Discovering Aegina

The island of Aegina is one of the most popular tourist destinations as it is the closest island to Athens (only 16.5 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus).

According to the myth, the island took its name from a nymph, daughter of the river god Asopos, whom Zeus fell in love with and took with him to the island! From 11/1/1827 until 3/10/1829 Aegina town was the temporary capital of the newly founded Greek state. It was during that period when Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias had impressive neoclassical mansions built to house his headquarters that today are important tourist attractions.

Even though the island is small, it boasts a great number of sights and natural beauties, highlight of which is the famous Aphea Temple. It forms in fact an equilateral triangle with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the so-called “holy triangle” of the antiquity.

Aegina town, the capital of the island, stands out for its well-preserved buildings. On the outskirts you can find charming little villages with distinctive traditional character, such as Kypseli, Agii and Vagia as well as organized tourist resorts like Agia Marina, Perdika, and Souvala. Aègina is also surrounded by many smaller islands (Moni, Metopi, Diaportia, Lagouses, Kyra, Dorousa, Spalathonisi, Anonyma) that can be reached by boat from the port of Aegina.

During your stay on the island, you can visit the following museums and sightseeings:

Museums:

• Archaeological museum
• Historical and folklore museum
• Aphea Temple (around the temple of Aphèa)
• Christos Kapralos Museum
• Governor’s Kapodistrias Residence

In the town of Aegina also call in at:

Markellos Tower (built by Markellos, a 1821 War of Independence hero and later Governor of the island, which now houses the Kapodistrias Spiritual Center), Kapodistrias Orphanage (the first public building during Kapodistrias’ administration), Eunardeio (a 1829 building in Doric style) and Aegina Cathedral (the first Cathedral of the Modern Greek State; it also housed Kapodistria’s Government and the first parliament of the modern Greek State).

Explore ancient monuments and old monasteries:

The Temple of Aphea Athena

Close to Ayia Marina lies the 500 BC Doric Temple of Aphea Athena, the most important monument on the island. The temple was founded there ai it formed an equilateral triangle with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the so-called “holy triangle” of antiquity. The most impressive part of the temple is its wonderful sculpted pediments, a large part of which is exhibited at the Glyptothek of Munich. Excavation findings are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Aegina.

The Sanctuary of Apollo Delfinios, Kolóna

Located at a short distance from the harbour, the area took its name from a standing column (of Doric type), the only one remaining from a 6th Century BC temple. Mount Kolonas was a religious centre of the ancient town. Archaeological research has revealed the presence of more than ten historical buildings dating from the most recent Neolithic era (5th millennium BC) to the Mycenaean period (1600- 1200 BC). In front of the archaeological site lies a museum bearing the same name.

Palaiohóra, Ayia Marina

The site of Paleohóra represents Aegina during Byzantine times. This site is known as the “Island Mystras” because it once had 565 churches, 28 out of which (with exceptional wall paintings) have withstood the ravages of time, just like the ruins of a medieval castle and two incredible monasteries.

Saint Nektarios Monastery

Near Palaiochora, on the road to Souvala, lies the impressive Monastery of Ayios Nektarios, one of the largest monasteries in the Balkans. It was built in the 20th Century (between 1904 and 1910) on the site of a small Byzantine monastery.

Sun-loving tourists should definitely soak up the sun in the island’s crystalline beaches:

• Pérdika, a quiet pebbly beach in the traditional village of Pérdika
• Souvála, distinctive for its warm, therapeutic waters suitable for curing rheumatisms
• Ayía Marína, a cosmopolitan organized tourist resort with many hotels, rooms to let, beach bars and restaurants
• Marathónas, two sandy beaches, one next to another, 4 km away from the town
• Vayía

Getting there

From the Port of Piraeus there is daily connection to Aegina:

• By ship
• By flying dolphin
• By hydrofoil
• Aegina can also be reached by boat from: Agistri, Hydra, Póros and Spetses.

Nikos Kazantzakis House

Are you aware that in Aegina the house of internationally-acclaimed author Nikos Kazantzakis (1883 - 1957) exists? The house is located in the vicinity of the lighthouse on Aegina's northwest tip, in the area known as Plakakia.

 The Tower of Markellos

Aegina island has a long history, and many historical attractions to visit! The Tower of Markellos is a mansion that stands out in the city center of Aegina, and there is also a park around it, the perfect place for an evening walk!

 

For more information visit the website: www.discoveraegina.gr