in the west. From 1785 on, the Hydriot shippers began to engage in commerce, not just transport. Each vessel became its own small commercial enterprise, and trade with the Levant quickly began to depend on Hydra's vessels, though not without competition from those of Spetses and Psara . The plague of 1792 killed

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4410-472: The Allou Fun Park is the most recent and largest amusement theme park in Athens, offering its numerous rides and attractions, restaurants and pastry shops. Piraeus is home to several museums and other institutions of great interest within their field. The Archaeological Museum of Piraeus displays objects from classical antiquity found at the area of Piraeus and the greater coastal zone, typical of

4515-419: The Athens area, and the fact that most shipowners reside in the lavish northern suburbs of Athens, many shipowners have opted once again to move their bases away from Piraeus to Northern Athens. After the post- 2008 financial crisis collapse of global shipping, the port was gradually acquired by China Ocean Shipping Company ( COSCO ), which is a Chinese state-owned enterprise . Under COSCO, Piraeus has become

4620-587: The British blockade and so bringing food to France. In the 19th century, Hydra was home to some 125 boats and 10,000 sailors. The mansions of the sea captains that ring the harbor are a testament to the prosperity that shipping brought to the island, which, at the time of the Greek Revolution , had 16,000 inhabitants. To begin with, Hydriots were far from unanimous in joining the Greek War of Independence . In April 1821, when Antonis Oikonomou expelled

4725-647: The Byzantine fleet, but it was very far from the capital city of Constantinople . In the Middle Ages, the port was usually called by the Venetians the "port of Sithines" (that is, of Athens) and in the 14th century, the name "Lion" is first attested, after the colossal ancient sculpture of a lion, the Piraeus Lion , which stood at the harbour's entrance. This later become Porto Leone (Πόρτο Λεόνε). It

4830-546: The Dormition of the Virgin and sits on the quayside in the town. The monastery contains the tomb of Lazaros Kountouriotis , the richest sea captain on Hydra, who gave his entire fortune to support the Greek War of Independence . There is evidence of farmers and herders from the second half of the third millennium BCE on the small, flat areas that are not visible from the sea. Obsidian from Milos has also been found. During

4935-1006: The Greek Maritime Academy on their island. Another house, originally built for the Tsamados family on the hill overlooking the port was donated to the church to be used as a weaving school and production facility of textiles and carpets. The house now belongs to the Colloredo-Mansfeld family and became known as the Old Carpet Factory . The Tombazis mansion is now part of the Athens School of Fine Arts , owned by University of Athens. The mansions of Lazaros and George Kountouriotis , Boudouris, Kriezis, Voulgaris, Sachinis, and Miaoulis all contain collections of 18th-century island furniture. The descendants of Lazarus Kountouriotis donated his mansion to

5040-579: The Greek government in the British courts, most were uninterested in continuing to base their headquarters in Piraeus, both out of distrust of the Greek government, and because the war had left the Greater Athens area in a state of severe poverty. As a result, Greece's shipowners left Piraeus en masse in favour of operations in London , New York , Alexandria and other major shipping cities. Today

5145-476: The Greek word for "water", a reference to the natural springs on the island. The local Arvanite name is attested in two variants: the common variant Nύδρα/Nidhra and the rare form Nidhriza or Hydriza . Hydra depends on tourism, and Athenians account for a sizable segment of its visitors. High-speed hydrofoils and catamarans from Piraeus , some 37 nautical miles (69 km) away, serve Hydra, stopping first at Poros before going on to Spetses . There

5250-611: The Hippodamian plan. (The main agora of the city was named after him in honour of this achievement.) As a result, Piraeus flourished, becoming a highly secure port with booming commercial activity, and a city bustling with life. In the second year of the Peloponnesian War , Piraeus suffered its first setback when the Athens plague spread to it. In 429, the Spartans ravaged Salamis as part of an abortive attack on

