The island of Aegina

Aegina is roughly triangular in shape, approximately 15 km (9.3 miles) from east to west and 10 km (6.2 miles) from north to south, with an area of about 87 km² (34 square miles).
Two thirds of Aegina constitutes an extinct volcano. The northern and western side consist of stony but fertile plains, which are well cultivated and produce luxuriant crops of, with some cotton , vines , olives and figs, but the most characteristic crop of Aegina today (2000s) is pistachio Economically, the sponge fisheries are of notable importance. The southern volcanic part of the island is rugged and mountainous, and largely barren. Its highest rise is the conical Mount Oros (531 m) in the south, and the Panhellenian ridge stretches northward with narrow fertile valleys on either side. The beaches are also a popular tourist attraction. Hydrofoil ferries from Piraeus take only forty minutes to reach Aegina; the regular ferry takes about an hour, with ticket prices for adults within the 4-15 Euro range. There are regular bus services from Aegina town to destinations throughout the island such as Agia Marina.

Temple of Aphaia

Aphaia was a Greek goddess who was worshipped exclusively at this sanctuary. The extant temple of c. 500 BC was built over the remains of an earlier temple of c. 570 BCE, which was destroyed by fire c. 510 BCE. The elements of this destroyed temple were buried in the infill for the larger, flat terrace of the later temple, and are thus well preserved. Abundant traces of paint remain on many of these buried fragments. There may have been another temple in the 7th century BCE, also located on the same site, but it is thought to have been much smaller and simpler in terms of both plan and execution. Significant quantities of Late Bronze Age figurines have been discovered at the site, including proportionally large numbers of female figurines (kourotrophoi), indicating – perhaps – that cult activity at the site was continuous from the 14th century BCE, suggesting a Minoan connection for the cult. The last temple is of an unusual plan and is also significant for its pedimental sculptures, which are thought to illustrate the change from Archaic to Early Classical technique. These sculptures are on display in the Glyptothek of Munich, with a number of fragments located in the museums at Aigina and on the site itself.

        Temple of Apollo

At the top of the hill north-west of the port is the ruins of apollo temple. It was built
in the end of 6th century b.c. Excavations around the temple have uncovered
building from 6000 b.c to 1200 a.d. The site is called colona because there is only one column that stands. The site has also a museum worth visiting with a large collection of ceramic pottery, vases, cups and more. Among others a marble head and a couple of sphings are intresting seeing allthough the best foundings from the temples of the island have ended in the British museum, the Munich glipteotheke and private collections around Europe.

Mount Oros

Practically this is were all started.Aeacus, was the king of Aegina , and was known to have contributed help to Poseidon and Apollo in building the walls of Troy . Through him Aegina was the great-grandmother of Achilles, who was son of Peleus , son of Aeacus.

Agios Nektarios

Monastery of Agios Nectarios, dedicated to Saint a recent saint of the Greek Orthodox Church . Aegina is said to have 365 churches because its inhabitants were constantly attacked from pirates as the island was too close to Athens therefore a primary target.

Palaia Hora

Palaia Hora is the abandoned Byzantine capital of the island. The location was chosen as a natural fortress away from the coast due to pirates attacks. On the hill of Palaia Hora remain about 35 churches in good condition, all the other buildings were demolished in purpose to use their materials for constructing new in the modern city of Aegina. The place is being called Mystras of the Islands and is ideal for an evening walk. On the top of the hill you can see remains of the fortress wall as well as the two churches the locals call “the twins” for obvious reasons. The view from the top is outstanding and you can see as far as your aye can. But neither the location nor the brave men could save them from Khairedin Barbarossa's attack on 1537. He massacred all the adult male population and took away 6000 women and children as slaves following the orders of the sultan, Suleiman the magnificent who at that time was in war with Venice.
When the pirate danger no longer existed the painted all the churches in and out white, so everybody can see them but doing that, especially inside, they destroyed some very nice Byzantine frescos dut there still a few to see and If you look carefully you can also see ancient marble from the temples which has being used to build the churches in the first place.