Aegina Island

According to Greek legend, Aegina is named for the most beautiful of the twenty daughters of Asopos, the river god, who eloped with Zeus to the then deserted island. Evidence of habitation on the island dates to as early as 3500 B.C. The island enjoyed strong economic and social growth between around 900 B.C. and 480 B.C., including minting the first coins anywhere in Greece during the 7th. Century B.C. In more modern times, Aegina was briefly the first “capital” of modern Greece from 1827 – 1829.

The island has numerous points of interest, including Agios Nektarios Church and Monastery, the Temple of Aphaia, the medieval Village of Paleachora, the archeological site of Kolona, , the Tower of Markellos, various villages and monumentual buildings, the House of Rodakis in Mesagros, the house of Nikos Kazantzakis, and the pottery in Mesagros.

For more information about Aegina, please visit www.aeginagreece.com.