5355-554: The Historic-Ethnologic Institute of Greece. Today, it operates as an extension branch of the National Museum of History. There are numerous churches and six Orthodox monasteries on the island. Two particularly noteworthy monasteries are Profitis Ilias, founded in the 10th century, and Ayia Efpraxia. Both are on a hill overlooking the main harbour. The island's cathedral is the old Monastery of

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5460-539: The Long Walls were torn down; the Athenian fleet surrendered to the victors, some of the triremes were burnt, and the neosoikoi were pulled down. As a result, the tattered and unfortified port city was not able to compete with prosperous Rhodes , which became the dominant commercial force in the region. In 403 BC, Munichia was seized by Thrasybulus and the exiles from Phyle , in the battle of Munichia , where

5565-547: The Menandreio Theater, widely known as Delfinario, is popular for hosting variety shows. Village Park, a large multipurpose center and part of the Village Cinemas built in suburban Agios Ioannis Renti , attracts a large number of people from the whole of Athens, offering a diversity of shops, cafes, and restaurant, in addition to the twenty cinemas making it the largest cinema complex in Greece. Next to it,

5670-599: The Phyleans defeated the Thirty Tyrants of Athens, but in the following battle of Piraeus the exiles were defeated by Spartan forces. After the reinstatement of democracy , a general Conon rebuilt the walls in 393 BC, founded the temple of Aphrodite Euploia and the sanctuary of Zeus Sotiros and Athena , and built the famous Skeuotheke (arsenal) of Philon , the ruins of which have been discovered at Zea harbour. The reconstruction of Piraeus went on during

5775-689: The Piraeus. But when the Athenians responded by sending a fleet to investigate, the Spartan alliance forces fled. In 404 BC, the Spartan fleet under Lysander blockaded Piraeus, and subsequently Athens surrendered to the Spartans, putting an end to the Delian League and the war itself. Piraeus was to suffer the same fate as Athens and bear the brunt of the Spartans' rage, as the city's walls and

5880-484: The Prophet Elijah are the most popular buildings. The coastal area of Neo Faliro has been upgraded and is also prominent, with the Peace and Friendship Stadium and the Karaiskakis Stadium , an indoor arena and a football ground respectively lying opposite one another, predominating. Mikrolimano and Bay of Zea , are the smaller harbours of Piraeus acts as Marinas, attract large numbers of visitors with their picturesque vistas and vigorous nightlife. Kaminia, by contrast,

5985-409: The Wire " and " So Long, Marianne ", while living with Jensen's ex-wife, Marianne Ihlen . This period was depicted in the 2019 documentary film Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love , and Polly Samson 's 2020 novel A Theatre for Dreamers . At Mandraki, Wilhelmina's Art Gallery holds contemporary art exhibitions including works by artists such as Toguo and Bea Bonafini. Near Leonard Cohen's house

6090-410: The ancient neosoikoi in Zea , Munichia and Kantharos navy yard , can also be seen. The discovery of four bronze statues at a construction site near the Tinaneios Gardens in Piraeus, Greece on July 18, 1959 is still remembered by an entire generation as a momentous discovery in Modern Greek archaeology. The statues are now featured in the Piraeus Museum, and are largely responsible for the creation of

6195-400: The area's once wider neoclassical architecture. After the decisive period for Greece of 1912–1922, Piraeus experienced a major demographic explosion, with its population almost doubling to reach 251,659 in 1928 from 133,482 in 1920, an increase owed to the arrival of Greek refugees from Asia Minor after the 1919–1922 Greco-Turkish War and the Genocide of the Greeks in Anatolia and finally

6300-407: The area. There were at least two failed attempts to create a new town, the first in 1792 by bringing a population from Hydra and the second during the Greek War of Independence in 1825 by the installation of people from Psara , but it was not until 1829 that permanent habitation of the area was restarted. Piraeus at first developed into a small town with few dwellings, far from its glorious past as

