Listed 50 sub titles with search on: Information about the place for wider area of: "EGIALIA Province ACHAIA" .
KRATHIS (River) ACHAIA
Its sources are on the homonymous mountain, which Pausanias calls it Crathis like the river (Paus. 8,15,9) and constitutes the eastern part of the Mt. Aroania. The river is near the ancient city of Aigae and, according to the tradition, it received the waters of the mythical Styx.
EGES (Ancient city) ACHAIA
Aipsai: Eth. Aigaios, Aigeates, Aigaieus. Or Aega (Aiga), a town of
Achaia, and one of the 12 Achaean cities, was situated upon the river Crathis
and upon the coast, between Aegeira and Bura. It is mentioned by Homer, and was
celebrated in the earliest times for its worship of Poseidon. It was afterwards
deserted by its inhabitants, who removed to the neighbouring town of Aegeira;
and it had already ceased to be one of the 12 Achaean cities on the renewal of
the League in B.C. 280, its place being occupied by Ceryneia. Its name does not
occur in Polybius. All traces of Aegae have disappeared, but it probably occupied
the site of the Khan of Akrata, which is situated upon a commanding height rising
from the left bank of the river. Neither Strabo nor Pausanias mention on which
bank of the Crathis it stood, but it probably stood on the left bank, since the
right is low and often inundated.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited May 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
EGHION (Ancient city) ACHAIA
Aegium, Aigion, Ageion: Eth. Aigiens, Aegiensis: Vostitza. A town of Achaia,
and one of the 12 Achaean cities, was situated upon the coast W. of the river
Selinus, 30 stadia from Rhypae, and 40 stadia from Helice. It stood between two
promontories in the corner of a bay, which formed the best harbour in Achaia next
to that of Patrae. It is said to have been formed out of an union of 7 or 8 villages.
It is mentioned in the Homeric catalogue; and, after the destruction of the neighbouring
city of Helice by an earthquake, in B.C. 373, it obtained the territory of the
latter, and thus became the chief city of Achaia. From this time Aegium was chosen
as the place of meeting for the League, and it retained this distinction, on the
revival of the League, till Philopoemen carried a law that the meeting might be
held in any of the towns of the confederacy. Even under the Roman empire the Achaeans
were allowed to keep up the form of their periodical meetings at Aegium, just
as the Amphictyons were permitted to meet at Thermopylae and Delphi. (Paus. vii.
24. § 4.) The meetings were held in a grove near the sea, called Homagyrium or
Homarium, sacred to Zeus Homagyrius or Homarius (Houagnion, Hhouarion; in Strab.
pp. 385, 387, Hhouarion should be read instead of Arnharion and Ainharion). Close
to this grove was a temple of Demeter Panchaea. The words Homagyrium, assembly,
and Homarium, union, 1 have reference to those meetings, though in later times
they were explained as indicating the spot where Agamemnon assembled the Grecian
chieftains before the Trojan War. There were several other temples and public
buildings at Aegium, of which an account is given by Pausanias. (Hom. Il. ii.
574; Herod. i. 145; Pol. ii. 41, v. 93; Strab. pp. 337, 385, seq.; Paus. vii.
