Aigio
Encyclopedia
Aigio is a town and a former municipality
in Achaea
, West Greece, Greece
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia
, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. Its population is around 30,000. Aigio is surrounded by trees in the north and cliffs in the northwest. The city can be accessed by GR-8A from the south and west. Mountains neighbor the southern part. The commune was known as Vostitsa or Vostizza from the Middle Ages until the 20th century and in medieval French Vostice.
Of the several town squares, the largest one, with barbecue
restaurants, fine shops, and nearby churches, has shade trees and many tables under colorful umbrellas. Another is located close to the hospital. There is also a circle-shaped town square close to the city hall, with bushes and a fountain, located on the old highway. The city has a hospital found slightly west of the city, and a rest area situated south of the city at GR-8A/E65. Charming residential houses surround the city and flourish in the western part of Aigio, making it a popular destination for Athenians and others alike. The townspeople are friendly, and the small restaurants inexpensive: some are covered with heavy grape vines. Typical traditional Greek cuisine includes spit-roasted lamb, mutton, lambs-heads, pulled pork, and the ubiquitous fish dishes, served with Greek salad loaded with feta cheese and olives, home-baked bread, and the local red wine, which is of good quality. Orange and lemon trees grow in most yards, and irrigation from small, open canals keeps the city greener than most. Persons in wheelchairs cannot navigate the steep hills and rough pavements of Aigio.
settlement. Aegium was founded during Homer
ic times. It became a part of the Achaean League
in around 800 BC. During that period, it had several Olympic athletes including Straton (Στράτων), Athenodorus (Αθηνόδωρος) and more. From 330 BC until 281 BC, it was part of the Kingdom of Macedonia. It was later the capital of the Achaean League
from 281 BC until the annexation with the Roman Empire
in 146 BC, after the fall of Greece, the Romans removed the wall of the city and Aigio lost its importance. Aegium took the territory of Helike
. Aegium split from the Roman Empire and became a part of the Eastern Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Age
, during that time, it was renamed Vostitsa (Βοστίτσα) after the Slavic invasion in 805, its origin of the name came from the Old Church Slavonic
words vosta and vostan which meant the city of gardens or the garden city.
in the 13th century and later in the 1457 joined the Ottoman Empire
with brief interruptions by the Venetians from 1463 until 1470 and from 1685 until 1715 before being conquered and returned to Ottoman hands. It was renamed after the Greek Independence. It was the first city to be liberated on March 26 during the revolution of 1821. Its economy improved after 600 years of non-Greek rule, 370 years without a nation and 300 years of Turkish rule. Agriculture was expanded and several farmlands were created around the area. Its population expanded later on and received its train station.
and the Greek Civil War
, many buildings were rebuilt and four to five story buildings were built. A bypass was opened in 1972, its hospital was opened and the economy expanded rapidly.
On June 15, 1995, a serious earthquake destroyed many buildings and damaged roads in the downtown and southwestern sections, with a number of casualties. The earthquake shattered Aigio: small memorials are found throughout the city, with candles aglow day and night to remember the victims.
Agricultural protests in February, 2004. It had blocked GR-8A. The protests lasted several days, and blockades were created and closed main highways for two days. It was followed by rioting in the groves and rioting at a building in the night. On February 4, 2004
, riots over demanding wage hikes for farmers took place in the 172nd km interchange or the Aigio interchange, a sign, a 172nd km post facing the westbound lanes, some bushes were damaged as they clashed with the police. Another one a day later took place near the olive grove and trapped some people. Supertrucks were blocking the superhighway. On January 28, 2005
, tractors from the rural areas near Aigio were blocking streets so the farmers can demand better wages. It happened between noon and afternoon hours.
) tree. Six days later on July 25 (which also registered a record-breaking heatwave), a larger fire consumed several villages south of Aigio, including Mavriki, Kounina, Paraskevi and Pyrgaki, Pteri and Koumari, later spreading to almost the entire area, including Mamoussia
, Ano Diakopto
and Zachloritika
; ashes filled the air as if a volcanic eruption had taken place. Outside the cities, fires erupted suddenly in various directions: multiple acts of arson was the verdict. Dozens of fires continued to burn out of control, rapidly consuming groves, forests and pine trees—the area's worst bushfire in decades in the peninsula. Firefighters in planes and helicopters heroically battled the towering blazes: the fire slowed on July 28, ending in the northwestern portions including Kounina
and parts of Chatzi.
in the northeast. Ferry service is very small and only has three Ferries daily. The trip is 45 minutes long. It is on a road off the old highway. The port is crossed by rail. East of the port is a railway station and some buildings. The city is bounded by a river in the east and west. It can be accessed by another highway for Temeni, Pteri
and Kalavryta
on GR-31.
Communities and Municipalities of Greece
For the new municipalities of Greece see the Kallikratis ProgrammeThe municipalities and communities of Greece are one of several levels of government within the organizational structure of that country. Thirteen regions called peripheries form the largest unit of government beneath the State. ...
in Achaea
Achaea
Achaea is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of West Greece. It is situated in the northwestern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. The capital is Patras. The population exceeds 300,000 since 2001.-Geography:...