6405-436: The building was destroyed. Dating the concealment of the statues is another issue, as they may have been buried anytime between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD. The statue of the kouros was recognized to be of Apollo, and dated to the 5th century BC. The other three female statues, from the 4th century BC, show a different, more human, form of sculpture that sets them apart from their older companion. Piraeus provides

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6510-403: The burning of an Ottoman armada followed by a spectacular firework display. Hydrama Theatre and Arts Centre showcases free theatre and dance productions during the Hydra Performing Arts Festival every summer. Hydrama has hosted drama and dance activities for the local community and international visitors since 2001. In June 2009, the art collector Dakis Joannou opened the Hydra branch of

6615-412: The cause of independence, and Hydra's contribution of some 150 ships, plus supplies, to fight against the Turks played a critical role. The Greek admiral Andreas Miaoulis , himself a settler on Hydra, used Hydriot fire ships to inflict heavy losses on the Ottoman fleet. Eventually the fleet of Hydra – along with those of the other two naval islands of Psara and Spetses – were able to wrest control of

6720-460: The city proper (municipality of Piraeus) and four other suburban municipalities, having a total population of 448,051 people (in 2021). The table below shows the historical population of Piraeus and Piraeus regional unit in recent times. Among the archaeological sites of Piraeus, parts of the ancient Themistoclean Walls and Eëtioneia , a mole in the entrance to the harbour, are still preserved in good condition. Excavations in Pasalimani revealed

6825-432: The continuing excavations – the Archaic Apollo (the kouros whose hand had originally been seen), the large Artemis, a smaller Artemis, and a larger-than-life Athena. However, the enthusiasm for the dig led to poor documentation of the details and context of the finds, leaving rare photos taken by the media or public as the only record. There are multiple theories as to how the statues came to be carefully arranged within what

6930-399: The culture of Piraeus. Traditionally, Piraeus has played a major role in Greek sport . The city boasts one of 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, while other historic clubs are Atromitos Piraeus F.C. and Peiraikos Syndesmos . In football , Olympiacos F.C.

7035-428: The current municipality. It was abolished in 2006. Today the municipality of Hydra is part of Islands regional unit of Attica region . There is one main town, known simply as "Hydra port" (pop. 1,900 in 2011). It consists of a crescent-shaped harbor, around which is centered a strand of restaurants, shops, markets, and galleries that cater to tourists and locals (Hydriots). Steep stone streets lead up and outward from

7140-406: The eastern Aegean Sea from the Ottoman Empire. The Albanian-speaking seamen of Hydra and Spetses provided the core of the Greek fleet and leading members of the Greek government, among them a one wartime president. They in some cases used Albanian with each other to prevent others on their side from reading their correspondence. With the end of the revolution and the creation of the Greek state,

7245-399: The eastern portion of Greece, the island of Crete , the Cyclades , the Dodecanese , and much of the northern and the eastern Aegean Sea , while the western part of the port is used for cargo services. The following operators serve the port: Piraeus is served by buses and trolleybuses (OSY), Suburban Railway , the Metro Lines 1 and 3 and the Athens Tram . Piraeus station refers to

7350-421: The fact that Aristotle Onassis was allowed to purchase the entire island of Skorpios , which otherwise would have been a violation of Greek coastline laws. After the junta fell in 1974, the successive democratic government generally maintained the deregulation of Greek-based shipping, and many shipowners have maintained commercial operations there since. Today, however, as a result of traffic congestion plaguing

7455-452: The first account about their settlement was written by Antonis Miaoulis, son of admiral Andreas Miaoulis , after the end of the Greek war of independence (1830). According to this local narrative, the Arvanite Hydriots descend from the Albanians who directly left Albania as refugees in the 1460s due to persecution by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II . Historiographical research shows that the Albanians didn't settle in Hydra directly from Albania in

7560-427: 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

7665-537: The fleet failed to foresee the benefits of participating in the steam ship revolution, which significantly cut shipping operational costs through reduced crew and independence of the winds, putting them at a disadvantage vis-á-vis the new shipping companies of Piraeus , Patras , and Syros . A third reason was that the new conditions made illegal activities such as piracy impossible. Once again, many inhabitants abandoned Hydra, leaving behind their large mansions and beautiful residences, which fell into ruin. The mainstay of