23, 24; Liv. xxxviii. 30; Plin. iv. 6.) Vostitza, which occupies the site of the
ancient Aegium, is a place of some importance. It derives its name from the gardens
by which it is surrounded (from bhosta, bosthani, garden). It stands on a hill,
terminating towards the sea in a cliff about 50 feet high. There is a remarkable
opening in the cliff, originally perhaps artificial, which leads from the town
to the ordinary place of embarkation. A great part of the town was destroyed by
an earthquake in 1819, of which an account is given under Helice. The principal
remains of the ancient town have been lately discovered on a hill to the E. of
Vostitza. There are also several fragments of architecture and sculpture, inserted
in the walls of the houses at Vostitza.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited May 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
EGIRA (Ancient city) ACHAIA
Aigeira: Eth. Aigeirhates, fem. Aigeiratis. A town of Achaia, and
one of the 12 Achaean cities, situated between Aegae and Pellene, is described
by Polybius as opposite Mount Parnassus, situated upon hills strong and difficult
of approach, seven stadia from the sea, and near a river. This river was probably
the Crius, which flowed into the sea, a little to the W. of the town. According
to Pausanias the upper city was 12 stadia from its port, and 72 stadia from the
oracle of Heracles Buraicus. (Herod. i. 146; Strab. viii. p. 386; Pol. ii. 41,
iv. 57; Paus. vii. 26. § 1; Plin. iv. 6.) Pausanias (l. c.) relates that Aegeira
occupied the site of the Homeric Hyperesis (Hpspereshie, Il. ii. 573, xv. 254;
Strab. p. 383: Eth. Hupereslens), and that it changed its name during the occupation
of the country by the Ionians. He adds that the ancient name still continued in
use. Hence we find that Icarus of Hyperesia was proclaimed victor in the 23rd
Olympiad. (Paus. iv. 15. § 1.) On the decay of the neighbouring town of Aegae
its inhabitants were transferred to Aegeira. (Strab. p. 386.) In the first year
of the Social war (B.C. 220) Aegeira was surprised by a party of Aetolians, who
had set sail from the opposite town of Oeantheia in Locris, but were driven out
by the Aegiratans after they had obtained possession of the place. (Pol. iv. 57,
58.) The most important of the public buildings of Aegeira was a temple of Zeus.
It also contained a very ancient temple of Apollo, and temples of Artemis, of
Aphrodite Urania, who was worshipped in the town above all other divinities, and
of the Syrian goddess. (Pans. vii. 26.) The port of Aegeira Leake places at Mavra
Litharia, i. e., the Black Rocks, to the left of which, on the summit of a hill,
are some vestiges of an ancient city, which must have been Aegeira. At the distance
of 40 stadia from Aegeira, through the mountains, there was a fortress called
Phelloe (Ellhoe, near Zakhuli), abounding in springs of water. (Paus. vii. 26.
§ 10)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ELIKI (Ancient city) EGIALIA
Helike: Eth. Helikonios (Steph. B. s. v.); Helikeus (Strab.viii.).
A town in Achaia, and one of the 12 Achaean cities, was situated on the coast
between the rivers Selinus and Cerynites, and 40 stadia E. of Aegium. It seems
to have been the most ancient of all the cities in Achaia. Its foundation is ascribed
to Ion, who is said to have made it his residence, and--to have called it after
his wife Helice, the daughter of Selinus. It possessed a celebrated temple of
Poseidon, who was hence called Heliconins; and here the Ionians were accustomed
to hold those periodical meetings which were continued in Asia Minor under the
name of Panionia. After the conquest of the country by the Achaeans, the latter
likewise made Helice the place of meeting of their League, and it continued to
be their capital till the destruction of the city by an earthquake in B.C. 373,
two years before the battle of Leuctra. This earthquake happened in the night.
The city and a space of 12 stadia below it sank into the earth, and were covered
over by the sea. All the inhabitants perished, and not a vestige of Helice remained,
except a few fragments projecting from the sea. Its territory was taken possession
of by Aegium. The neighbouring city of Bura was destroyed by the same earthquake.
The catastrophe was attributed to the vengeance of Poseidon, whose wrath was excited
because the inhabitants of Helice had refused to give their statue of Poseidon
to the Ionian colonists in Asia, or even to supply them with a model. According
to some authorities, the inhabitants of Helice and Bura had even murdered the
Ionian deputies.
On the 23rd of August, 1817, the same spot was again the scene of
a similar disaster. The earthquake was preceded by a sudden explosion, which was
compared to that of a battery of cannon. The shock which immediately succeeded
was said to have lasted a minute and a:.half, during which the sea rose at the
mouth of the Selinus, and extended so far as to inundate all the level immediately
below Vostitza (the ancient Aegium). After its retreat not a trace was left of
some magazines which had stood on the shore, and the sand which had covered the
beach was all carried away. In Vostitza 65 persons lost their lives, and two thirds
of the buildings were entirely ruined. Five villages in the plain were destroyed.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited May 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
KERYNIA (Ancient city) ACHAIA
Keruneia, also Kerunia, Keraunia, Kerauneia, &c.: Eth. Keruneus. A
town of Achaia, was not originally one of the 12 Achaean cities, though it afterwards
became so, succeeding to the place of Aegae. Its population was increased by a
large body of Mycenaeans, when the latter abandoned their city to the Argives
in 468. Ceryneia is mentioned as a member of the League on its revival in B.C.
