Aegina island in Greece. Aegina Island in Greece Mythology and History

The beautiful Greek island of Aegina is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Greece. On its territory there are unique archaeological sites and cultural centers, and the rich historical heritage of Aegina is complemented by fabulously beautiful landscapes. Until recently, the majority of the island’s guests were residents of Greece; today at local resorts you can meet travelers from literally all over the world.

The main historical symbol of Aegina is the Temple of Athena Aphaia. It is difficult to imagine that the age of this large-scale and harmonious structure is more than 2.5 thousand years. The temple is perfectly preserved after thousands of years; its foundation and most of the slender columns are completely intact. According to scientists, the first temple on the site of the present building appeared much earlier. During the exploration of the temple, many beautiful marble sculptures were discovered, which are today presented in the Munich Glyptothek.

Travelers wishing to admire other historical artifacts should definitely check out the Archaeological Museum of Aegina. Within its walls are rich collections of ancient dishes, figurines and lamps, ancient coins and weapons - all of which were discovered during the exploration of the island. The museum was founded in 1828 and is currently the largest and most visited cultural center on the island. Three halls have been allocated here to house the rich exhibition, and some of the larger exhibits are presented in the courtyard.

In the immediate vicinity of the city of Aegina is the Monastery of Agios Nectarios (Moni Agios Nectarios) - one of the most symbolic and spectacular attractions. The monastery was founded at the beginning of the 20th century by Bishop Pentapolis Nektarios and has been active for more than a hundred years. There are many beautiful stories associated with the name of the founder of the monastery; he is very revered by local residents, and therefore every year a beautiful holiday is held in the monastery in honor of the patron saint.

Many people rightly consider Aegina to be a unique Greek island. The island owes its uniqueness to the excellent local climate, amazing landscape, magnificent beaches, and rich history.

The favorable geographical position of the island predetermined its fate, and at all times Aegina played an important role in the development of the Greek state, which is reflected in the large number of attractions preserved from different eras. The island is perfect for a relaxing holiday.

Tourists who have visited Aegina are left with a sea of ​​impressions. But especially memorable are the magnificent local beaches with warm golden sand; the best Aegina pistachios in Greece, and perhaps in the whole world; the majestic ancient temples of Aphaia and Zeus; The famous "Finger of Apollo" is an unusual architectural landmark, as well as a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride along the Aegina promenade by the azure sea.

Geography

The island of Aegina, which has a triangular shape, is located in the Saronic Gulf - between Attica and Argolis, 27 kilometers from Athens.

Aegina is the second largest island in the Gulf after Salamis. From here you can clearly see Cape Sounio with the ancient temple dedicated to Poseidon.

Neighboring Aegina are the smaller islands: Hydra, Agistri, Spetses and Poros. The area of ​​Aegina is approximately 88 square meters. km, and the length of the coastline is 57 km.

As is often the case in Greece, the name of the capital of the island coincides with the name of the entire island. Administratively, the region is divided into the following territorial units: Vaia, Agia Marina, Souvala, Perdika and Marathonas.

Climate

Aegina has a wonderful warm climate, which is why there are many tourists here in the summer season. The island is densely populated in the western part and practically deserted in the east, which is mountainous and covered with coniferous forests. The soil on the island is rocky and dry, however, with careful cultivation, it can produce good harvests of almonds, olives, grapes, figs and barley.

Fertile plains are located on the western shore of Aegina, around the capital. Two-thirds of the island is covered with volcanic rocks originating from now extinct volcanoes, making Aegina's soil extremely fertile.

Population and tourism

Today, 17,000 people live on Aegina, but in ancient times the population of the island was incomparably larger. According to Aristotle, about 60,000 citizens once lived on Aegina, while the total population of the island reached 500,000 people.

Mythology and history

According to local tradition, the name of the island comes from the naiad Aegina, the daughter of the river god Asopus, who was kidnapped by Zeus and gave birth to his son Eak, who was known as the most just and pious among the Hellenes.

According to legend, Zeus kidnapped Aegina from Phliunt, and then, fearing the wrath of Hera, transferred her to the island of Oenona (according to legend, the previous name of Aegina), where, in a fiery guise, he seduced the girl. Another version of the legend says that Zeus took the form of an eagle. The name of Aegina's abductor was given to the girl's father by Sisyphus, for which the Thunderer sent Thanatos against him, who doomed Sisyphus to eternal torment in the kingdom of Hades. There Sisyphus was sentenced to roll a heavy stone up a mountain, which rolled down every time. This is where the expression “Sisyphean labor” comes from, meaning hard and fruitless work.