, West Greece, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia
Aigialeia
Aigialeia is a municipality and a former province of the Achaea peripheral unit, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the town Aigio. The main towns are Aigio, Akrata and Diakopto. The mountains dominate the central, the southern and the western part, farmlands dominate the northern part...
, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. Its population is around 30,000. Aigio is surrounded by trees in the north and cliffs in the northwest. The city can be accessed by GR-8A from the south and west. Mountains neighbor the southern part. The commune was known as Vostitsa or Vostizza from the Middle Ages until the 20th century and in medieval French Vostice.
About the city
The blue Gulf of Corinth can be seen from many parts of the city, and a short walk from any of several main streets, via steep concrete steps set into the cliffside, open to a motorway lined with elite restaurants and eclectic hotels facing the sea. The brilliant blue harbor at Aigio boasts a long pier where fishing boats and sailboats are docked. The brisk wind coming off the Gulf moderates the fierce heat experienced in other Greek cities not so closely situated on the Gulf. Fishermen bring their catches from a night of fishing into the markets every morning. There are no beaches at Aigio, but outstanding, unspoiled beaches are only a 5 to 10 minutes drive from the city centre, and both taxis and buses are available. Sites of interest include a Mycenean House dating back to ancient times, located near the cliffs. In 2000, the ancient city of Helike (sometimes called "The Lost Atlantis") was discovered: it had been buried by an earthquake and tsunami in 373 B.C. Archeologists are now excavating the site every summer. Charming windmills are located in farmlands where groves of olive and orange trees, also supporting flocks of sheep and goats, thrive SW of the community boundary. Mountains rise southwest of the city.Of the several town squares, the largest one, with barbecue
Barbecue
Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
restaurants, fine shops, and nearby churches, has shade trees and many tables under colorful umbrellas. Another is located close to the hospital. There is also a circle-shaped town square close to the city hall, with bushes and a fountain, located on the old highway. The city has a hospital found slightly west of the city, and a rest area situated south of the city at GR-8A/E65. Charming residential houses surround the city and flourish in the western part of Aigio, making it a popular destination for Athenians and others alike. The townspeople are friendly, and the small restaurants inexpensive: some are covered with heavy grape vines. Typical traditional Greek cuisine includes spit-roasted lamb, mutton, lambs-heads, pulled pork, and the ubiquitous fish dishes, served with Greek salad loaded with feta cheese and olives, home-baked bread, and the local red wine, which is of good quality. Orange and lemon trees grow in most yards, and irrigation from small, open canals keeps the city greener than most. Persons in wheelchairs cannot navigate the steep hills and rough pavements of Aigio.
Antiquity
Before the founding of the city, the area had a NeolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
settlement. Aegium was founded during Homer
Homer
In the Western classical tradition Homer , is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. These epics lie at the beginning of the Western canon of literature, and have had an enormous influence on the history of literature.When he lived is...
ic times. It became a part of the Achaean League
Achaean League
The Achaean League was a Hellenistic era confederation of Greek city states on the northern and central Peloponnese, which existed between 280 BC and 146 BC...
in around 800 BC. During that period, it had several Olympic athletes including Straton (Στράτων), Athenodorus (Αθηνόδωρος) and more. From 330 BC until 281 BC, it was part of the Kingdom of Macedonia. It was later the capital of the Achaean League
Achaean League
The Achaean League was a Hellenistic era confederation of Greek city states on the northern and central Peloponnese, which existed between 280 BC and 146 BC...
from 281 BC until the annexation with the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
in 146 BC, after the fall of Greece, the Romans removed the wall of the city and Aigio lost its importance. Aegium took the territory of Helike
Helike
Helike was an ancient Greek city that sank at night in the winter of 373 BC. The city was located in Achaea, Northern Peloponnesos, two kilometres from the Corinthian Gulf...
. Aegium split from the Roman Empire and became a part of the Eastern Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Age
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
, during that time, it was renamed Vostitsa (Βοστίτσα) after the Slavic invasion in 805, its origin of the name came from the Old Church Slavonic
Old Church Slavonic
Old Church Slavonic or Old Church Slavic was the first literary Slavic language, first developed by the 9th century Byzantine Greek missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius who were credited with standardizing the language and using it for translating the Bible and other Ancient Greek...
words vosta and vostan which meant the city of gardens or the garden city.
Frankish/Ottoman Era
It was handed to the FranksFrankish Empire
Francia or Frankia, later also called the Frankish Empire , Frankish Kingdom , Frankish Realm or occasionally Frankland, was the territory inhabited and ruled by the Franks from the 3rd to the 10th century...
in the 13th century and later in the 1457 joined the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
with brief interruptions by the Venetians from 1463 until 1470 and from 1685 until 1715 before being conquered and returned to Ottoman hands. It was renamed after the Greek Independence. It was the first city to be liberated on March 26 during the revolution of 1821. Its economy improved after 600 years of non-Greek rule, 370 years without a nation and 300 years of Turkish rule. Agriculture was expanded and several farmlands were created around the area. Its population expanded later on and received its train station.