280; and one of its citizens, Marcus, was chosen in 255 as the first sole General
of the League. In the time. of Strabo, Ceryneia was dependent upon Aegium. It
was situated inland upon a lofty height, W. of the river Cerynites (Bokhusia),
and a little S. of Helice. Its ruins have been discovered on the height, which
rises above the left bank of the Cerynites, just where it issues from the mountains
into the plain. (Pol. ii. 41, 43; Paus. vii. 6. § 1, vii. 25. § 5; Strabo.) Theophrastus
stated that the wine of Ceryneia produced abortion. (Theophr. Hist. Plant. ix.
20)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
RYPES (Ancient city) EGIALIA
Hpupai, : Eth. Rhups, Hpupos. A city of Achaia, 30 stadia W. of Aegium,
was originally one of the twelve Achaean cities. It had ceased to be a member
of the League in the time of Polybius, who mentions Leontium in its place. Rhypes,
however, continued to exist down to the time of Augustus; but this emperor transferred
its inhabitants to Patrae, and its territory (Rhupis, or he Hpupike) was divided
between Aegium and Pharae. Its ruins were seen by Pausanias at a short distance
from the main road from Aegium to Patrae. We learn from Strabo that this town
was mentioned by Aeschylus as keraunias Hpupas, or Rhypes stricken by the thunderbolt.
It was the birthplace of Myscellus, the founder of Croton. (Herod. i. 145; Paus.
vii. 6. § 1, vii. 18. § 7, vii. 23. § 4; Strab. viii. pp. 386, 387.) In the territory
of Rhypes there was a demus called Leuctrum (Leuktron, Strab. p. 387), and also
a seaport named Erineum (Erineon, or Erineos limen) which is mentioned by Thucydides,
and which is described by Pausanias as 60 stadia from Aegium. (Thuc. vii. 34;
Paus. vii. 22. § 10; Plin. iv. 6.) The geographers of the French Commission place
Rhypes at some ruins on the right bank of the river Tholo, where it issues into
the plain; and the distance of the position on the Tholo from Vostitza (Aegium)
is that which Pausanias assigns as the interval between Aegium and Rhypes. But
Leake, thinking it highly improbable that two of the chief cities of Achaia should
have been only 30 stadia from each other, suspects the accuracy of Pausanias or
his text, as to the distance between Rhypes and Aegium. He accordingly places
Rhypes further W. on the banks of the river of Salmeniko, and supposes Erineum
to have been its port and to have been situated immediately above it at the harbour
of Lambiri. The position of Lambiri answers very well to that of Erineum; but
the reason given by Leake does not appear sufficient for rejecting the express
statement of Pausanias as to the distance between Aegium and Rhypes. (Leake, Peloponnesiaca,
p. 408)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
STYX (Waterfall) EGIALIA
Styx (Stux), a waterfall descending from a lofty rock in the Aroanian
mountains, above Nonacris, a town in the NE. of Arcadia, in the district of Pheneus.
The water descends perpendicularly in two slender cascades, which, after winding
among a labyrinth of rocks, unite to form a torrent that falls into the Crathis.
It is by far the highest waterfall in Greece; the scenery is one of wild desolation;
and it is almost impossible to climb over the rocks to the foot of the cascade.