The son of Aegina, Eak, was a wise and fair king. Once Hera sent a terrible crop failure to the island and poisoned the drinking water sources. Many inhabitants of Aegina died, and Aeacus appealed to Zeus with a request that he give rain and people to the island. Zeus heard the king’s request and created new inhabitants of the island from ants - “myrmidones”. After his death, Aeacus became one of the three judges of the underworld of Hades, and his grandchildren - Achilles, Ajax and Teucer became famous as the main heroes of the Trojan War.

During antiquity, Aegina was a developed center and even competed with Athens for maritime dominion in the Aegean Sea. According to some sources, the total population of the island (including women, children and slaves) was about 500 thousand people, which is not comparable with current figures.

Aegina was the first in Greece to move away from natural relations and began to mint their own coins. The Aegina coin featured a turtle, and this coin was in circulation until the Roman era. In 1828, the island's capital became the capital of the newly independent Greek state.

Traditions and customs

According to legend, Zeus created the city's inhabitants from ants. Whether this is true or not, the Aeginians are hard-working. They work on the land, growing vegetables and fruits.

Craft traditions have been strong in the region for centuries. On Aegina, coins were first minted and used as currency for trade with the entire eastern world.

The Aeginians produced ceramics and incense, but they were especially famous for the local copper from which statues were cast. The Aeginetans also became famous in such fields as sculpture, architecture, trade, sports, and military craft. But the main wealth of the island’s inhabitants, which they have carried through millennia, is the cordiality with which they greet guests.

Attractions

Tourism is the sector of the economy in Aegina that brings the greatest income to the treasury. During the summer season, the number of tourists often exceeds the number of local residents by more than 10 times. It is not surprising that the tourism sector is well developed in all centers of the island. Aegina.

The capital of the island is Aegina- a modern city, with a well-developed network of hotels and guesthouses, but the architecture of Aegina is especially interesting.

Suwala. The second largest port of Aegina is notable for the fact that there is a healing spring here, known since antiquity and ranked among the most famous springs in Europe. Visiting it is recommended for people with stomach disorders, rheumatism, and gynecological diseases.

Palaiochora. Particularly popular are tours to Paleochora - a small village where about 40 Byzantine churches and chapels have been preserved, including the famous monastery of St. Nektarios.

Fart. A picturesque village, named after the friend of Alexander the Great, dotted with numerous taverns where guests are offered delicious and always fresh food. Opposite Perdika there is an island

Moni.Pharos. Here is the famous Aegina water park - Aegina Water Park with many interesting water activities. There is a nice sandy beach not far from Faros.

Beaches

Agia Marina. The best beach on the island is the large, well-equipped Agia Marina beach, with a large selection of water activities (inflatable boats, canoes, etc.), as well as all the conditions for a pleasant time on the shore.

Agia Marina beach is popular among tourists who come on holiday with children. There are also bars and taverns on the beach, where you can always enjoy delicious Greek coffee.

Aiginitis. In the bay of the same name there is a beautiful organized beach, which is surrounded by mighty trees along the entire road to the village of Perdika. P

Aiginitis beach is a favorite vacation spot for yachtsmen and young people.

Avra. This well-organized beach is located directly opposite the archaeological site of Colonna. There are bars, cafes on the beach, and tourists are offered sun umbrellas and awnings. The sea here is very pleasant and safe, so even very young children can splash in the shallow waters. Avra is also notable for the fact that in August this beach hosts a popular Aegina Music Festival, where interesting theatrical performances are shown.

Luthra. This beach is notable for the fact that it is located in a natural bay; the places here are extremely picturesque. Loutra Beach is considered a real family beach, where both adults and very young children can relax on the water. If you wish, here you can always rent a sun umbrella or awning.

Klima. On weekdays, Klima Beach is quite uncrowded, but on weekends it turns into one of the main beach holiday centers on the island. There are good conditions for water sports, in particular diving or snorkeling.

Frond. Not the most visited beach in Aegina, which not many tourists know about. Among the tourist accessories, vacationers here can be offered only a few sun umbrellas. The beach is so secluded that it is very uncrowded even during the high season in August.

Marathonas. Marathonas Beach, 5 km from the capital of the island, has always been considered a good choice for tourists. It has a well-developed infrastructure for a comfortable stay: tourists are offered soft drinks, sun umbrellas and awnings. There are also excellent conditions for water sports and beach volleyball.

Sarpa. The wide sandy beach of Sarpa is very popular among tourists during the summer season. The beach has a relaxing and calm atmosphere; there is no loud music here - only calm, melodic tunes. Here tourists will not experience a shortage of delicious snacks and soft drinks.

