EVENTS

The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni inaugurated the project of lighting up the Gate of Eetion  the walls of the ancient port of Piraeus, on Kastraki Hill in Drapetsona. The mythical hero Eetion the Piraeus gave his name to the gate. It is the largest and most impressive archaeological site on the Piraeus Coast. It is located to the west of the ancient port of Kantharos (today’s port of Piraeus), which it protected. It was built in 411 BC and was one of the two entrances to the fortified city of Piraeus, through which exclusively military forces passed. The dating of the surviving fortifications dates back to different phases, starting in the 5th century BC and continuing until the end of the 3rd century BC.

In her address, Lina Mendoni pointed out that “The foundation walls of the port of Piraeus, of which the Gate of Eetion is a part, are one of the most important works of ancient Greek fortification. Here, one can recognize the fortification techniques developed from the 5th to the 3rd century BC. It is very important that this exceptional work be seen properly illuminated and enjoyed by the citizens, visitors, and passengers on board the ships arriving at the great harbour.” Among other things, the Minister thanked Angeliki Simossi, recently retired from the Piraeus and Islands Ephorate, for her valuable work and her many years of creative dedication to the Service.

The restoration project of the Gate of Eetion and the Ancient Walls, with a budget of 700,000 euros, involved the complete restoration of the two towers of the fortification and the general landscaping of the area (visitor routes, entrance guard post, plantings, information signs, etc.) with the aim of making the area accessible to all. The lighting design was carried out by Eleftheria Deko  and implemented by Charalambos Stoupas .