Laurium, commonly called Lavrio, is a port town on the southeastern coast of Attica, Greece, facing the Aegean Sea. It lies southeast of Athens, within easy reach of Cape Sounion. Lavrio combines an active harbour with residential streets, neoclassical buildings and extensive remains of mining and metallurgical works, creating a townscape shaped as much by industry as by its coastal location.

Mining has defined Lavrio since antiquity, when local silver and lead deposits became an important economic resource for Athens. Silver from the district was used for Athenian coinage and helped support the city-state’s naval power. Mining returned on a large industrial scale in later generations, drawing workers from different parts of Greece and abroad. This created a diverse working community and left a strong labour and industrial heritage. The town still contains workers’ housing, company buildings, workshops and other structures connected with mining, while its name derives from a Greek word associated with narrow passages or underground galleries.

Food in Lavrio reflects the cooking of coastal Attica, with fish and seafood playing an important role in tavernas around the harbour and town. Grilled fish, octopus, squid and shellfish are commonly accompanied by vegetables, olives and local olive oil, while familiar Greek dishes and meze are also widely served.