AEGINA
Aegina is an island in the Saronic Gulf. Aegina is also the name of capital and the main port of the island. In ancient times was colonized by central Peloponnesians, the Aegean and the Myrmidons. Later together with other maritime cities belongs in the institution of the Amphictyony Kalavria and participates in the battle of Salamina against the Persians. Today the island is the second largest in size and population of the Saronic and ofcouse a suburb of Piraeus.
Geography
Located in the center of the Saronic Gulf, surrounded by Agistri, Salamina, Methana, Troizina, Poros and Piraeus. The central location between the Peloponnese and Attica, two historical centers of Greek civilization, made ??it very early an important commercial hub, competing commercial cities of Asia, and seems to be present in every aspect of world history. Today, it is a growing city-suburb of Piraeus and Athens and also a popular resort. The island covers an area of 87.410 acres and presents a wide geomorphological variety with dry climate and pine mountains.
The city of Aegina
The headquarters of Aegina is located in the western part of the island. The center of the city is developed around the port, where stands the statue of Kapodistrias, the commander who gave great value to this historic island. The commercial area extends to the coastal road, with a plethora of elegant dining centers, shops and tourist accommodation and outlets for local products. The market is expanding into the commercial streets of the city, where the stately 19th century architecture immediately attracts the visitor.
Sights
The island presents major attractions such as the Temple of Afaia, Paleochora, the remains of the Temple of Zeus Hellanius, prehistoric / historic settlement of Kolona and the Archaeological Museum. Well known beaches are Marathon and Agia Marina. Popular tourist center is also the imposing Monastery of Agios Nektarios, and a multitude of churches that survived after the Ottoman Empire. The island is served by local buses, and the visitor can choose to make a tour of the city on one of the traditional carriages. At the southern end of the island, 9 km from the port of Aegina is the tourist resort of Perdika where the summer there are frequent daily connections (by boat) to the island of Moni.
Historical Evolution
Aegina owes its name according to Greek mythology, to the daughter of God Asopos Aegina, which Zeus fell in love and kidnapped in the island Ioni which was renamed afterwards to Aegina. According to Herodotus, Aegina was a colony of Epidaurus. Τhe first inhabitants are believed to have come from Asia. The archeologists found in excavations Minoan potteryand gold jewelery, belonging to late period of Mycenaean art, which lead to the conclusion that the Mycenaean culture on the island maintained for several generations after the Dorian conquest of Argos and Lacedaemon. One of the oldest historical data is the participation of Aegina in the Alliance of Kalavria along with Athens, Boeotian Orchomenus, Troizina, Hermione, Nauplia and Prasii, in order to to combat piracy in the Aegean.