7770-466: The focus of strategic and political improvements due to its natural advantages. For example, in 511 BC, the hill of Munichia was fortified by Hippias , and four years later Piraeus was made a deme of Athens by Cleisthenes . According to the ancient Greek historian Thucydides , in 493 BC, Themistocles initiated fortification works in Piraeus, and later advised the Athenians to take advantage of its natural harbours' strategic potential instead of using

7875-573: The following islands: The total area of the municipality is 72 km (28 sq mi), and its population is 2,070 (2021), most in Hydra town. The Miaoulia Festival provides a series of cultural events in the last week in June and commemorates the victory of naval battles led by Admiral Miaouli during the Greek War of Independence. The festival culminates with a fictionalised re-enactment at sea of

7980-542: The governor, the Ottoman Nikolao Kokovila and proclaimed Hydra's adherence to the independence struggle, he met strong opposition from island leaders who were reluctant to lose the relatively privileged position they had under Ottoman rule. Oikonomou was imprisoned, hounded off the island and eventually his opponents sent assassins to chase and kill him in December 1821. Still, Hydra eventually did join

8085-432: The harbor area. Most of the local residences, as well as the hostelries on the island, are located on these streets. Other small villages or hamlets on the island include Mandraki, Kamini, Vlychos, Palamidas, Episkopi, and Molos. Wheeled vehicles are not permitted in the island, including but not limited to cars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, and e-bikes. The name Hydra comes from ancient Greek ὕδρα (hydra), derived from

8190-869: The history and culture of the ancient city. The city also houses the Hellenic Maritime Museum , with exhibits relating to the nautical tradition of Greece, the Merchant Shipping History Institute Exhibition, the Panos Aravantinos Decor Museum and the Museum of Electric Railways, hosted in the Piraeus station . The Municipal Art Gallery and the Municipal Library, one of the largest in Greece, are also prominent within

8295-553: The history of those times. It is clear that Hydra was populated during the Byzantine era, as vases and coins have been discovered in the area of Episkopi. However, it appears that the island again lost its population during the Latin Empire of Constantinople as its inhabitants fled the pirate depredations. On other islands, inhabitants moved inland, something that was essentially impossible on Hydra. Among local Arvanites,

8400-738: The industrial development of the area in the 1860s, and the creation of the Corinth Canal in 1893, all of which left Piraeus more strategically important than ever. New buildings were constructed to cover the necessities of this growth, such as educational institutions, churches, the Stock Exchange Building, the Town Hall, the Central Market, the Post Office Building and charity institutions; the port

8505-534: The island gradually lost its maritime position in the Eastern Mediterranean, igniting an economic crisis that led to a period of hardship and unemployment. The main reason was that with the creation of the Greek state, Hydra's fleet lost the privileges that the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca and the use of the Russian flag had given it. Another reason was that the traditional families who owned the majority of

8610-499: The island's economy became fishing for sponge . This brought prosperity again until 1932, when Egypt forbade fishing along its coast. Between 1941 and 1943, during the Axis occupation of Greece during World War II , there was famine on Hydra. It is estimated that some eight per cent of the population died of starvation. By the end of the World War II , the Hydriots were again leaving the island; many of them went abroad. On 21 June 2024,

8715-461: The island. Due to the infertile ground, the inhabitants turned to the sea. Its naval and commercial development began in the 17th century, and its first school for mariners was established in 1645. Apparently, the first truly Hydriot vessel was launched in 1657. However, the conflict between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire limited the island's maritime development until after 1718 and

8820-403: The land passage could be safely crossed at all times. Thus in ancient Greece , Piraeus assumed increased importance because of its three deep-water harbours: the main port of Cantharus and the two smaller ports, Zea and Munichia. The Piraeus harbours gradually replaced the older and shallower Phaleron harbour , which fell into disuse. In the late 6th and early 5th centuries BC, the area became

