 |
| ARCHELOGICAL
SITES |
|
The most important archaeological site lies to the east of
the island near Agia Marina, where the temple of Aphaia, a
very ancient goddess once patroness of Aegina is situated.
The first temple was erected in 570 B.C.and destroyed some
sixty years later. The temple whose remains we see today was
build on the same spot out of limestone from the vicinity.
Traces of the original temple can be seen in the foundations
of this Doric building.
yachting, sailing, yachts charter greece, YACHT CHARTER, greek
islands.
|
|
AEGINA
( Egina ) island
Greece yacht charter, sail Saronic gulf islands
Aegina lies in the centre of the Argosaronic Gulf and has an area
of 85 sq. km., a shoreline of 57 km and a population of 11,000.
The island lies only 16 nautical miles away from Piraeus and the
crossing by the ships or ferries, which provide a daily service,
takes only an hour. There are also the "flying dolphin"
hydrofoils, which cut this time down to half an hour.From here,
you can go in every destination in the Argosaronic Gulf and even
in Peloponnese.
Mythology tells us that the first king of the island was the hero
Aecus, son of Zeus and the nymph Aegina, who renamed the island.The
island was inhabited in the Neolithic period, as can be seen from
the finds at Kolona, near the town of Aegina, which date from around
3000 BC. Later, the Minoans came to the island, to be followed by
the Achaeans and the Dorians. From the middle of the second millenium
BC, Aegina began to develop its trade and at the same time emerged
as a strong naval power. Ships carried the products of the island,
chiefly ceramics, to the Cyclades, Crete and mainland Greece.
It reached the zenith of its development during the 6th century
BC, when, as an independent power, it was the first city in Greece
to mint coins. In spite of the fact that Aegina was a rival of Athens,
it helped the Athenians in their victory against the Persian fleet
at the Naval- Battle of Salamis. The Athenians, who had never trusted
it, finally seized the island in the mid of the 5th century BC.
The subsequent history of the island follows roughly the same course
with the rest of Greece. The island made an important contribution
to the struggle against the Turks in 1821, and Aegina was the seat
of the first Greek government, under Kapodistria, before being succeded
in this role by Nafplio.
Aegina is a pinecovered island with beautiful beaches, pictuesque
villages, very important historical monuments and modern tourist
facilities. Today Aegina, due to its proximity to Piraeus, has became
a place that attracts many Athenians during the weekends, but is
also a very popular destination for many tourists. The beautiful
landscapes, the inviting sea and the enormous historical interest
make Aegina an ideal place for your vacation
|
Perdika and
Moni : |
 |
On the Southern edge of the island lies the small fishing village
of Perdika (which literally translated means "partridge").
This is perhaps one of the most picturesque spots on the island,
and also a good place to eat as there is a wide range of tavernas,
many of whom specialise in fish dishes. From these tavernas, you
have a relaxing view of the small fishing boats in the harbour and
the occasional sight of a fisherman tenderising octopus by whacking
it on the rocks !
From Perdika, it is a short journey (approximately 10 minutes) by
small boat across to the island of Moni.
|
|