The wildness of the scenery, the inaccessibility of the spot, and the singularity
of the waterfall made at an early period a deep impression upon the Greeks, and
invested the Styx with superstitious reverence. It is correctly described by both
Homer and Hesiod. The former poet speaks of the down-flowing water of the Styx
(to kateibomenon Stugos hudor, Il. xv. 37), and of the lofty torrents of the Styx
(Stugos hudatos aipa rheethra, Il. viii. 369). Hesiod describes it as a cold stream,
which descends from a precipitous lofty rock (hudor psuchron ho t ek petres kataleibetai
elibatoio hupseles, Theog. 785), and as the perennial most ancient water of the
Styx, which flows through a very rugged place (Stugos aphthiton hudor ogugion,
to d lesi katastuphelou dia chorou, Theog. 805). The account of Herodotus, who
does not appear to have visited the Styx, is not so accurate. He says that the
Styx is a fountain in the town Nonacris; that only a little water is apparent;
and that it dropt from the rock into a cavity surrounded by a wall (vi. 74). In
the same passage Herodotus relates that Cleomenes endeavoured to persuade the
chief men of Arcadia to swear by the waters of the Styx to support him in his
enterprise. Among the later descriptions of this celebrated stream that of Pausanias
(viii. 17. § 6) is the most full and exact. Not far from the ruins of Nonacris,
he says, is a lofty precipice higher than I ever remember to have seen, over which
descends water, which the Greeks call the Styx. He adds that when Homer represents
Hera swearing by the Styx, it is just as if the poet had the water of the stream
dropping before his eyes. The Styx was transferred by the Greek and Roman poets
to the invisible world [see Dict. of Gr. and Rom. Biogr. and Myth. art. Styx];
but the waterfall of Nonacris continued to be regarded with superstitious terrors;
its water was supposed to be poisonous; and it was believed that it destroyed
all kinds of vessels, in which it was put, with the exception of those made of
the hoof of a horse or an ass. There was a report that Alexander the Great had
been poisoned by the water of the Styx. (Arrian, Anab. vii. 27; Plut. Alex. 77,
de Prim. Frig. 20. p. 954; Paus. viii. 18. § 4; Strab. viii. p. 389; Aelian, H.
An. x. 40; Antig. Hist. Mirab. 158 or 174; Stob. Ecl. Phys. i. 52. § 48; Plin.
ii. 103. s. 106, xxx. 16. s. 53, xxxi. 2. s. 19; Vitruv. viii. 3; Senec. Q. N.
iii. 25.) The belief in the deleterious nature of the water continues down to
the present day, and the inhabitants of the surrounding villages relate that no
vessel will hold the water. It is now called ta Mauraneria, or the Black Waters,
and sometimes ta Drako-neria or the Terrible Waters. (Leake, Morea, vol. iii.
p. 160, seq.; Fiedler, Reise durch Griechenland, vol. i. p. 400, who gives a drawing
of the Styx; Curtius, Peloponnesos, vol. i. p. 195.)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited July 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
VOURA (Ancient city) DIAKOPTO
Boura: Eth. Bouraios, Bourios. A town of Achaia, and one of the 12
Achaean cities, situated on a height 40 stadia from the sea, and SE. of Helice.
It is said to have derived its name from Bura, a daughter of Ion and Helice. Its
name occurs in a line of Aeschylus, preserved by Strabo. It was swallowed up by
the earthquake, which destroyed Helice, B.C. 373, and all its inhabitants perished
except those who were absent from the town at the time. On their return they rebuilt
the city, which was visited by Pausanias, who mentions its temples of Demeter,
Aphrodite, Eileithyia and Isis. Strabo relates that there was a fountain at Bura
called Sybaris, from which the river in Italy derived its name. On the revival
of the Achaean League in B.C. 280, Bura was governed by a tyrant, whom the inhabitants
slew in 275, and then joined the confederacy. A little to the E. of Bura was the
river Buraicus; and on the banks of this river, between Bura and the sea, was
an oracular cavern of Heracles surnamed Buraicus. (Herod. i. 145; Pol. ii. 41;
Strab. pp. 386, 387, and 59; Diod. xv. 48; Paus. vii. 25. § 8, seq.) The ruins
of Bura have been discovered nearly midway between the rivers of Bokhusia (Cerynites),
and of Kalavryta (Buraicus) near Trupia. (Leake, Morea, vol. iii. p. 399, Peloponnesiaca,
p. 387.) Ovid says that the ruins of Bira, like those of Helice, were still to
be seen at the bottom of the sea; and Pltny makes the same assertion. (Ov. Met.
xv. 293; Plin. ii. 94.) Hence it has been supposed that the ancient Bura stood
upon the coast, and after its destruction was rebuilt inland; but neither Pausanias
nor Strabo states that the ancient city was on the coast, and their words render
it improbable.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
EGES (Ancient city) ACHAIA
A town in Achaea, with a celebrated temple of Poseidon, originally one of the twelve Achaean towns; but its inhabitants subsequently removed to Aegira.
