[Culture] Bay of Zea, Pachaimani, Greece 齊亞灣

Bay of Zea: A Historic and Modern Gem of Piraeus

齊亞灣唔單止係一個港口，佢係一個熱鬧嘅文化中心，當地人同遊客可以沿住佢嘅長廊漫步，喺海濱小酒館享用海鮮，同埋喺時尚嘅咖啡館嘆咖啡，呢個地區將現代奢華同歷史魅力融為一體，可以望到時尚嘅游艇同埋古老造船廠嘅遺跡。

附近景點包括：比雷埃夫斯考古博物館、希臘海事博物館、比雷埃夫斯市立劇院、

The Bay of Zea, also known in Greek as Limenas Zeas (Λιμένας Ζέας), is a wide and scenic bay located on the eastern coast of the Piraeus peninsula in Attica, Greece. During the Ottoman era, it was called Paşalimanı (Πασαλιμάνι), meaning “Pasha’s Harbor,” a name that locals continued to use until fairly recently.

Ancient Importance

In ancient times, Zea was one of the most important military harbors of Athens. It served as the main base for the city’s powerful navy, where triremes—fast, three-rowed warships—were built and docked. The harbor played a key role in Athens’ dominance during the classical period, especially in battles like Salamis against the Persians.

Olympic Legacy

Zea’s historical prestige was revived when it hosted the swimming events of the 1896 Summer Olympics, the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens. This marked a symbolic return to its athletic and maritime roots.

Modern Marina and Industry

Today, the Bay of Zea is a bustling marina and seaport, renovated in 2004 ahead of the Athens Olympics. It now offers 670 berths for yachts and boats up to 150 meters long and 10 meters deep, making it one of the most advanced marinas in Greece.

The marina is managed by D Marinas Hellas, part of a global network that provides services like: Fuel stations, Restrooms and showers, Port police and security and Berthing reservations and yacht maintenance

It’s also a member of the Greek Marinas Association, which promotes sustainable and high-quality marina operations across the country.

Culture and Lifestyle

The Bay of Zea is more than just a harbor—it’s a lively cultural hub. Locals and visitors stroll along its promenade, enjoy seafood at waterfront tavernas, and sip coffee at stylish cafés. The area blends modern luxury with historic charm, offering views of sleek yachts alongside remnants of ancient shipyards.

Nearby attractions include:

The Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, with artifacts from the harbor’s naval past

The Hellenic Maritime Museum, showcasing Greece’s seafaring history

The Municipal Theatre of Piraeus, a neoclassical landmark

Sail Greece | Zea Marina Piraeus Athens | Sea TV Sailing Channel

Walking around Marina Zeas or The Bay of Zea in Piraeus. - Piraeus Greece - ECTV

[Culture] 希臘文明, Greek civilization and Sparta

希臘其實係一個位於南歐嘅國家，由一個半島同好多島嶼組成。希臘文明可以追溯到古代，米諾斯文明喺公元前2600年左右出現，之後係邁錫尼時期，後來係古典時期，當時有雅典同斯巴達呢啲城邦嘅崛起。斯巴達喺公元前371年被底比斯擊敗之後衰落。佢最終成為咗羅馬嘅一個省份，喺羅馬帝國倒退之後，佢大部分都被遺忘。今日，斯巴達係希臘南部嘅一個小鎮，仍然以佢豐富嘅歷史同文化遺產為榮。 

歷史上，希臘同羅馬有重要嘅關係，羅馬喺公元前146年征服咗希臘，吸收咗佢嘅文化，至於羅馬帝國嘅遺產，現代嘅意大利確實係建立喺佢嘅廢墟上面，而羅馬就係意大利嘅首都。

Greek civilization dates back to ancient times, with Minoan civilization emerging around 2600 B.C. followed by the Mycenaean period, and later the Classical period, which saw the rise of city-states like Athens and Sparta. 

Sparta declined after being defeated by Thebes in 371 B.C. It eventually became a Roman province and was largely abandoned after the Roman Empire fell. Today, Sparta is a small town in southern Greece, still proud of its rich history and cultural heritage.

Historically, Greece and Rome has a significant relationship, which Rome conquering Greece in 146 BC and absorbing its culture. As for Roman Empire's legacy, modern-day Italy is indeed built upon its ruins, with Rome being the capital of Italy. 

The Roman Empire was a vast power that once encompassed much of Europe. North Africa, and parts of Asia. Italy as we know it today didn't exist until the unification of various states in the mid-19th century, specifically in 1861. Prior to that, the Italian Peninsula was comprised of several smaller kingdoms and city-states.

The Italian Peninsula has a rich history. One of the most famous city-states was Venice, known for its stunning canals and ornate bridges. Another prominent city was Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance and home to masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Rome, of course, was the capital of the Roman Empire and ramins a UNESCO World Heritage Site to this day.

Greece is actually a country located in SE Europe, consisting of a peninsula and many islands, the most famous being Crete, Lesbos, Rhodes and Corfu. 

Greece and Italy are separated by the Ionian Sea. The distance between them varies, but the closest points are only around 50 miles apart, with the Italian region of Calabria facing the eastern coast of Sicily and the Greek island of Kefalonia.

Modern SPARTA today. Town, Leonidas, Mystras, Greece.

The History of Ancient Sparta and the Spartans (History of Ancient Greece)

[Culture] 雅典國家考古博物館 The National Archaeological Museum at Athens - Greek mythology

如果你喺雅典，又對古希臘神話好著迷嘅話，國家考古博物館就係一個必去嘅地方喇。 國家考古博物館收藏了令人驚嘆的文物，讓古老的神話栩栩如生，親愛的。你會在那裡發現古希臘眾神、女神、神話生物和傳奇英雄的故事。這些展品會將你帶回那個充滿神話和魔力的時代。

If you're in Athens and captivated by ancient Greek myths, the National Archaeological Museum is an essential destination.

The National Archaeological Museum has an incredible collection of artifacts that bring ancient myths to life, darling. You'll discover stories of gods and goddesses, mythical creatures, and legendary heroes from ancient Greece. The exhibits will transport you back in time to an era of myth and magic.

Greek mythology revolves around the stories of gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters, which were used to explain natural phenomena, the creation of the world, and human nature. Its origins date back to ancient Greece, around 800 BC, when Homer's epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, started to circulate. Over time, myths were passed down through generations via oral tradition, until they were written down and eventually became the foundation of Western literature.

Some famous figures in Greek mythology include Zeus, the king of the gods, Poseidon, the god of the sea, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Then there's Hercules, a demigod hero, and Medusa, the snake-haired monster.

Indeed, Ancient Greek Mythology has left an indelible mark on human culture, shaping art, literature, philosophy, and even modern psychology. The stories of old still resonate deeply within us, speaking to fundamental human experiences and emotions.

The influence of Ancient Greek Mythology can be seen in many forms of modern media, such as film, literature, and art. For example, movies like Clash of the Titans and Hercules draw inspiration from mythological stories, while authors like Rick Riordan base their books on Greek mythology. Even psychology has borrowed terms from mythology, like "Oedipus complex" and "Narcissistic personality disorder".

Don't leave Greece without seeing this!

National Archaeological Museum of Athens: The Single Most Important Museum in Europe.