Anitseo

Located high in the mountains. Anitseo can be reached from the road from Portes or from the road Aegina – Tzikides – Pachia Rachi. Anitseo has a lot of old traditional houses, some new stone built ones and an old mill. There a 2 tavernas that are really populair especially in the weekend.

At 230 metres, this village to the east of Mount Oros is the largest of those ringing Mount Oros. It is a good distance from Aegina town, especially if one takes the route along the east coast from Agia Marina – up to 45 minutes. Both of the roads leading to it offer spectacular views, making for a fine excursion on a sunny day. During the German Occupation of WWII, some its houses were requisitioned by the occupiers, and villagers who took refuge on Mt. Oros were tortured upon return to the village. Some of the 25 souls still living there (in 2003) still remember those difficult years.

As in most of Aegina’s mountain villages, the main pursuits are agriculture and animal raising. There are large olive groves, as well as vineyards, vegetable gardens, chickens, goats and sheep, dogs, cats, mules, and donkeys. Bird life is abundant, with thrushes, quail, woodcocks, partridges – and there are also hares. Many inhabitants are involved in the building trades. The newer stone houses differ from the older ones in the use of cement instead of mortar. Electricity and telephone have reached the village, both related to the paving of the road leading to Anitseo, which has in general made life easier, though lack of public transport and lack of local medical facilities are still major problems (as in Pachia Rachi).

Anitseo has a large church, a chapel, a large ruined windmill, two tavernas, and a local association devoted to the preservation of the village’s local character. It is a popular destination for walking and refreshment (including food, of course).