LAVRIO
Laurium or Lavrio, is located in the southeastern part of the famous Attica prefecture in central Greece. The greater region is called Lavreotiki. Its history traces back to the Neolitihic period. Laurium was famous in Classical antiquity for its silver mines,while the earliest evidence for mining dates to the beginning of the Bronze Age, ca. 3200 BC.
The rich subsoils and the strategic position of the ancient city (right up front the middle of the Aegean sea), led Lavrio to become a great exporter of silver and bronze and its port to gain significant value and play a key role to the economy of the back then – known world.
It took a few years only for Lavrio to become a magnetic pole for commercial sailing ships and steamboats from most of the European countries, that would make its port their second home. Lavrio became a European port and kept providing the economy with its rich minerals until the beginning of the 19th century AD.
From 1865 to 1873, 40.000 tones of silver based minerals, would be trafficking from the port of Lavrio, of which 10.000 tones would be exported in Europe (almost half the total volume production of France). The port customs were founded in 1869, while the building is still operational until today, now housing Lavrio’s port authorities.
In the beginning of the 1870s, Lavrio was the only port in Greece to host commercial vessels transfering combustibles and valuable minerals with over 1.600 tons capacity.
The 19th century was a milestone for Lavrio. The mining stopped all activities and the local economy froze. The local inhabitants got inspired and encouraged from Lavrio’s amazing legacy and history to put the city back on the map, only now with a touristic approach.
The local residents focused on the cultural values, cultivated by their ancestors for thousands of years, and along with the support of all Greeks, have put all their efforts into investing in the creation of Lavrio as we know it today.
Touring modern Lavrio through history.
Approaching Lavrio, one cannot miss the vast piles of rust that girdle round about the southern hill of the port. Τhe mining “labs” which gave life to Lavrio in ancient times are the same buildings that woke up first from their lethargy during modern times.
Seems like each and every spot of Lavreotiki is somehow connected with the continuous evolution of Greek culture from antiquity to the very present.
The industrial and architectural development of Lavrio is mixed with the everyday lives of its local residents and creates a mosaic rich in contrasts that gives the city – port a distinctive character you can hardly fail to notice.
Within 30 minutes drive from the port of Lavrio the relatively new (21 year old) central airport of “Athens Eleftherios Venizelos” has contributed to the further development of the city now hosting a mega size marine that can accommodate hundreds of recreational vessels, a shipyard and a full scale sailing – yachting infrastructure.
The Central Square
If you really want to get a deeper feel of Lavrio, we suggest you visit the Central Square, where the first elementary school is located (built in 1901) and the old Town Hall, one of the oldest buildings in the city (1830) and a fine example of Lavrio’s neoclassical architecture which served as the Town’s official office for more than a century (1894-1987).
You will also pass by the neoclassical building “Efterpi”, a multicultural and entertainment center of Lavreotiki inhabitants during the 19th century.
The two largest sculptures found in the central square are those of J.B. Serpieri, the man who discovered the mineral-rich soil of Lavreotiki in the 19th century, founder of the French Mining Company(1864), who initiated the mining representing the European companies’ interests, while on the other side, you will get to see the sculpture dedicated to the Greek miners’ revolution(1896), dominating the yard of Lavrio’s Cultural Center.
The historical market is your final destination in the city of Lavrio. Active until nowadays, the market (Agora), used to provide all necessary supplies to the mineral carrier ships that had to execute the difficult task of transferring the Lavreotiki minerals to the far borders of the European continent and beyond. Built in 1885 by the Hellenic Mineral Company, the market is another example of fine architecture and hosts a variety of merchants and goods, with daily fresh fish being on top of the list.
Museums
Northwest of Lavrion you will reach the Mineralogical Museum, housed in the only surviving building of the great steam-powered ore washery at Noria region, a true industrial achievement of the 19th century (1873) which was built by the Greek mine company. Through its findings and collections, the museum travels you to the history of Lavrio. Thinking only about the major role the minerals of Lavreotiki played in the development of the Athenian economy during the golden age of Athenian democracy, which led to the flourishing of the arts, makes this museum a top spot to visit.
