VILLAGES - AGHIA MARINA
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Aghia Marina is the centre of tourism on Aegina. Originally an extension of the village of Messagros (The Middle Fields) which you pass through on the road to Aghia Marina and which is the fertile area of Aegina where virtually all of the local crops are grown, along with being home to many of the local potteries and where it is rumoured, that Aristo-phones either lived or owned land.


Aghia Marina, once full of vine yards, olive trees and pine forests; has now given way to the development of hotels and apartments as tourism has grown. Due to its proximity, the resort is particularly popular at weekend with Athenians escaping the city.

Named after the small church of Aghia "Marina" at the far end of the island, the resort is only about half an hour on the bus from Aegina town and whilst the scenery may be stunning by bicycle, there are many steep hills to encounter along the way!

There is a wide sandy beach in Aghia Marina for those who prefer shallow waters and on the left of the port, there are many rocks and deeper waters for the more adventurous. It also has the advantage of the surrounding forests which protect it from the Northerly winds.

There are many shops, including those selling the local made pottery and local popular arts in Aghia Marina and also numerous bars and tavernas which are mainly situated along the busy main street, and if you venture a little way out of Aghia Marina to the small village of Alones, there are a few tavernas serving very good Greek food.

Whilst in Aghia Marina, it is worth visiting the temple of Aphaia which is approximately 3km away. Built in local stone, this Doric style temple is well worth a visit despite the fact that the artifacts were removed from it in 1811 by a group of Archeologists from Germany and England who sold them to Ludvich, King of Bavaria and which have, since 1813, been on display in the Munich Glyptotheque. The temple has been described as "the most perfectly developed of the late Archaic temples in European Hellas".

The temple is original in that it is the only surviving Hellenic Temple with a second row of small superimposed columns in the interior of the sanctuary. It was built in the 9th Century BC in celebration of the victory at the battle of Salamis.

From the hill on which it is situated, there is a stunning view of the Aegean and it has been said that if a line were drawn between the temple of Aphaia, the Acropolis and the temple at Sounion, it would reveal an equilateral triangle.

* text by Chant4