The first railway station of Piraeus was a ground floor building by the sea, a short distance from the current terminus of Athens Metro Line 1. The facilities included a passenger waiting area, the ticket sales office, and a separate room for the royal family. Many foreign royals, who came to Piraeus on their private yachts or by warship, passed through the station on their way to Athens. The building resembled the summer houses that dotted the affluent suburbs of Faliro or Kifissia. Eventually, it proved too small for the needs of its users. The new station opened in 1928. The large steel roof over the platforms was inspired by the Milano Centrale railway station. The station was destroyed during a bombardment by the German air-force on January 11, 1944, but it was rebuilt in the post-war period.