ELIKI (Ancient city) EGIALIA
One of the chief cities of Achaia, situated on the shore of
the Sinus Corinthiacus, near Bura. It was celebrated for the temple and worship
of Poseidon, thence called Heliconius. Here, also, the general meeting of the
Ionians was convened, while yet in the possession of Aegialus, and the festival
which then took place is supposed to have resembled that of the Panionia, which
they instituted afterwards in Asia Minor. A tremendous influx of the sea, caused
by a violent earthquake, overwhelmed and completely destroyed Helice two years
before the battle of Leuctra, B.C. 373. The details of this catastrophe will be
found in Pausanias and Aelian. Eratosthenes, as Strabo reports, beheld the site
of this ancient city, and he was assured by sailors that the bronze statue of
Poseidon was still visible beneath the waters, holding an hippocampus, or sea-horse,
in his hand, and that it formed a dangerous shoal for their vessels. Two thousand
workmen were afterwards sent by the Achaeans to recover the dead bodies, but without
success.
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NONAKRIS (Ancient city) EGIALIA
A town in the north of Arcadia, surrounded by lofty mountains, in which the river Styx took its origin. From this town Evander is called Nonacrius, Atalanta Nonacria, Callisto Nonacrina virgo, and Hermes Nonacriates, in the general sense of Arcadian.
RYPES (Ancient city) EGIALIA
One of the twelve cities of Achaia, situated between Aegium and Patrae. It was destroyed by Augustus, and its inhabitants removed to Patrae.
STYX (Waterfall) EGIALIA
Styx (Stux). A name connected with the verb stugeo, to hate
or abhor, and applied to the principal river in the nether world, around which
it flows seven times. Styx is described as a daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. As
a nymph she dwelt at the entrance of Hades, in a lofty grotto which was supported
by silver columns. As a river, Styx is described as a branch of Oceanus, flowing
from its tenth source; and the river Cocytus again is a branch of the Styx. By
Pallas, Styx became the mother of Zelus, Nike, Bia, and Cratos. She was the first
of all the immortals who took her children to Zeus, to assist him against the
Titans; and, in return for this, her children were allowed forever to live with
Zeus, and Styx herself became the divinity by whom the most solemn oaths were
sworn. When one of the gods had to take an oath by Styx, Iris brought a cup full
of water from the Styx, and the god, while taking the oath, poured out the water.
This text is from: Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities. Cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
VOURA (Ancient city) DIAKOPTO
One of the twelve original cities of Achaea, formerly situated near the sea; but having been destroyed by an earthquake, it was rebuilt by the survivors about forty stadia from the shore, on the river Buraicus.
SYMBOLITIA (Municipality) ACHAIA
DIAKOPTO (Municipality) EGIALIA
SYMBOLITIA (Municipality) ACHAIA
KLOKOS (Mountain) EGIALIA
It (the town of Ceryneia) is built on a mountain above the high road, and its name was given to it either by a native potentate or by the river Cerynites, which, flowing from Arcadia and Mount Ceryneia, passes through this part of Achaia.
AKRATA (Small town) ACHAIA
A seaside village in a wonderful physical environment and with clear
seas. It is 71 klm away from Patra.
The city, which was named after the river Krathi,
is at the position of the ancient city of Eges.
The post-Byzantine convent of the Holy Trinity which was built in
1715. Its wall paintings are in a good condition. There are many important heirlooms,
portable icons, ecclesiastic books and a hand made Gospel of 1672. Many of the
cells have been built on ancient remains.
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EGHIO (Town) ACHAIA
It is the second largest city of the prefecture, 41klm from Patra.
It is situated at the position of the ancient city which had been inhabited since
the Prehistoric Age.