Panagitsa. A five-minute walk from the city port of Aegina is Panagitsa Beach. This place is a favorite among Aegina ladies who enjoy the sun and warm water. In Panagitsa you will be offered sun umbrellas, sun loungers and other leisure accessories.

Entertainment

Be sure to visit the monumental Temple of Aphaia, an archaeological site called Column, Asomati Chapel And Monastery of St. Nektarios.“What about club entertainment in Aegina?”, - you ask, and we will answer: - "Very good!".

Night clubs- very popular places on the island; crowds of people gather here on summer evenings. The clubs offer an interesting entertainment program, so you definitely won’t be bored. If you want to spend time in a more relaxed environment, you can visit one of the many local coffee shops.

On a small Moni island, which is located opposite the town Perdika, There is nature reserve. While walking along it, do not be surprised if you meet an antelope or deer there, not only not afraid of people, but also calmly taking food directly from their hands. To get to the reserve, you need to rent a boat that runs between Perdika and Moni.

A five-minute drive from the capital of the island in the town of Faros there is a water park Aegina Water Park. Other types of water activities are also well organized in Aegina, in particular diving, banana ride And water skiing. Thanks to its special lighting, the city of Aegina is a place where artists can draw inspiration.

The island is most beautiful in the late evening and early morning.

Shopping

Aegina is famous for its cultivation of pistachios, which are one of the main products of the island.

"Aeginian pistachios" have become famous throughout the world, and you can buy them at the market, as well as in many shops on the island. It is interesting that in other regions of Greece, sellers, trying to sell pistachios, try in every possible way to convince buyers that they are grown specifically in Aegina - this is a kind of indicator of their highest quality.

Another popular type of product that holidaymakers in Aegina often buy is clay products, which are presented here in a fairly wide range.

Transport and movement

Well developed in Aegina ferry service with the mainland of the country, since the island can only be reached by sea.

You can move around the island itself by rented car, moped, motorcycle, scooter, bicycle, on the bus or on Taxi.

The Aeginians have also come up with a way to truly surprise tourists and offer everyone a ride along the Aegina embankment. horse-drawn Kolka. Sea communication.

The fastest and most popular way to get to Aegina is hydrofoil rocket, leaving for the island from the main Greek port - Piraeus. The entire trip will take you 35 minutes, and you will pay 13.5 euros for it (21 euros for VIP class).

If you get to classic ferry, then the journey will take about an hour and a quarter. Ticket price is 9.5 euros. Buses.

The capital of Aegina has a well-equipped bus depot, located near the port.

Taxi. As in other regions of Greece, taxis in Aegina can be easily distinguished from other cars. Local taxi drivers know the island very well.

Car rental. You can rent a car or motorcycle on the island, which will significantly increase the comfort of your travels around Aegina. Scooter rental And auto can be found right at the exit from the pier.

Kitchen and food

Literally from the first minutes of your stay on the island, you will notice how many taverns and bars there are, offering traditional Greek food and drinks.

You won’t find McDonald’s or other fast food brands here - only healthy and delicious food made from local products.

Classic breakfast in Aegina- this is aromatic coffee in one of the local cafes.

At lunch Snacks made from fresh cheese, spinach cakes, and a variety of fruits are popular.

Drinks include Greek ouzo and cold beer, which will be especially appropriate on a hot afternoon. For dinner, local chefs can delight you with a rich selection of dishes offered in the taverns.

Standard dishes in evening menu are salad dishes, fresh fish dishes and grilled meats.

The capital of the island, the city of Aegina, is convenient as a base for excursions around the island and is of interest to connoisseurs of architecture: in 1826-1828, during the War of Independence, it was the first capital of new Greece, and during this time several majestic buildings were erected. The neoclassicism of the 19th century is matched by a distinctive lifestyle: many keep yachts here, special events are frequent, and the rich bazaar remains lively even on weekends.

The bus station is located north of the ferry pier, on the spacious Etneiercias plateau. Bus connections to most of the island's villages are excellent, but tickets must be purchased in advance from kiosks. Taxi park - near the pier, opposite a line of kiosks selling tickets for various catamarans, ferries and hydrofoils, some of the hydrofoils go to Angistri, but the most frequent services are Angistri Express, which, along with pleasure boats and fishing boats, go to south.

The post office is located on the other side of the square, and look for ATMs in the many local banks. There are several places on and near the main promenade that rent cars, scooters, motorcycles and mountain bikes - the island is large and mountainous enough for motorized travel on its roads. The agency "Aegina Island Holidays", on the promenade, behind the Panayitsa Church, offers excursions to the theater festival in. Internet access is provided by "Prestige" on Eaku, at the junction with Spiru Rdi. Foreign newspapers are sold by Kalezis in the very middle of the embankment.

