Aegina Island Favorites

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Favorite thing: Aegina lies in the centre of the Argosaronic Gulf at the distance about 28 km from Piraeus. When we were going to Poros by cruise ship Giorgis it was situated to the west of our starboard. I could watch its shores very attentively.

We were going back from Hydra Island when Aegina was to the east. So I could watch its opposite shores. Aegina is roughly triangular in shape, approximately 15 km from east to west and 10 km from north to south. An extinct volcano constitutes two thirds of Aegina.

The southern volcanic part of the island is rugged and mountainous, and largely barren. Its highest rise is the conical Mount Oros (more than 500 m) in the south, and the Panhellenian ridge stretches northward with narrow fertile valleys on either side.

Favorite thing: Greek mythology tells us that Aegina was a daughter of the river god Asopus and the nymph Metope. When Zeus abducted Aegina, he took her to Oenone, an island close to Attica. Here, Aegina gave birth to Aeacus, who would later become king of Oenone; henceforth, the island's name Aegina.

It reached the zenith of its development during the VI-th century BC, when, as an independent power, it was the first city in Greece to mint coins.

The island made an important contribution to the war against the Turks in 1821. Aegina was the seat of the first Greek government, under Kapodistria (Russian Greek), before being succeeded in this role by Nafplio. It was the first capital of the New Greek state for almost two years.

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Favorite thing: Aegina Island is most famous in Greece for its pistachio production. You can visit pistachio orchards during your day trip and have a short walk around the trees. At Aegina town, there are dozens of stalls and shops selling local pistachios in bags of every size. You will no doubt be offered free samples by the handful from almost every merchant.

Fondest memory: Enjoy a free sample! I ate so many free samples of pistachios as I walked around the market!
As a result I skipped lunch and just bought something to drink. Of course I also looked for homemade pistachio ice cream, but I couldn't find any at the local cafes and shops.

Favorite thing: Aegina lies almost in the center of the Saronic islands and is the closest island to Athens with the exception of Salamina, just a few miles away.

There are many reasons that made Aegina a popular holiday destination. The beautiful Aegina town, beautiful beaches, traditional architecture, picturesque villages like Agia Marina and Perdika and of course the sanctuary of Aphaia and the famous church of Agios Nektarios next to Paleohora.

Favorite thing: Christos Kapralos (1909 - 1993) is one of my favourite greek sculptors, as i know all his history, because he was born in Panetolio(West Greece), my mothers birthplace.
He studied painting at the Athens School of FINE ARTS ( 1929-1934) and sculpture at the Academies GRAND CHAUMIERE and COLAROSSI , PARIS ( 1934-1940)
In the island of Aegina Capralos since 1963 had his own summer studio , sharing his time between Athens and Aegina.
The Museum is situated 3 km distance from the port of Aegina. In the studios you can see painting, sculptures on the porous stone of Aegina, small sculptures on bronze, teracottas and ceramic.

Favorite thing: In the 5th century the original inhabitants of the island built the temple of Aphaia in the traditional Doric style. It is one of the best preserved, free standing Doric temples. It is especially surprising since this temple is 200 years older than the Parthenon in Athens.

Fondest memory: After returning to Aiginas port, and while waiting for the ferry to Peraias, I take at least half an hour to enjoy my cold frappe, in a cafe, by the harbour, watching people go by....
If I am really in good mood, I can also go for an icecream or so (Superb, Ultimate pleasures ;-))

Fondest memory: That day, on the way back, that captain impressed me somehow. This black scarf on his left hand, declares that he is mourning for the loss of member of his family. He was like out of a Greek movie of the 60's and loved to photo him, but his seriousness discouraged me from any attempt. It took all my courage to achieve that photo.