Megas Limen

Although there had long been a port on the site of Piraeus, the Athenian naval dockyards were originally centred around Phaleron, about five kilometres away. In the 6th century BC however, the Athenian tyrant Hippias acknowledged Piraeus' strategic importance, fortifying the steep hill of Munichia around the rocky outcrop. Several years before the decisive Battle of Salamis Athens moved its naval base to Piraeus, and in the battle's wake the port became its premier naval dockyard. After the Persians destroyed the defences around Piraeus, Athens began constructing the 'Long Walls', a series of defensive fortifications connecting the port to the city. They were completed in 471BC despite opposition from Sparta, enabling safe and continuous passage from the city to the coast.