East of the Mineralogical Museum you will find the Archaeological Museum that was founded in the late ’90s. The Museum houses findings from the local region dating from 5000 B.C. The museum’s collection is quite extensive, thanks to the continuous quest for minerals which demanded the ongoing excavations of the rich subsoil of Lavreotiki, even if the first miners didn’t bother to collect all that was discovered resulting in great loss of invaluable treasures that have been destroyed, lost or ended in private collections.
Technological and Cultural Park
Real close to the aforementioned, lies the Technological and Cultural Park of Lavrio. This used to be the industrial facility of the former French Mineral Company, now consisting of several restored buildings which host the Industrial & Educational Museum as well as the Museum of Ceramics. Anyone keen on arts and local cultures won’t be disappointed at all from visiting these as well.
The Attica Railroad
To the northeast of the port one can find the buildings of the Attica Railroad. The Guesthouse of the railway employees is the main building in the middle of the harbor, and is now used as a restaurant. The Railway Station currently houses the offices of the Cretan Association. The Coffee Shop, opposite the station, was the coffeehouse of the railway station, while the railway depot (Remiza) in the park next to the public market is now demolished, and has given its place to a small theater that hosts several cultural events.
The Machine Shop
The ruins of the old port warehouses aren’t just ruins. The building of the Machine Shop of the Greek Mining Company, was meant to repair the railroad locomotives and furnaces. Once able to create additional mechanical structures, now part of the industrial complex restored by the Municipality of Lavrio, it is used as a conference room and an exhibition hall, it also houses various artistic events. The Machine Shop, as well as all the previous buildings referred to in this article, have been listed by the Municipality of Lavrio as “official industrial monuments”.
The Palm forest
The palm forest or Kyprianos is located on the settlement of the Miners. Lying on the outskirts of the city, the forest was created at the end of the 19th century from 400 palm trees, functioning as a biological treatment plant for the settlement. Kyprianos is located on top of the palm forest and was the first industrial settlement in Greece. Stepping into its alleys is like entering a time capsule with images of neighborhoods from Greece in the 20’s and 30’s unfolding in front your eyes.
Kamariza
Shortly before Lavrio, in the village of Kamariza, 117 years ago, on April 7, 1896, the Miners’ Revolution began. Along the route Lavrio – Kamariza there are signs of ancient wells that communicate with ancient tunnels.
A few hundred meters outside Kamariza is the famous “Chaos”, a circular abyss 55 meters deep and 120 meters in diameter that was probably created in the 18th century by a meteorite.
Beaches
The coast line of Lavreotiki will satisfy beach lovers without a doubt. Some of the most interesting are the beach of Sounio Pountazeza, Perdikas, the Greek and French Skala, Νisaki, Oxygono, Komobili, Thoriko and the beach of Kavodokanou.
Combine your visit to the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio or the archaeological site of Thjoriko with a dive into the clean blue waters of South East Attica and you will be rewarded with the most pleasurable feelings only the wonderful Greek summer vibes can provide.
The coin factory
The metallic silver coming out of Lavrio’s subsoil was mainly used for coinage. The Archaeological Museum of Lavrion shows much of the story of these mines. One of the largest silver mints for cutting coins (aka Argyrocopeum), was based at Lavrion!
Trivia fact
Lavrio was the first electrified city in Greece, had telephone service, railway communication, and there were several annexes of consulates.
Grab a photo of
The French loading ladder (French Wharf – Galiki scala).
To the east of the port still stands the loading iron ore wharf for transportation to the European countries, just opposite the ruins of the Company’s warehouses. The wharf was built in 1888 to facilitate the ore loads on ships. Similar wharfs are half destroyed all over the wider area of Lavrio.
While still in Lavrio
Εnjoy a coffee or ouzo, fish or seafood that will satisfy your thirst or appetite while in Lavrio. You will do that embraced by the Aegean breeze while the sun sets behind the ridges of nearby Τzia.
Finally
If you have reached Lavrio you simply can’t just stay there when you can open your feathers and find yourself in the middle of the beautiful Cyclades in no time! All you have to do is το hop on a “Macedon” ferry of Goutos Lines. In just 1 hour you will find yourself in the magical island of Tzia. In 40 minutes more you will be reaching the amazing island of Kythnos.