Aegio was built by the Pelasgous and it was named after Aigos who
had nourished Zeus at that place. Later it was colonized by the Ions and it was
greatly developed during the Historic Period, especially after the destruction
of the neighboring city, Eliki.
It was then that Egio became the capital of the Achaic Association.
In 146 BC it was subjugated by the Romans, right after the conquest
of Korinthos and later by
various invaders and conquerors. During the Byzantine Age it was renamed "Vostitsa".
As it was a religious and administrative center, it became the capital
of the Achaic Association (276 BC). This city never lost its importance despite
the barbarian invasions and the Franc Rule (1209-1422). Its development was continued
even during the Turkish Rule. Aegio was the first city that was liberated during
the Revolution of 1821 (26 March). The old part of the city is quite interesting.
Worth seeing places
Panagia Faneromeni is the Holy Metropolis of Aegion. The church of
the presentation of the Virgin is the oldest church of the city. The first church
was built in 1366, destroyed by earthquakes and rebuilt greater based on plans
of Ernst Ziller. The painter Kostas Fanellis decorated the church with fine Byzantine
icons.
The monastery
of Taxiarches Angels is also a work of art. The first one was funded in 1712,
but it was destroyed by fire in the ages of the Turk occupation. Today's temple
dates from 1896 and it is also decorated by the painter Kostas Fanellis. A work
of art is the temple of Eisodia, also based on plans of Ernst Ziller.
One of the loveliest places for the visitor to enjoy the view to the
Corinthian Gulf is the square
of Psila Alonia. A square full of flowers and trees, that holds a special place
in the center of Aegion. In the center of the square the building of Municipal
cafe is placed. It is an imposing tower-like building, surrounded by trees, pine
trees and flowers, and it gives special beauty to the city. This "tower"
has been designed in Venetian style and is "represents" the traditional
town style. Across the square one can also find a lovely park with the monument
of the lost soldier in front. It represents Mother Greece holding in her arms
a solder who died for his country (sculptured by Dmitriadis).
Near the port the historic Plane tree of Vostitsa stands next to twelve
fountains, where water flows from twelve lion heads. The famous archaeologist
Eric Sleaman, in his book Troy and Peloponnese, reports this plane tree and says
that it dates back in the year 1450 or more. Pausanias did not report the tree
in his Achaecs's, but he did report the fountains nearby. Scientists estimate
that the age of the plane tree is more than 600 years. During these years, it
had a 12 m. circumference of torso and 50 m. wide branches.
Ascending from the railroad station to Aegio, one can see the famous
steps of the old city. 172 stony steps, which were built in 1901, have the width
of a normal street and connect the downtown and the port with the upper main city.
The port of Aegion, with a long history, dates from 373 BC.
The nice road made with stony plates leads from the plane tree to
the Archaeological Museum
of Aegion. The museum houses the restored neoclassical agora, designed by
Ernst Ziller. Its area is 880 square meters and, according to an inscription that
can be found at the north side, it was built in 1890.
The famous church of Panagia Trypiti (fountain of life) is located
on the waterfront. 150 steps lead up to the asceterion, a small cave. It was here
that the Miraculous Icon of the Mother of God was discovered. It is an art of
Osios Lucas. According to tradition, during the 17th century a voyager was shipwrecked
off the shores of the Corinthian Gulf. In the darkness of the night he discerned
a light near the shore. Gathering up all his strength, he finally made his way
ashore and reached the place where the light shone. As he approached the spot,
he was amazed to find himself before an icon of the Virgin in front of which a
lamp was burning. The voyager erected a small chapel on the spot, which developed
into a renewed Monastery. Panagia Trypiti became the protector and Patron Saint
of the Christians of the area, and a National Shrine. Her feast day is the Friday
of the week after Easter, and after a divine service in the central square of
Aegion, a litany follows.
One of the few but major ecological places is the semi salt lagoon
of Aliki. It is an essential ecosystem that lies three kilometers east of the
town, and occupies 180 acres. Its vital position, connecting east Greece to the
west, is very important for the rare species and birds that visit the lake every
year. Aliki's ecosystem can be divided in tree subsystems: a) the main lagoon,
b) the coast zone, c) the cultivated fields. The Aliki ecosystem is very important
because it offers opportunities to various species that are in the danger of elimination.