8925-562: The largest in the country. Piraeus is situated in the southwest part of the central plain of Attica , also widely known as the Attica Basin , which the Athens urban area (or agglomeration ) sprawls across. Piraeus is bounded by the Mount Aigaleo to the northwest, and the Saronic Gulf to the south and west, and connected with the rest of the Athens urban area to the east and northeast. The "city proper" of Piraeus consists of

9030-415: The later Permian limestone strata are rich in well-preserved fossils. There are many types of wildflowers, including rare spentzes or cyclamen and poppies . As well as pine trees, there are cypress and olive trees. Birds species include partridges , quails , and many migratory birds , which are subject to local hunting. Mammals include rabbits , feral cats , and goats . Although the island's name

9135-470: The mainland port of Ermioni , in the 8th century BCE. Herodotus reports that toward the 6th century BCE, the island belonged to Ermioni, which sold it to Samos . Samos, in turn, ceded it to Troizina . For much of its existence, Hydra stayed on the margins of history. The population was very small in ancient times and, except for the brief mentions in Herodotus and Pausanias, left little or no record in

9240-425: The mean annual temperature stands at 19.4 °C (66.9 °F). During July 2024 minimum temperatures remained over 30 °C (86 °F) for 12 consecutive days in Piraeus, breaking all known records for any area in the country. Piraeus is the fifth most populous municipality in Greece with an official population of 168,151 (in 2021). The Greater Piraeus , part of the greater Athens urban area , comprises

9345-602: The modern Archaeological Museum of Piraeus. While drilling in order to lay pipes, the Hydrex Company came across the hand of a bronze kouros (youth) at a depth of approximately 1.50 meters. Excavations began after the custodian of the local museum, Dimitrios Kalantonis, and the Director of the Archaeological Service, Yiannis Papdimitriou, were informed. Four noteworthy bronze statues were uncovered in

9450-437: The only pine forest on the island was burned. The fire was caused by fireworks launched from a yacht. The Greek authorities arrested thirteen people in relation to the incident, all of whom were crew members of the yacht. The dominant geographic features of Hydra are its rocky hillsides, which are bare, pine-forested valleys with the occasional farmhouse. The island was subject to a modern geologic study by Renz in 1955. Some of

9555-502: The period of Alexander the Great , but this revival of the town was quashed by Roman Lucius Cornelius Sulla , who captured and totally destroyed Piraeus in 86 BC. The destruction was completed in 395 AD by the Goths under Alaric I . Piraeus was led to a long period of decline which lasted for fifteen centuries. During the Byzantine period the harbour of Piraeus was occasionally used for

9660-497: The port of Piraeus ranks 7th in Europe and the 1st in the Mediterranean in terms of TEUs transported through it each year. In 1967, when a group of colonels staged a coup d'état against the government, in order to increase desperately needed revenues, the junta offered lavish incentives for Greek shipowners to bring their companies back to Piraeus. This included both tax incentives and other inducements, as highlighted by

9765-552: The reasons why Arvanitika was so enduring in Hydra as opposed to other islands which were part of the Arvanite Aegean settlements was that the language was spoken and favored by the newly emerging Hydriot urban-merchant class. Even in the 20th century families of the local magnates like the Koundouriotis spoke Arvanitika in Hydra. Hydra was also an island where church liturgy was often held in local Arvanitika, which

9870-477: The sandy bay of Phaleron. A duty of 2 percent was levied on goods passing through the port. These were very effective at raising funds for the city of Athens. In the year 399 after the Peloponnesian War , for example, the city had collected 1,800 talents in harbour dues despite economic effects of the war. In 483 BC, a new silver vein was discovered in the Laurion mines , and the profit from mining that silver