• Where to stay in Aegina

As with almost everywhere else on the islands of Argolikos and Saronicos, accommodation is quite expensive at the weekend, but discounts are available in the low season from Monday to Thursday. Except where otherwise noted, all establishments are affected by street noise to some extent. Bathrooms, funnily enough, are almost everywhere in a rudimentary state, even in the best hotels.

1). Hotel Artemis– A no-frills hotel in the style of the 1960s, but the rooms with air conditioning and refrigerators are quite tolerable and probably the quietest in the city. And the views from the rooms from the front of the pistachio grove are still better than nothing. Location: Kanari 20;

2). Hotel Brown– The best of what Aegina has: a three-star hotel (class B) opposite the southern city beach, in a former sponge factory (1866), especially good for its spacious common areas: a bar on the terrace, a buffet and also a breakfast room. The best and quietest rooms are in garden bungalows. There are also family suites with galleries for up to four guests. Location: southern embankment, behind the Panayitsa Church;

3). Hotel Eginitiko Arhontiko– Well-furnished rooms (double beds, refrigerators and air conditioning throughout) in a neoclassical mansion in ocher and orange tones. Its highlight is the suite with a painted ceiling. Breakfast is served in the conservatory with stained glass windows. Location: intersection of Thomaidou and St. Nicholas, behind a huge church;

4). Pension Elektra– A quiet haven of the domatya type: cramped rooms with narrow balconies. Nearby is the more visible Marmarinos Hotel. Location: Leonardu-Lada 25, northwest of the square;

5). Hotel Pavlou– A good inexpensive hotel with air conditioning and in some places double beds in rooms with mosaic floors, and since the hotel was converted to “with bathtubs” status, some rooms have them – across the corridor. Location: behind the Panayitsa Church on Einitu 21;

6). Hotel Plaza– One of the coastal hotels a little north of the Etneyersias platia, near the city beach. Great sea views from rooms with mosaic floors, refrigerators and air conditioning, although of course it is quite noisy. Location: Kazantzaki 4.

Sights of Aegina

The long promenade near the harbor combines everyday life with the picturesque, but it is undoubtedly attractive: fishermen talk among themselves and look after their nets, caiques sell goods brought from the mainland, and the sea view is one of the best in the country: both mountains and islands. To the north of the port, behind a tiny beach that does not suffer from a lack of swimmers, you can see a lonely column on a cape, which, as you might guess, is called Colona (column). It marks the site with the remains of the Temple of Apollo and the ancient acropolis. Near the entrance to the ruins there is a small but interesting archaeological museum with finds discovered during extensive excavations that revealed a dozen cultural layers over 2,500 years.

Among the exhibits, the explanations of which are written only in Greek and German, the most interesting is the ceramics created in the middle of the Bronze Age and discovered during construction nearby: on the pottery one can find both the familiar antique pattern with octopuses and squids, and a relatively rare chessboard motif. boards. From the north, Colon Hill is washed by the waters of a pleasant bay with a small sandy beach - the best place for swimming near the city, although the clear waves often look like a reproach to the shore, which has plenty of seaweed washed up by the surf.

Other city beaches - south of Colona and south of the bay with a marina - are smaller and not as clean, although more people come to them. Other local attractions in Greece include the restored 1802 Markelou building, which once housed the Greek government. Nearby, the square bell tower of the large Church of St. Nicholas rises, its spire piercing into the heavens visible from everywhere. In the suburb of Livadi, to the north, the house where Nikos Kazantzakis lived in the 1940s and 1950s has a plaque on it: here he wrote the most famous of his books, Zorba the Greek.

Having walked 3 kilometers in the same direction, already outside the city, you can easily find the Christos Kapralos Museum - Musio Christou Kapralou (June-October Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-14:00 and 18:00-20:00; November - May Friday-Sunday 10:00-14:00; 2 €), housed in several workshops in which the outstanding Greek sculptor and painter worked every summer for three decades, until his death in 1993. The influence of Henry Moore is felt in the wood, terracotta and bronze pieces. The canvases occupy an entire wing: the master often painted strangely elongated naked figures. A copy of his famous frieze “Monument to the Battle of Pindus” is also on display - the original adorns the hall in the Greek Parliament building.

Food, drink and entertainment in Aegina

We can recommend several ouzeri and taverns, especially those on the southern edge of the pedestrian Panagioti-Irjoti, behind the fish market, and at the ends of the embankment - the Athenians who patronize these establishments force them to keep their mark. And vice versa, the cafe in the very middle of the embankment, near the ferry pier, is not pleased with the quality, and the prices there are Athenian (like in Kolonaki). In addition to the establishments included in the list below, there are a couple of affordable coffee shops on either side of the entrance to the fish market - at least the locals go there.

