Aegina, the First Capital of Greece

Last Update: 22 Mar 2021

The Island of Aegina

Aegina, a small island located very close to Athens, is one of the most traditional and picturesque islands of the Saronic Gulf.
The island has stunning ancient monuments and temples, like the Temple of Aphaia, the Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Ellanios Zeus.

The Temple of Aphaia

The Temple of Aphaia, built in the 5th century BC, is located in the north of the island, under pine trees overlooking the beautiful blue sea. The temple was dedicated to Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. It is one of the best-preserved temples of ancient Greece and one of the most important ancient monuments and attractions on Aegina. The location of the temple is said to be one of the three points that form a "holy triangle". Included in this sacred isosceles triangle are the Parthenon of Athens, the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion and the Temple of Aphaia.

The Temple of Apollo Delphinius

The Temple of Apollo, one of the most important archaeological monuments of the island, is located on the hill of Kolona, which was the ancient citadel of the island.

The temple was built in the 6th century BC. It had the shape of a rectangle, with 11 columns on the large side and 6 on the small side. Nowadays, unfortunately, only one column remains of the temple.

Temple of Ellanios Zeus

Mount Hellanion is situated in the center of Aegina, and is the highest mountain of the island. On the top of the mountain was the Temple of Zeus Ellanios (Zeus of all the Greeks).

The mythical king Aeacus of Aegina went to the temple to ask Zeus to put an end to the drought that was afflicting Greece. According to the ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastos, when a cloud settled on the temple of Zeus Hellanios, rain followed.