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SEE AEGINA

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Table of Contents: 
ANCIENT AEGINA.
SEE AEGINA CHURCHES
THE ISLAND.

See Aegina, right in Athen’s backyard. Approximately one hour from Piraeus (Athen’s) port by ferry, it is your Greek Island fix.

sailors and all who take to the sea, ask guidance from St Nikolaos before leaving port.
Agios Nikolaos’s chapel is watching over the sailors.

There is ancient architecture before you even arrive. The Temple of Apollo sits atop ancient sites overlooking the harbor. Upon arrival, the whitewashed chapel of Agios Nikolaos greets you on the pier.

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Picturesque Town.

Leof. Dimokratias (Democracy Avenue) runs along the harbor and is worth a look. You can see Aegina town during a stroll from one end to the other.

See Aegina and its small but picturesque harbor.
Leof. Dimokratias along the harbor.

 

Not to be confused with the small chapel on the pier that goes by the same name.
The towers of St. Nicholas Church can be seen from the harbor.

 

The Church of Isodia Theotokou is both architectually nice to look at, but marks a great turn around spot on a harbor walk.
The Church of Isodia Theotokou (right side) at the south end of the harbor.

 

Boats become floating markets along the harborside.
You can buy fruit right off the pier.

Aegina Town is very walking-friendly in the areas most travelers wish to see. Although you do share many of the streets with traffic, distances are short. See the waterfront, but make sure to see some of the back roads, like P. Irioti, to see the real town.

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See Aegina and its Ancient Side.

Aegina has always been popular. Unfortunately, in olden days that included pirates and invading forces. The Archaeological Museum of Aigina is the first museum of its type in Greece. Opening in 1829, it moves several times until arriving at its current location in 1980.

The remians of the old port city are in layers. Each new generation building upon the old one.
The ruins of several ancient Aegina towns.

 

Due to its location so close to sea level, walls were built to keep invading ships away from the town walls. You can still see remnants of some of these walls in the water.
Seawalls protect the fortifications.

 

The temple was in the center of the acropolis. Over years, earthquakes and people looking for free building supplies, took it down.
One pillar remains from the Temple of Apollo.

Admission to the museum includes access to the archeological site. The museum has several artifacts from the excavation of the adjacent site. Also, there are finds from other parts of the island.

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The Temple of Aphaia.

Aphaia, dating from around the 14th century B.C., was the goddess of fertility and the agricultural cycle. She is unique to the island as she “lived” here. It is only on this island that there is a worshipping site to her. There are no other temples honoring her in Greece. A possible mention inscribed on a dedication at the temple of Bassae, on the western Peloponesse, is the only mention of her found outside of Aegina.

Even with time and natural disasters, much of the temple is still standing.
The temple is still standing after thousands of years.

 

Aphaia was the goddess of the harvest so it was important to keep her happy.
A tribute to the hometown (island) goddess.

 

The base kept the temple level. It also controlled from what direction you could approach the goddess.
The temple is impressive from all sides.

 

Although not the highest point on the island, the temple had commanding views of much of it.
The goddess could look down upon everything.

 

On a clear day, you can make out the Athen's Acropolis and the Poseidon temple at Sounion.
Looking towards Athens from the temple.

Of the three remaining ancient sites on the island, this is undoubtedly the most breath-taking. The ruins in town are an exciting look into village life. The Temple of Zeus, while offering impressive views from the top of the island, has very little left to see. The temple itself is gone.

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The Churches.

A convent and a monastary flank the centerpiece church.
Saint Nektarios church anchors the monastery compound.

 

One of many churches in the main town.
Church of Panayitsa from 1906.

 

This Byzantine church dates to before 1400 A.D.
Churches from different periods dot the island.

With the town of Corinth (Corinthians) only a day sail from the island, it is no doubt that the Apostle Paul’s time in Corinth had an effect on Aegina. The island has churches dotting the landscape both in the towns and the middle of nowhere.

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See Aegina Island.

A drive around the island will reward you with dramatic and different views.
Scenic views from just about anywhere.

 

From sea level to mountain top, the island has varied terrain.
The varied landscape.

 

You can be in the middle of the action in Ag. Marina.
The resort area of Agia Marina.

 

Or get away from town and enjoy the orchards and vineyards you can view from the road.
Driving through a pistachio orchard.

 

One of the best places for sea to table seafood is Perdika.
The fishing village of Perdika.

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See Aegina Summary.

Aegina deserves more than a few hours off a tour boat. Plan to experience the island and stay a minimum of one night. If you don’t, you will miss the sunset, a delightful dinner, and the charming locals.

Greece is blessed by Hellios, the god of the sun. Every island has impressive sunsets.
The sunsets over the Peloponesse.

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