We should also thank the same Athenians for the richness of the nightlife: it is surprisingly colorful and loud, although there are not even nine thousand people in the town. Of the three summer cinemas, Anesis, on Eakou on the way to Pyrgos Markello, opens in June, and then it is joined by Olympia on Faneromenis, opposite the football ground, and Akroyiali, behind the football ground, on the road to Perdika – they all show good foreign films, the winter cinema “Titina” is opposite Pyrgos Markello.

There is a good venue with live music, mostly Greek - En Egini on Spiru Rodi 44, pay attention to the posters and book a table in advance, otherwise you will not get a seat. Ellinikon is a large, pleasant, somewhat tourist-oriented club on the southern outskirts of the city, near the Akroyiali cinema.

1). Avli establishment– Here are some of the most inexpensive breakfasts in the city, a full-fledged tavern with a bar where jazz or Latin music is played. In summer, tables are located in the avli (in the courtyard), and in winter, a fireplace is lit in a cozy room. Location: Panayoti-Irioti 17;

2). Babis establishment– A modern, trendy ouzeri with a beachfront terrace and friendly Athenian customers. Excellent food but relatively high prices. Location: southern end of the embankment at the corner of Faneromenis, behind the Brown Hotel;

3). Flisvos establishment– The best fresh fish from the grill and some meats, at reasonable prices. Location: on the northern embankment near the city beach;

4). Ippokambos establishment“This mezedopolio is ruled by the Lebanese Georges, and the food is good, if a little expensive: dishes like pork roulade and stuffed squid. Only in the evening, 19:30-01:00. Location: Faneromenis 9, in the south of the city, near the football stadium and the former orphanage;

5). Lekkas establishment– Famous for good vegetable dishes and excellent grilled meat. All this is washed down with excellent draft wine such as sherry. Very inexpensive for Aegina. Location: Kazantzaki 4, near the Flizvos tavern;

6). Yeladhakis establishment(or Tou Steliou) – In many ways the best and most inexpensive seafood ouzery of the three neighboring establishments, which means there are a lot of people and a wait for a table. The usual set: octopus, sardines, shrimp plus vegetable appetizers. In summer there are tables on the cobblestone street, in winter - in the hall. Location: behind the fish market.

In contact with

It’s been a long time since I continued my story about Greece as seen in the now distant 1997. Today - about the island of Aegina. When we arrived from snowy Meteora to Marathon, at dinner everyone was offered a choice - a day of rest in Marathon or sign up for a one-day cruise to the islands of the Saronic Gulf: Aegina, Poros and Hydra. So we ended up on Aegina and even had one funny adventure there. Next is a story about the Orthodox Church of St. Nektarios and the ancient Temple of Athena Aphaia - my favorite.

The island of Aegina is visible here at the top of the map:

So, our ship set sail from the Athens port of Piraeus and headed towards the island of Aegina, located approximately 20 km southwest of Piraeus.

On the way, a variety of ships sailed past us:

Fragment of the wardroom interior:

The anchor is dropped in the port of Aegina:

Ancient houses, many of which are surprisingly well preserved in their original condition, yachts, boats, a crowded embankment - all this creates a lively picture that creates a pleasant mood. From the side of the pier the embankment looks like this:

The island's embankment on a postcard:

The area of ​​the island is 84 sq. km, the population is 11,000 inhabitants (according to other sources - 12,000), the shape resembles a triangle, the length of the coastline of which is 57 km. In addition to permanent residents, there are many Athenians who have a country house or luxury villa on the island, coming here for weekends throughout almost the entire year. Aegina is the largest and most interesting of the islands of the Saronic Gulf. The coastal plains, framed by volcanic mountains, are home to extensive groves of almonds, olives, grapes and pistachio trees.

The island's participation in the 1821 war of national liberation against the Turks was significant, as Aegina became the seat of the first government of Greece, led by Kapodistrias, before it moved to Nafplion, in fact the first capital of the country in 1828.

Island plan:

The length of the island is not even 10 kilometers, as they say, you can easily go around it by bicycle. However, we approached the parking lot for excursion buses, located here on the embankment. Signs behind the glass indicated what language the tour was in. On ours there was a message that it would be in Russian and Japanese. :-) So we rode with the Japanese on the same bus - all the way there we listened to the booming Japanese language, and all the way back we were told in Russian about the sights.

