Aegina
Aegina
Aegina is in the center of Saronikos Gulf and is 18 nautical miles from Piraeus. It has a triangular shape and an area of 83 sq. km. Its bigger length from east to west is 15 km. The highest point on the island is 532 m and is about in the center of the island on the mountain called “Oros” or “Agios Ilias”. From that point extend lower hills that cover the island all the way to the beach.
The products of Aegina are grapes, wine, oil, olives, almonds, and the famous peanuts of Aegina and cereals. The ground is convenient for the construction of clay pottery. Aegina has a long tradition in pottery and ceramics. Even today it is famous for its jugs and jars.
Aegina has a long history, as the visitor will see from the ancient findings and the prehistoric monuments. Aegina took its name from Aesop daughter, the nymph Aegina.
Sights
- the archaeological site of Aphea. There you will see the 5th century BC temple of Athena Aphea, in Doric rhythm, where a statue of goddess Athena was made of gold and ebony and was used as a prototype for Parthenon.
- Palaiochora. A medieval city built on a hill and was the place to hide form the pirates. On the site you will see many churches.
- the archaeological site of Kolona with the remainings of a pre-historic city and a column, which is the only thing, left from a Doric temple of Apollo.
- the ruins of a sanctum devoted to Jupiter
- the monastery of St. Nektarios