The Ministry of Culture announced on Monday that the archaeological site of the Eetionian Gate in Piraeus, Greece, which features two prominent round towers and ancient defensive fortifications, is set to be expanded by nearly 0.7 hectares (7 stremmas). This expansion is part of a broader project to restore the site’s towers, enhance its visibility, and improve visitor infrastructure.
Beyond this new addition, which the Piraeus Port Authority transferred, the site already spans 2 hectares (20 stremmas). The upcoming restoration work will focus on the structural reinforcement of the eastern round tower and the stabilization of the Gate complex as a whole.
Piraeus walls: A marvel of Ancient Greek defense technology
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni noted that the Themistoclean Walls, of which the Eetionian Gate is a key component, represent some of the most significant surviving examples of Ancient Greek defense technology, particularly those dating from the 5th to 3rd centuries BC.
Located on the western edge of the Piraeus peninsula and the northern side of the ancient port of Kantharos (today’s Port of Piraeus), the massive fortifications utilized the natural terrain to render the harbor inaccessible to land-based attackers.
“The Eetionian Gate is the largest and most impressive archaeological site along the Piraeus coast,” said Minister Mendoni. “A cultural development agreement signed in 2014 between the Ministry of Culture and the Region of Attica paved the way to promote the site. This project reached a major milestone in 2024 with the installation of new lighting, which underscores the historic continuity of the Port of Piraeus.”
Future works will include landscaping, structural buttressing at the eastern and western edges, and the expansion of lighting and security systems. The Minister added that the site will eventually be linked with the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology—currently under construction—to create a unified cultural path for visitors to Piraeus.
Historical context
Constructed in 411 BC as one of two entrances to the fortified city, the Eetionian Gate was a purely military installation. It consists of two round towers, defensive walls, a moat, and bastions, and is believed to have once featured a retractable bridge.
First excavated by the French School at Athens in 1886–1887, the monument suffered gradual damage throughout the 20th century, particularly during the 1944 bombardment of Piraeus, and was later used as storage by the Port Authority.
Related: How Piraeus Became the Most Important Port in Greece
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