11.03.2024
Aegina Island. A must-explore destination next to Athens
Culture, nature & adventure on a beautiful Greek Island near Athens
According Greek Mythology, Aegina was daughter of the river-God Asopos. Zeus fell in love with the beautiful nymph and took her with him. After a long chase by her father, Zeus and Aegina mated on an island of the Saronic Gulf. Their son, Aeacus, became king of this island, which named, after his mother, Aegina. Aeacus was renowned for his sense of justice and for that, he had won respect of men but also of gods; later, he became judge of the dead in the kingdom of Ades. During the time of Aeacus’ reign, the place had known prosperity and glory. Sons of Aeacus were Telamon, father of Ajax and Peleus, father of Achilles, both heroes of the Trojan War.
Aegina had a decisive role in the victorious naval battle of Salamis, during the Persian Wars, where they participated with 30 triremes. However, between the ‘’city-states’’ of Aegina and Athens, rivalry was more common than friendship and alliance, mainly due to the fact that Aegina was a strong naval power and an independent economic and trade force of the era.
Over the ages, Aegina had gradually lost its glory. In Middle Ages the island suffers numerous pirates’ raids that resulted the destruction of its medieval capital (Paleochora) by Barbarossa. Venetians and Turks came later.
The Aegineans revolt against the Othman’s in 1821, following the example of other islands, and gain their freedom. Aegina was for a while, the first capital of the newly established Greek state.
Eventually, Aegina won back a part of its lost prosperity; agriculture, fishing, sponge processing, pottery being some common professional activities. People of Aegina, be it native or just bonded to this engaging place, make the most to preserve its authentic character. Ancient and medieval sites, such as Aphaea’s sanctuary, the archaeological site of Kolona and the Medieval citadel of Palaeochora, its well-preserved villages, its neoclassical main town, lovely beaches, peaceful landscapes, spectacular view points, picturesque countryside and its proximity to Athens, make Aegina the perfect destination for day adventures or short escapes at about one hour away from the port of Piraeus.
What better way to experience a place, than walking or cycling over mountains and seas, through its picturesque landscapes, towards its highlights and its hidden treasures as well.
Ask now for your prfect adventure on the island of Aegina!
Ask now for your prfect adventure on the island of Aegina!
