Photoshooting at the city of waves

Somewhere amongst Patras and Korinth, along a highway road renowned for the physical beauty that surrounds it, you will come across a charming "city of the waves" (from the verb (in Greek) aisso: moving impetuously - because of the frequent earthquakes in the area or the gulf of Korinth that wets its coastline).

Aigio is one of the oldest cities of Greece, which in a different story and according to mythology, might have also been named after the goat (aiga) that fed baby Zeus. It is built amphitheatrically on a stony hill and has a population of 30.000. It's location is idyllic, only 39 klm from Patras and 175 klm from Athens and just a few minutes away from Kalavrita and the mountains of Korinth, popular winter resorts.

Aigio was built by the Pelasgous, the Iones settled in the area later and it was finally taken over by the Achaians. It had always been in the center of historic and cultural events, surpassing other cities of Achaia. Ancient Eliki, the famous city that, due to a catastrophic earthquake, sank entirely under the sea in 373 B.C, was only a ghost until the recent discovery of the Temple of Elikonian Poseidon, located roughly 7,5 klm from Aigio. Following the destruction of Eliki, Aigio became the center of "Achaiki Sympoliteia", while many years later the National Assembly that declared the famous Troyan Expedition took place also in Aigio. In 146 B.C. the city was taken over by the Romans. The following history describes many different invaders and conquerors. During the Byzantine Period, the Slavs took over Aigio and changed its name to "Vostitsa". What's important, though, is that it never lost its importance and continued to grow.

Pavsanias described a blooming city full of culture and temples, statues, galleries and thickets, all dedicated to the 12 Gods. Aigio was the first Greek city to liberate from the 1715 Turkish Rule as it also hosted the legendary "Secret Assembly" in which the 1821 Revolution was declared.

The city has elected distinguished politicians and military men while showing off, until today, some of the greatest buildings of Greece. The Temple of Virgin Mary (Panagia Tripiti), a monumental structure, built on a rock, which actually divides uptown (center) of downtown (port). The Αrchaeological Museum, a unique piece of work by the great German architect Ernest Chiller, which operated as the Local Market until the 70's. The Metropolitan Temple of Aigio-Virgin Mary Faneromeni, covered with artworks by Konstantinos Fanelis, and also the Temple of Presentation of the Virgin, are another two mnemonic works by Chiller very much worth visiting. Ipsila Alonia, the "Balcony to the Gulf of Corinth", is a true masterpiece in the city center, with the gothic style castle in the middle and the stunning surrounding landscape.

The nicest walk around the city starts downtown, right next to the seaside and the little square with the balcony and the famous Pavsanias Platan tree, estimated 600 years old! Take the stairs to the seaside and discover the 12 fountains that the great historian talked about. Then, walk along the coastline and the railways, enjoy the calming sea breeze up until the OSE train station and go on the 172 "Steps of Filopoimenos" that connect the seaside to the city center. Alternatively, you can go uptown using the "Tembelorachi", a graduated stony passage with the best view to the Gulf of Corinth and the distanced mountains of central Greece. "Agias Lavras" square (the oldest square in the city), the Roman cemetery, the little theater with its summer festivals, the Panagiotopoulos Mansion and the City Hall, are also places worth visiting.

Then again, if you find yourself in Aigio during summertime don't miss out on a swim in the "Blue Flag" awarded beaches, Aliki and Digeliotika. On your way home, make sure to pick up some of the precious local agricultural products like olives, olive oil, raisins, pulses and the well-known "Asprolithi" wine from the standard winery in Selinounda village.