After calculations, scientists estimate that 210 various birds live there.
Beaches
The beach nearest to the city is Aliki, it is a good place for swimming
and sunbathing. Following a small road along the coast eastward, one passes the
train station and Saint Nicholas church. There are cafes and restaurants, bus
connection as well. The first village on the west is Rododafni
and turning to the right you can find the seashore village Akoli at 4 km. Akoli
has become a popular seaside resort, especially with young people. The village
has rooms to rent, taverns and vivid nightlife in the summer. Another popular
beach is Selianitika and Loggos
in about 10 km from Aegio. There you can find hotels, rooms to rent, restaurants
and taverns. There are many coffee shops and bars even an open-air cinema. Lampiri
is situated 16 km from Aegio with well-known coast and tourist facilities.
Leaving Aegio eastward one can arrive at these beaches: Digeliotika,
Temeni (long history, nice
houses, pebbly beach), Valimitika
(5km), Nikoleika, Rodia,
Elaionas (Tripia), Pounta
(Trapeza beach), Diakofto
(12 km).
Tourist places
Psila Alonia is the biggest and most known square of Aegion. From
that point the view to Corinthian gulf is magnificent. It is a place of gathering,
entertainment and the place for various cultural events (Elikia Anthestiria festivals).
One can find coffee-shops, restaurants, and the evergreen park of the city with
many plants and a lovely small pool.
The archaeological Museum of Aegion is located in the east side of
the neoclassical agora of Aegion. There are 6 rooms where the exhibits are set
out in chronological order from the Neolithic to the Roman period. The finds come
mainly from Aegion and the other villages of Aigialeia (Aigeira,
Keryneia, Rypes
and others). The exhibition follows a chronological order so that it can demonstrate
the historical events and the variations in art of every historic season. Aspecial
place is dedicated to the marble statue of Zeus Aigiochos (1st century BC). The
main room can hold up to 300 persons, and it is dedicated to the memory of Melina
Mercouri.
The History and Folk Museum, is hosted in a traditional stony house
that belonged to the historic family of Lontos. It covers a large historic period
(from the Turk occupation until today) of Aigialia, preserving the local tradition
and cultural heritage.
The building of the Town Hall is also an old reconstructed building
as well as the building of cultural center, that was used first as hospital.
The Agia Lavra square in the center of Aegion, is also in the center
of the economical and commercial life of Aegion.
This text is cited December 2004 from the West Greece Region General Secretariat URL below, which contains image.
NONAKRIS (Ancient city) EGIALIA
EGHION (Ancient city) ACHAIA
Aigion. Lies some 45 km E of Patras and 96.5 km NE of Corinth. Inhabited from
very earliest antiquity, it was formed of the synoecism of seven or eight earlier
cities (Strab 8.3.2), and was, according to Homer (Il. 2.574), a part of the domain
of Agamemnon in heroic times. During the Classical period it was reckoned one
of the twelve cities of Achaia (Hdt. 1.145), and, at least after the destruction
of Helike (Strab. 8.7.2) in 373, it became the meeting place of the Achaian League,
a position it held at least until the time of Pausanias (7.24.4). Its importance
declined after the Augustan period when Patrai became the chief city of the area.
The modern city is built over the ancient and has largely obliterated
any traces of ancient remains. Pausanias (7.22.5-24.4) mentions a number of sanctuaries,
of which no traces remain in situ. It is possible that some architectural members
of some of these buildings have been found built into a later building of Roman
times located near the old reservoir and N along Solomos St. The Classical cemetery
was located NW of the reservoir, while the Mycenaean necropolis with a number
of chamber tombs lies N of the gymnasium in the embankment of the main highway.
Finds, mainly pottery and minor objects from Mycenaean and Hellenistic tombs and
buildings, have, since 1954, been housed in a local apotheke and in the Patras
Museum.
W. F. Wyatt, Jr., ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Oct 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
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