The first object on the island was the temple of St. Nektarios. The church and convent of St. Nektarios are located 6 km from the city, and many believers visit the miraculous shrine with incorruptible relics every year on the day of his death on November 9. This saint, who founded the monastery in 1904-1910, spent the last 13 years of his life on Aegina. on the ruins of a previous monastery from Byzantine times and dedicated it to the Agia Triada (Trinity).

This is how the church appeared before us, one of the largest (if not the largest) of the Orthodox churches in Eastern Europe:

For some reason, the exterior decoration of the temple reminded us of the architecture of Cordoba and Granada:

View from the main entrance:

As soon as the islanders walk up these stairs all day long?

There was twilight inside the temple and these photos didn’t turn out very well:

Reliquary with the relics of St. Nektarios:

And this is how he was during his lifetime:

Canonized by the Greek Orthodox Church (his canonization took place in 1961) http://www.dunyasha.ru/article/agniparfene/

You can read more about his life and deeds here:
Saint Nektarios of Aegina the Wonderworker (1846-1920) http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/russian/saint_nektarios_egina_r.htm
http://ricolor.org/europe/grezia/1/18/palomnichestvo/

Now a short excursion into the ancient history of the island:

Information about it appeared 4 thousand years ago. According to mythological legends, the first king of the island was the hero Eak, the son of Zeus and the nymph Aegina, who renamed the island from Oenone to Aegina in honor of his mother. Aegina has been inhabited since Neolithic times, as evidenced by finds at the site of Columns near the city of Aegina, dating back to around 3000 BC. Later, the Minoans arrived on the island, and then the Achaeans and Dorians. From the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. Aegina develops trade and at the same time asserts itself as a powerful maritime power. Its ships transport food and mainly ceramics to the Cyclades, Crete and mainland Greece. The Phoenicians nicknamed it "Island of Pigeons".

The island flourished in the 7th-5th centuries BC, that is, at a time when navigation and trade were actively developing in Greece. In the history of Ancient Greece, this was one of the famous islands where, for the first time in Europe, they began to mint their own silver coin. The first Greek coins were minted here and systems of weights and measures were developed, which then spread throughout the Mediterranean. The importance of Aegina in the classical era is indicated by the fact that the Aegina talent was universally accepted as the standard measure of precious metals. During its heyday, one of the greatest poets of post-Homeric Greece, Pindar, lived and worked here.

The island's only mountain rises above the sea and its peak is visible from Athens. For the ancient Athenians this was a constant challenge. After all, Aegina blocked Athens’ access to the open sea. Aegina is historically a constant rival of Athens. Natural conditions on the island were much harsher than in Athens. But at the same time, the Aeginetans in many ways anticipated the achievements of the Athenians. Aeginian merchants controlled trade with Egypt, where other Hellenes were very rare guests. And Aegina sculptors decorated the temple of Athena Aphaia long before Phidias created his masterpieces for the Parthenon. Temple of Athena Aphaia - Doric temple from the 5th century BC. This is an ancient Greek temple, which has been preserved better than all others to this day.

During the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), Aegina sided with Sparta against Athens, which subsequently led to a serious conflict between the two policies. This marked the beginning of the decline of Aegina, the city was conquered by Athens. In the Middle Ages, the island passed from the Byzantines to the Turks and back, and was a haven for pirates.

The famous Temple of Athena Aphaia is one of the most beautiful temples of ancient Greece. If you draw imaginary straight lines from this temple, connecting it with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sunium, you will get an almost equilateral triangle.

It is a temple of the Doric order, built after the naval battle of Salamis (480 BC) in an idyllic location overlooking the sea and lying opposite the coast of Attica.

Japanese tourists against the backdrop of the temple:

The goddess Aphaia was revered on the island, whose image eventually merged with Athena. The temple of this goddess, the completion of which dates back to the pre-Athenian period, 490 BC. you see in these photos. Currently, it is one of the best preserved Doric temples. The cult of Afaya can be traced here from the 13th century. BC e. In plan, the temple resembles the famous sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia, built 30 years later and considered one of the wonders of the world. The colonnade is well preserved.

Temple fragment:

Double columns of the sanctuary:

Side view:

Postcard view:

View from above:

Temple plan:

This is what the temple looked like in ancient times:

Reconstruction:

More plans and elevations:

But even without knowing about this temple, if you have ever leafed through a book on the history or art of ancient Greece, there were probably sculptures from the pediment of the Temple of Athena Aphaia:

This is the so-called "wounded warrior" Sculpture of the eastern pediment of the Temple of Athena Aphaia on the island. Aegina. Around 480 BC

Drawing of the arrangement of the figures of the western and eastern pediments:

And what remains of them today:

Sculptures from the pediments of the temple were sold during the period of Turkish rule and are now in the Glyptotek of Munich.

