AEGINA > HISTORY

According to archaeological research the first residents of the island were from Peloponnese. They came to Aegina around 3500 B.C.

From then until the end of the 12th B.C. of century, Aegina accepted, in succession, the effects of Cretan and Mykinina culture, creating thus her own unique culture. During the distribution of the Byzantine state, Aegina was to be given to the Venetians, but, finally, it was given to King Bonifatios.

In 1452 Alioto Kaopena, who ruled Aegina at this time, joined with the Venetians in order to avoid the threat of Turkish raids.

In 1451, after the death of Alioto Kaopena, Aegina came under the power of Venetians. In the revolution 1821, Aegina was actively involved in the fight for freedom.

In January 1828 Aegina became the first capital of the new Greek state.

On 26 January 1828 Kapodistrias took oath in the Metropolitan temple of Aegina as the first governor of Greece and Aegina became the administrative, commercial and intellectual centre of the newly established Greek state.