Municipal Theatre of Piraeus

What I can see

The Municipal Theatre of Piraeus is one of the most important neoclassical buildings of Greece and the 19^th century. It is perfectly symmetrical, 34 metres long and 45 metres wide. The facade has a Corinthian portico with a pediment. The columns are not carved and do not have the typical ridges for fear of getting too thin and static problems occur. Above the roof, there is an elevation, crowned with a pediment.

What I can't see

The interior of the building is also distinguished. The main hall has a 1,300 seat capacity. It is of Italian style, shaped like a horseshoe, with four levels of boxes and balconies. The scene is ornate and its dimensions are 20×14 metres. The hemispherical internal dome and the roof of the theatre were a difficult task for the time, which is why they were built by experienced ship carpenters. The theatre has hosted a wide range of theatre and dance performances and previously housed the city library and art gallery of Piraeus. Due to problems caused by earthquakes, it remained closed for 14 years. The recent inauguration was as brilliant as its original one in 1895. An unusual as well as promising fact is that it was constructed during a time and an area of few residents and few intellectuals. Why does the facade face the hill and not the sea? We are at the time when the bourgeoisie of Piraeus wanted to “turn their backs” on the polluting and noisy activities of the port and “set up” a new centre.

Info

• Address: Iroon Polytexniou & V. Georgiou A Av.

Bibliography