Here's what they write about the pediment figures:

The same applies to the sculpture of the Temple of Athena on the island of Aegina, built after 490 BC. e. Its famous pediments were decorated with marble sculptures, some of which have come down to us (Munich, Glyptothek).
In earlier pediments, sculptors arranged the figures in a triangle, changing their scale accordingly. The figures of the Aegina pediments are of the same scale (only Athena herself is higher than the others), which already marks significant progress: those closer to the center stand at full height, those on the sides are depicted kneeling and lying down. The plots of these harmonious compositions are borrowed from the Iliad. Some of the figures are beautiful, such as the wounded warrior and the archer drawing his bow. Undoubted success has been achieved in liberating movements. But one feels that this success was achieved with difficulty, that this is still just a test. An archaic smile still wanders strangely on the faces of the combatants. The whole composition is not yet coherent enough, too emphatically symmetrical, and not inspired by a single free breath. There is no true freedom yet. But it is clear to us that its triumph is already close.
http://artyx.ru/books/item/f00/s00/z0000003/st014.shtml

Here it is, the famous archaic smile on Athena’s face. (Sculpture from the western pediment of the temple. Around 480 BC)

We admire the noble marble sculptures:

And we are completely unaware that in ancient times they were like this:

Noble warrior Athena:

She is from behind - as the sculptor saw her:

More detailed photos of pediment fragments from the Munich Glyptotek can be viewed at the following links: http://www.aeria.phil.uni-erlangen.de/photo_html/bauplastik/giebel/aegina/westgiebel.html
http://www.aeria.phil.uni-erlangen.de/photo_html/bauplastik/giebel/aegina/westfiguren.html
http://www.aeria.phil.uni-erlangen.de/photo_html/bauplastik/giebel/aegina/ostfiguren.html
http://www.aeria.phil.uni-erlangen.de/photo_html/bauplastik/giebel/aegina/ostgiebel.html
http://www.aeria.phil.uni-erlangen.de/photo_html/bauplastik/giebel/aegina/bruchstuecke.html
http://www.aeria.phil.uni-erlangen.de/photo_html/bauplastik/giebel/aegina/ebene4.html
Glyptothek in Munchen http://www.pbase.com/thh/2004_08_11_glyptothek

Temple surroundings:

This is what Saint Nektarios, who lived here part of his life, wrote about the island at the beginning of the 20th century. “Despite her past and present greatness, Aegina is neither proud nor pretentious. She is beautiful, simple, well-appointed and completely humble. There is little water on it. Sources are extremely rare. There is less rainfall there than in Attica, and yet everything on the island is beautiful and surrounded by greenery. Aegina is a place blessed by God. There are neither rich nor poor here. No one suffers from hunger, everyone is full. The people of Aegina are friendly. In the fields, on the coast, in the valleys, in the mountains, there are white chapels everywhere with lit lamps and icons in silver frames. These chapels, as if grown from the pure hearts of the inhabitants of Aegina, are scattered on this lovely island like some kind of decoration.”

This is the island of Aegina, with its hills and lowlands:

Legend about the island:

The ancient Greeks believed that the island was previously called Enona. He received the name Aegina in honor of the nymph Aegina, with whom the loving Zeus, who took the form of a flame, shared a bed here. Aegina gave birth to a son, Eak, one of the most just kings of Greece. Jealous Hera, who had never gotten used to the constant betrayals of Zeus, planned to exterminate all the inhabitants of the island of Aegina - subjects of Aeacus. She released snakes into all reservoirs, poisoning the water, and sent a destructive south wind to the island, which blew incessantly for four months. The fields and fields dried up, and famine came. Tormented by unbearable thirst, people drank water from poisoned springs and died.

King Aeacus prayed to Zeus to fill the empty land. He asked to give him as many subjects as there were ants crawling on a nearby oak tree. This oak, it must be said, was the sacred tree of Zeus. That same night, in a dream, he saw ants falling from a tree to the ground and turning into people. In the morning Eak left the house and saw a crowd of people. Eak recognized the people from his dream. The snake attack ended, and heavy rain began to fall. Aeacus thanked Zeus and divided the deserted lands among the newcomers, whom he called myrmidons, that is, ants. After which Aeacus reigned happily ever after, and after his death, thanks to his justice, he became one of the three judges of Hades, the underworld. The myth claims that there, in Hades, Aeacus even invented laws for shadows.

