Aegina
AEGINA.
(Area 84 km2 , length of coastline 57 km).
During the 6th century BC Aegina built up a large commercial fleet and emerged
as an important naval power. At this time too local potters were producing the
well-known Aeginetan clay vases. Fine arts flourished on Aegina in antiquity
and the Aeginetan sculpture workshop, which had its heyday in the 6th and 5th
centuries BC, was renowned. On account of its navy, Aegina played an important
role in the Persian Wars. It was captured by the Ottomans in 1718. After the
Liberation, the first government of the newly founded Greek state was installed
in Aegina in 1828.Aegina, the island's capital and port, is an attractive town
with colourful Neoclassical houses. Interesting
sights are the quaint chapel of Hagios Nikolaos by the water's edge, the
metropolis of Hagios Demetrios (Greek Orthodox cathedral)
where the first
government of Modern Greece was sworn in, the Government
House (Kyverneion) of Capodistrias, now the premises of
a notable
library.
Athena-Afea
On the picturesque Kolona hillock near the harbour,
stands a
solitary Doric column, the sole remnant of the temple of
Apollo which stood there in the 6th century BC. The Aegina
Archaeological
Museum houses significant finds from the area. On a hill
4km from Aghia Marina, is the island's most important archaeological
site, the temple of the ancient goddess Aphaia, patron deity
of Aegina. Peripteral and in the Doric order, traces of the
'previous temple can be seen in its foundations. Twenty-four
of the 34
columns of the peristyle, part of the restored entablature
and two columns from the pronaos have survived. Remains of
the propylaia,
an altar and priests apartments are also preserved. Aphaia,
a deity little known to the Greeks, was replaced by Athena
in order
to boost their morale in the Trojan War, which is why this
monument is alternatively known as the temple of Aphaia Athena.
The Monastery
of the Virgin Phaneromeni is quite close to the town. North
of the town are the seaside resorts of Plakakia, Leonti,
Souvala and Vaia, with accommodation for holidaymakers, restaurants,
taverns, bars and other amenities. At Souvala . there are
therapeutic
springs. The road along the island's N coast ends at Tourlos.
Six km NE of Aegina is Palaiochora, the island's capital
from the 9th to the 19th century, with a medieval castle
and many
interesting churches. Not far away is the convent of Hagios
Nektarios.
The interesting architecture of the Monastery of the Virgin
Chrysoleontissa, founded in 1600 in the heart of the island,
is reminiscent of
the fortified monasteries on Mount Athos. The medieval village
of Mesagros, 9 km NE of Aegina, with its long tradition in
pottery-making, offers a superb view of the Aphaia temple.
To the S is Aghia
Marina (13 km from Aegina), the island's most popular seaside
resort, set in the midst of pine woods.The road along the
coast S of Aegina passes through Faros, Paliopyrgos, Marathonas,
Aiginitissa and Profitis Ilias. It ends at the pretty fishing village
of Perdika, with the thickly wooded islet of Moni 3 km offshore.
There are frequent boat services between Perdika and Moni
in
the summer months. There are mooring facilities for private
Graft in the harbour at Aegina. The island's characteristic
products
include pistachio nuts and local pottery. How to get there:
By ferryboat: From Piraeus to Aegina, Aghia Marina and Souvala,
frequent in summer and less frequent in the winter. From
Piraeus: Aegina 17 nautical miles, Souvala 11.5 nautical
miles. By hydrofoil:
From Piraeus to Aegina, Aghia Souvala. Information at the
ticket agencies.
The island is also linked all year round by hydrofoil with
Angistri, Methana, Hydra, Poros, Peloponnese (Epidauros,
Hermioni, Porto
Cheli, Nauplion) and Attica.
Aegina.Church Ag. Nektarios.
Photo: Roel Swaap
