Aegina

1. Aegina Island of Pistachios

2. Athens to Aegina: 40 minutes by high speed boat 65 minutes by ferry

3. Capital: Aegina (same name as the island) Population: 10,000 Highest Mountain: Mt. Oros, 532 meters Size: 83 square kilometers Distance from Athens: 26 kilometers Coordinates: 37°45’N23°26’E Geography: two-thirds of Aegina is an extinct volcano Aegina Facts

4. A little bit of history… Aegina’s strategic location between Attica and the Peloponnese made the island a key player in the trade routes of the Greek seas. Minoan ceramics from Crete have been found here dating back to 2000 BC. Aegina’s greatest prosperity was from 657-459 BC. In this period The Temple of Aphaia was built and remains in remarkably good condition.

5. AND A little MORE history… Throughout the centuries, Aegina has been occupied by foreign invaders, such as, the Roman Empire, the Crusaders, the Venetians, and the Ottoman Empire. After the Greek Revolution against the Ottomans, in 1830 Aegina became the first capital of free Greece. The first modern drachma was also minted here.

6. Ancient Sites to See in Aegina Temple of Aphaia The Temple of Aphaia, built in 480 BC, lies inland on a hill surrounded by pine trees with terrific views of the sea. It is one of the best preserved temples in Greece and for this reason is included in any EcoAthens tour to Aegina. Palaiochoradates from the Byzantine era. In 1537, the pirate Barbarossa seized the town and looted its many churches, causing the inhabitants to flee. Today, Palaiochora is an abandoned village that you can visit hiking on one of the island’s numerous footpaths. Palaiochora

7. Explore Aegina’s Pristine Nature EleonasValley, a sacred place Eleonasmeans olive grove and in this mountain valley are an abundance of old gnarly olive trees so distinctive you feel like baptizing each one with its own name. Scientists have carbon dated the bark of some Eleonas trees to be over 400 years old.

8. Nature in Aegina-- Moni Island Moni is just ten minutes by boat from Aegina, but feels worlds away. It is uninhabited by man but its forested terrain is populated with deer so tame they eat from your hand.  The island also has wild peacocks, goats and rabbits. The crystal clear turquoise sea makes Moni a popular destination for divers. For hikers, there is a path to the highest point on the island. During World War II, the Germans occupied Moni and built a bunker atop the mountain, and it is still there.

9. Aegina Pistachio Festival Aegina is famous for its pistachios even though cultivation likely did not begin on a mass scale until after World War II. In 1996, the name “pistachio of Aegina” was registered with the European Union as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The Greek word for pistachios is “fistikia.” Every September during harvest islanders celebrate the Aegina Fistiki Festival - four days of food, drink, music, dance, theatre and art. More than 20,000 visitors descend on Aegina and patronize booths featuring pistachio liqueurs, pistachio cookies, pistachio ice cream, and bags and bags of green and red pistachios.

10. Aegina offers low impact eco-activities Horseback riding for experienced riders on the mountain paths, or lessons for beginners Bike along coastal roads or off road in the hills Hike on paths to see the islands old cisterns Enjoy snorkeling, diving and sailing in Aegina’s crystal clear waters

11. Participate in Aegina’s nature based organizations Hellenic Wildlife Hospital The Hospital treats and rehabilitates up to 4,000 injured animals from all over Greece, including endangered species like falcons, eagles and vultures. Join us for a tour of the hospital and you can even have a chance to work directly with the wild animals. The Peliti Seed Bank After Spain, Greece has Europe’s richest biodiversity and members of Peliti intend to keep it that way. They reproduce and germinate original seeds. Local seed swaps share heritage seeds with rural and urban farmers. A branch of Peliti operates in Aegina and you can visit the members and learn how they save seeds from extinction or genetic erosion.

12. Meet Aegina Artists & Artisans NektariosGkarisis probably the last traditional potter in Aegina. He uses the ancient practice of producing his own clay for pottery rather than ordering it from abroad. He learned the craft from his father and is willing to share some of these family secrets with foreign guests in one of his pottery workshops or a private lesson. Discover how Marina Coroliano produces handmade organic olive oil soap by visiting her Cool Soap workshop.   She began the business in 2012 and uses all natural ingredients creatively combined to make such aromatic soaps as jasmine & cedar, green clay & lavender or charcoal & rosemary.

13. Klidonas Aegina Customs Celebrated on June 24, young girls fill a pitcher which never held water before with “silent water.” They do not speak and are not spoken to. Both sexes throw personal items like jewelry into the water as a divination. Then they would light wreathes on fire and jump over the flames. The purpose is to determine their loved one. Another similar custom on June 24 has girls taking a mirror to a well, holding it to reflect the sun’s rays in the water, and the face of the man they will marry appears. Leidonas Celebrated on September 14, Leidonas is an agricultural feast with pagan roots marking the end of summer farm work and summer habits, like the afternoon nap and meal at dusk, or “Leidino,” as Aeginetans call it. Women prepare the “leidino,” consisting of wheat, raisins, pomegranates, almonds, chick peas and parsley. Other women make a straw-filled effigy who is buried at sunset and the grave opened three days later. The custom represents the death of plants.

14. Don’t Miss Aegina’s Cultural Highlights Aegina Archaeology Museum founded 1828 by IoannisKapodistrias, Greece’s first administrator. Markello’s Tower housed the first Greek government 1816-1828 Hill of Kolonalast remnant of Temple of Apollo, built 520 BC. Visible right on the sea. Nikos Kazantzakis house one-timehome of the author of “Zorba the Greek”. St. NektariosMonastery St. Nektarios, a healer whose holy day is November 9. Christos KapralosMuseum houses the works of a modern Greek sculptor.

15. Agistri Island Only ten minutes by boat from Aegina is little Agistri island, only 5 ½ kilometers long and 3 ½ kilometers wide. It is the smallest island in the Argo Saronic. Agistriis blessed with hidden coves, pine trees approaching the sea, many hills and stunning blue waters. The population has 1000 residents which swells to 5000 in the summer. There are three villages on the island, seven churches and ten beaches. Agistriis a popular getaway destination for Athenians and visitors to Athens who want a tranquil weekend in nature.