9975-661: The summer, the Maritime Festival take place, while the Three Kings' Way Festival marks the beginning of the carnival, with all the associated costumes and entertainment. The Municipal Theater has been the center of the arts in Piraeus, hosting a variety of cultural events including theater, dance and music events. The open air Veakeio Theater in Kastella is a popular destination during the summer and hosts concerts, folk music bands and Greek and foreign troupes, while

10080-482: The two railway stations (Metro, and Suburban Railway) located next to the seaport. Piraeus is marked by the diversity of culture among its neighbourhoods. The hill of Kastella is one of the most prosperous and attractive neighbourhoods, with a panoramic view over Athens basin and the Saronic Gulf . Its elegance comes from its numerous neo-classical mansions, while the Veakeio Theater and a church dedicated to

10185-501: The various governments of Greece. Following World War II , the Greek government attempted to nationalize the proceeds of the insurance payments given to Greek shipowners who had lost vessels as a result of those vessels having been commandeered by the Allied Forces ; the insurance had been provided by Lloyd's of London and guaranteed by the coalition of the allied forces. Although Greek shipowners ultimately won their case against

10290-434: The war, the city began its development once more, as damage to the port and the city were repaired and new additions took shape after 1955. Piraeus is now the fifth largest municipality in Greece; the city proper with its suburbs form the Piraeus urban area , which is incorporated in the Athens urban area, thus making Piraeus an integral part of the Greek capital. The port of Piraeus is now an important international port, and

10395-560: The works of construction and maintenance of the port, and the Piraeus Port Authority in 1930, which made a more efficient job of managing a port slowly increasing in traffic, played a catalytic role in the city's development. The town flourished and neo-classical buildings were erected; one of them, which continues to ornament the present town, is the Piraeus Municipal Theatre , an excellent example of

10500-534: Was also called Porto Drako (Πόρτο Δράκο) by Greeks, drako meaning not just "dragon", but any monster. When Piraeus was taken by the Ottoman Empire in 1456, it became known as Aslan Liman ("Lion Harbour"), a translation of the existing Venetian name. The Piraeus Lion itself was looted in 1687 by Francesco Morosini during his expedition against Athens (part of the Morean War ) and was carried to

10605-424: Was also drawn up and approved by King Otto , but not completely fulfilled, as it was revolutionary for its time. The municipality was established in 1835, reviving the ancient name "Piraeus". Following petitions from the new and emerging prosperous bourgeoisie , municipal elections were held to elect a mayor for the city, Kyriakos Serfiotis of Hydra. Piraeus had around 300 inhabitants at this time. Piraeus, from

10710-721: Was also supplemented and modernised, with dredging operations, the construction of the Royal Landing, the Troumba Pier and the quay-ways up to the Customs House area, the commencement of construction work on the Outer Moles and the completion of permanent dry-docks. At the end of the 19th century, Piraeus had a population of 51,020 people. The establishment of the Port Committee in 1911, which controlled

10815-440: Was composed of immigrants from outside of Peloponnesus. In the 16th century, the island began to be settled also by refugees from the warfare between the Ottomans and Venetians. In the early 18th century, a last Arvanite movement from nearby areas settled in the island. Arvanitika was a language spoken by all Hydriotes. By the 19th century, men had learned to speak Greek too, while women and children often didn't speak Greek. One of

10920-475: Was constructed, which resulted in concentrating in one location all the import and transit trade of Athens, along with the navy 's base. During the Golden Age of Athens , the Long Walls were constructed to fortify the route from the main settlement to the port (Piraeus). During the classical period, the naval base in Piraeus had 372 trireme shipsheds. Beginning in the 3rd century B.C., Piraeus went into

11025-482: Was utilized to fund the construction of 200 triremes; the Athenian fleet was transferred to Piraeus, and the triremes were built in its shipyards. The Athenian fleet played a crucial role in the battle of Salamis against the Persians in 480 BC. From then on, Piraeus was permanently used as the navy's base. After the second Persian invasion of Greece , Themistocles fortified the three harbours of Piraeus and created

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