Ekklisia Agios Spiridon (Saint Spyridon Church), Piraeus

Saint Spyridon Church stands as a monument to the city's maritime and religious history. Originally, this location was home to Saint Spyridon’s Monastery, a fortified structure known as the Monastery of Draco during the Venetian occupation. The port of Piraeus was once called Porto Leone and Porto Draco, reflecting the presence of a gigantic Piraeus Lion statue that stood at the harbor until 1687. As a castle monastery, Saint Spyridon’s Monastery played a key role in defending Piraeus from pirate attacks, making it a vital protector of the port. Recognizing its significance, the city declared Saint Spyridon the patron saint of Piraeus.

In 1835, the city's first mayor initiated the construction of a church dedicated to Saint Spyridon, though the initial building was later deemed too small. The present-day church, a majestic basilica with an octagonal dome, was designed by the Greek architect Stamatios Cleanthis, though its final form was scaled down under the direction of German architect Eduard Schaubert.

The neoclassical church, covering 400 square meters, can accommodate over 1,000 people and features a women’s quarters, an architectural element found in many Greek Orthodox churches. The iconography of Saint Spyridon Church, dating to the 19th century Nazarene movement, is a masterpiece of religious art. Inside, visitors are greeted by magnificent frescoes, an ornate iconostasis, and a radiant dome adorned with Biblical figures bathed in natural light from the lunettes. The building itself, with double bell towers, ornate arched windows, and a grand marble entrance, stands as a testament to Greek craftsmanship and devotion.

Beyond its religious significance, Saint Spyridon Church is also tied to a mysterious legend involving Andreas Miaoulis, one of the heroes of the Greek War of Independence. After Athens became the capital of the newly established Greek state in 1832, Miaoulis selected the former monastery site as the location for his future home, as it was one of the few areas free of marshland in Piraeus. However, construction workers repeatedly reported visions of a monk warning them not to destroy his home. Miaoulis continued building, but before he could move in, he died on June 11, 1835, fulfilling the eerie premonition.