Aegina - A Jewel of the Saronic Gulf

Because of the quantity of archeological findings, Aegina is undoubtedly a historical island with lots of sights to visit. During the day, you can swim, fish, give into sea sports, eat in taverns above the sea waves and in the evening you can go to the cafes, bars and night clubs of the island. Surely you will taste the famous peanuts of Aegina and the fresh fish and sea food.

The island was first inhabited in the Neolithic Era. This is proven by the stone tools and many clay pots that were found in the settlements on Kolona hill and Messagros, which were established by former inhabitants from the Peloponnese. Around 2100 BC, at the time when the powerful first - Helladic centre of Lerna was in decline, a new population factor from the North appeared. These Middle Helladic people settled in Aigina which become a powerful outpost, defending Attica from sea raiders, but failing to develop into a naval power because of Minoan Cretes naval supremacy. The mountain - dwelling Dryopians, the predominant element in the population in the Late Helladic Era, founded a new settlement at Oros in Aigina and it is said that they have introduced the worship of Hellanian Zeus to southern Greece. In the end of 13th century BC, Aigina took part in the 10-year Trojan War, sending more ships than any other island of the Argosaronic Gulf. During the end of the Mycenean Era, Aigina, now great and powerful, was attacted by the Myceneans, who subjugated the inhabitants. In the middle of 7th century BC, the Calaurian Amphictyony, part of which became Aigina, appeared. At that time the island had close commercial ties with Epidaurus. Around 650 BC, the spark of development was given by the cut of the first silver coin in the Greek area, which established the standards. Aigina developed into a powerful economic and commercial center of Greece and was distinguished for its fine pottery. When, in the beginning of the 5th century BC, the Persian fleet sailed into the Aegean Sea, Aigina offered no resistance and voluntarily cooperated with the Persians, to prevent her commercial dealings with the ports of Asia Minor from being cut off. Aigina's rise was stopped when the Athenian fleet dominated the seas after the Persian Wars. When the Athenians learned, in 459 BC, that the Aiginetans wanted to ally themselves with the Corinthians, the two fleets fought at Cecryphaleia.