Aegina Town
The low pink and white houses of the town cluster round the little harbour
of coastal and fishing vessels protected by a charming chapel dedicated
to St Nicholas, the patron of sailors. The shops along the waterfront sell
the local specialities : pottery, pistachio nuts and marzipan; some of
the boats act as floating shops dealing in fish, fruit and vegetables.
Aigina enjoyed a brief moment of glory during the struggle for independence
from 1827 to 1829 when it was the capital of the new Greek state and Kapodistrias
set up his government on the island. Printing presses produced the first
books and newspapers of free Greece and the first national money was minted
bearing a phoenix, symbol of rebirth.
On Cape Colonna, north of the town, stands a fluted column crowned
with a capital (8 m - 23 ft high), once part of a temple to Apollo errectued
in the 5 C. BC; excavations in the neighbourhood have uncovered the remains
of a theatre and a stadium, as well as a prehistoric dwelling (museum).
From the beach remains of quaysof the ancient harbour can be seen below
the surface of the sea.
Paleohora
8 km or 5 miles east by the road to Agia Marina links Paleohora. The road
climbs slowly through pistachio orhards before reaching the sanctuary of
St Nectarios (Agios Nektarios), a popular place of pilgrimage. A
track leads to Paleohora which was the capital of the island under the
Venetians and the Turks when the coast was vulnerlable to piracy. In the
18 C., the town counted 400 houses and about 20 religious establishments;
it was abandoned by its inhabitants early in the 19 C. The houses were
demolished but the cathedral, a basilical building, and the churches and
chapels, most of which are 13 C, have been restored; some are adorned with
interesting frescoes and iconostases. The Vetenian castle on the hilltop
provides a good view of mount Zeus and the northwest coastline.
Temple of Aphaia (Afea)
The temple stands on a magnificent site on the summit (alt. 199 m - 653
ft.) of the wooded hill overlooking the bay of Agia Marina and the rocky
coast were sponge divers used to operate, and Athens and mount Hymettos,
Salamina and the Peloponese (north and west). It is 14 km - 8 miles east
by the road to Agia Marina.
The temple, which is quite well preserved, was built in the Doric style;
some of the 22 limestone columns (5,27 m - 17,25 ft high) are monolithic.
The scale is modest but well proportioned. The temple dates from the beginning
of the 5 C. BC and was dedicated to Aphaia, a local divinity. The prediments
of sculptured marble depicted Athena presiding over a battle between Greeks
and Troians. These carvings, known as the Aegina Marbles, were brought
in 1812 by Prince Ludwig of Bavaria, later King Ludwig I, and displayed
in Munich.
The temple is approached by a ramp from the east near the sacrificial
altars. The position of the temple, containing the statue of Aphaia, is
clearly visible in the interior.South of the temple are traces of an entrance
gate and the priest's lodgings.
The site was excavated in April 1811 by C.R. Cockerell and Von Hallerstein
and again in 1901 - 1903 by Bavarian archaeologists. Traces of an archaic
temple were discovered in 1969.
Perdika
Perdika links 3 km - 2 miles from Aegina town. There is a fine beach on
the way to Perdika. The charming fishing harbour lined by fish tavernas,
affords a good view of Moni island. Excursions by boat can be made to the
island ( old monastery, beach, camping site) in summer.
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The Tourist Guide of Greece
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Last Update was November 13, 1996.