You can read about Aegina in 1830 in English:
Travels in Morea
By William Martin Leake, published at London in 1830.
Volume II, Chapter XXI, pages 431-442. Aegina. http://www.geocities.com/classicalbackpacking/leakeaegina.html

Some more text in English about the temple and the goddess to whom it is dedicated:
The Pediment Sculptures from the Temple of Aphaia (500-480) BC http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Arts/Aegina.htm
Athena (Minerva) http://www.uwm.edu/Course/mythology/0500/athena.htm

Photo from the beginning of the 20th century, before the restoration of the temple:

There are also interesting resources for those who read German:
Thomas Gransow Athen und die Halbinsel Attika
10. Aegina
10.2. Der Aphaia-Tempel
Abb. 1 Rekonstruktion des Aphaia-Tempels
http://www.thomasgransow.de/Athen/Aegina/Aphaiatempel.html
http://www.hellenica.de/Griechenland/Bauwerk/Aphaiatempel.html

Image of the sanctuary in 1911:

Now - the promised tale of adventure. While my father and I were taking pictures in front of this temple, a Japanese man approached us...

By gestures pointing to his gray head and his father’s head, he made it clear that they were similar. :-) Later on the ship he found us again:

Compare with a photograph of my father from the same days - the same hairstyle, oval face, thick eyebrows... Two doubles - one from Japan, the other from the other side of the world - from Latvia.

Unhurried, slightly lazily relaxed, hospitable but unobtrusive, the real Greece, so beloved by travelers, appears before us in all its glory on Aegina, one of the most charismatic and amazing islands belonging to this country. Lying in the gentle embrace of the waters of the Saronic Gulf, connected by ferry routes to the mainland and other islands, Aegina is a magnet for lovers of history and antiquities.

Here is one of the “peaks” of the famous triangle with the Athenian Acropolis and the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio - the grandiose, majestic and, at the same time, very airy Temple of Athena Aphaia. The island's rich history and many surviving artifacts, picturesque scenery and good infrastructure make this place attractive to tourists. Although, so far there is no catastrophic influx of visitors, and Aegina retains all the charm of its unique uniqueness.

Atmosphere, beaches and tourist attractions

The island is famous for its excellent climate. It is cool, without stifling heat, in the summer, mild in the winter months, dry and healthy. Elderly people burdened with chronic diseases, as well as children who still find it difficult to tolerate the high humidity and temperature characteristic of the weather at some popular resorts, feel great here.

Beach riches are counted in a dozen names of places for organized recreation, amazing secluded little-visited coves with crystal clear water, the protected island of Moni, lying nearby, 3 km and 8 minutes by boat. The most popular beaches are located near the capital, the town of the same name as the island, in Suvali with hot mineral springs, near the villages of Perdiki, Agia Marina, Vagia and Portesa. In fact, you can sit on a narrow strip of sand under luxurious pine trees, not far from a psarotavern (a cafeteria serving fish dishes) or a beach bar, along many kilometers of Aegina’s coastline.

Organized beaches are well equipped: umbrellas, sunbeds, changing rooms - everything is adapted for convenience. There are opportunities to indulge yourself in the waves and go water skiing. For those who want to try their luck in fishing, it is recommended to visit Moni. This is a nature reserve where people can enjoy picnics, hike in the forest and climb to the top of the mountain. Its western part is an excellent place for spearfishing; the waters here are deep and clear.

Sights of Aegina and Temple of Athena Aphaia

The most famous and visited attraction is the Temple of Athena Aphaia. This wonder of the ancient world is located on a hill overlooking the surrounding area. The ancient Greeks knew how to select sites for their temples; the view that opens amazes and makes you feel the splendor of the picture - the azure waters of the bay, lush greenery, sun and light breeze... Each ancient Doric column individually is heavy and monumental, but the structure as a whole is permeated with light and filled with grace . It's a pity that we can only see ruins.

In the depths of the island there is a significant and sacred structure for the Greeks, a place of pilgrimage - the monastery of St. Nectaria. A little lower, in front of it, a huge church was built in the post-Byzantine style, it was erected not so long ago. To get to the monastery itself, you need to climb the stone stairs. Here you can drink from a holy spring, the water of which is considered healing.

As soon as the traveler steps off the ferry and sets foot on Aegina, he is immersed in an incredibly authentic Greek atmosphere. Houses of cheerful ocher colors, parking of horse-drawn carriages next to modern taxis, taverns, restaurants, coffee shops... An unforgettable experience awaits each of those who come here; relaxation here is subject to a special rhythm of peace and pleasure. When returning, do not forget to buy the legendary Aeghinovian pistachios, salted, fried, dried, sweet, jam from them and kozinaki. This product is famous both in the world and in Greece itself, where pistachios grow almost everywhere.

When Aegina disappears over the horizon, everyone who has ever been here makes a promise to themselves to return...