Modern Era
After World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Greek Civil War
Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was fought from 1946 to 1949 between the Greek governmental army, backed by the United Kingdom and United States, and the Democratic Army of Greece , the military branch of the Greek Communist Party , backed by Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania...
, many buildings were rebuilt and four to five story buildings were built. A bypass was opened in 1972, its hospital was opened and the economy expanded rapidly.
On June 15, 1995, a serious earthquake destroyed many buildings and damaged roads in the downtown and southwestern sections, with a number of casualties. The earthquake shattered Aigio: small memorials are found throughout the city, with candles aglow day and night to remember the victims.
Agricultural protests in February, 2004. It had blocked GR-8A. The protests lasted several days, and blockades were created and closed main highways for two days. It was followed by rioting in the groves and rioting at a building in the night. On February 4, 2004
February 2004
February 2004 was the second month of the leap year in the Gregorian calendar. It began on a Sunday and ended after 29 days on a Sunday.February 2004: January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October –...
, riots over demanding wage hikes for farmers took place in the 172nd km interchange or the Aigio interchange, a sign, a 172nd km post facing the westbound lanes, some bushes were damaged as they clashed with the police. Another one a day later took place near the olive grove and trapped some people. Supertrucks were blocking the superhighway. On January 28, 2005
January 2005
January 2005: ← – January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December – →...
, tractors from the rural areas near Aigio were blocking streets so the farmers can demand better wages. It happened between noon and afternoon hours.
2007 Forest Fires
South of Aigio on Thursday July 19, 2007, a forest fire struck in the area of Dervenaria causing panic to its residents. Residents were evacuated with their families outside the danger zone. As helicopters and planes battled the fire, it quickly spread over the mountains and into the settlement. Some of its blazes were towering as high as 100 feet (30.5 m) on a fir (Greek FirGreek Fir
Greek Fir is a fir native to the mountains of Greece, primarily in the Peloponnesos and the island of Kefallonia, intergrading with the closely related Bulgarian Fir further north in the Pindus mountains of northern Greece. It is a medium-size evergreen coniferous tree growing to – rarely – tall...
) tree. Six days later on July 25 (which also registered a record-breaking heatwave), a larger fire consumed several villages south of Aigio, including Mavriki, Kounina, Paraskevi and Pyrgaki, Pteri and Koumari, later spreading to almost the entire area, including Mamoussia
Mamoussia
Mamousia is a Greek village located west of Corinth and Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and east of Aigio and Patras. The GR-9 Mamousia (Greek: Μαμουσιά) is a Greek village located west of Corinth and Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and east of Aigio and Patras. The GR-9 Mamousia...
, Ano Diakopto
Ano Diakopto
Ano Diakopto is a Greek village located west of Corinth and Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and east of Aigio and Patras. The GR-9 Ano Diakopto (Greek: Άνω Διακοπτό meaning Upper Diakopto) is a Greek village located west of Corinth and Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and east of Aigio...
and Zachloritika
Zachloritika
Zachloritika is a Greek village located about southwest of Diakopto, west of Corinth, about 3 km west of Diakopto and Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and about 45 east of Patras and southeast of Aigio. The GR-9 Zachloritika (Greek: Ζαχλωρίτικα) is a Greek village located about southwest...
; ashes filled the air as if a volcanic eruption had taken place. Outside the cities, fires erupted suddenly in various directions: multiple acts of arson was the verdict. Dozens of fires continued to burn out of control, rapidly consuming groves, forests and pine trees—the area's worst bushfire in decades in the peninsula. Firefighters in planes and helicopters heroically battled the towering blazes: the fire slowed on July 28, ending in the northwestern portions including Kounina
Kounina
Kounina is a Greek village located about 10 to 15 km south of Aigio, west of Corinth and about 185 km west Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and about 45 east of Patras. The GR-9 Kounina (Greek: Κουνινά) is a Greek village located about 10 to 15 km south of Aigio, west of...
and parts of Chatzi.
Transportation
The Port of Aigion provides ferry service to Agios NikolaosAgios Nikolaos, Phocis
Agios Nikolaos is a village in the community of Kallithea and the municipal unit of Tolofon. It is in the southern part of Phocis, Greece. It has a nearby small bushy islet with the same name. Agios Nikolaos is connected with the new GR-48 linking Antirrio as well as Patras and Itea along with...
in the northeast. Ferry service is very small and only has three Ferries daily. The trip is 45 minutes long. It is on a road off the old highway. The port is crossed by rail. East of the port is a railway station and some buildings. The city is bounded by a river in the east and west. It can be accessed by another highway for Temeni, Pteri
Pteri, Greece
Pteri is a Greek village in Achaea. Pteri located about 15 km south of Aigio, about 45 km east of Patras, west of Diakopto and northwest of Kalavryta. Pteri is part of the municipal unit of Aigio and had a population of 618 in 2001...
and Kalavryta
Kalavryta
Kalavryta is a town and a municipality in the eastcentral part of the peripheral unit of Achaea, Greece. It is the southern terminus of the Kalavryta - Diakopto Road and the eastern terminus of the Patras - Kalavryta Road. It is located approx...
on GR-31.
Subdivisions
The municipal unit Aigio is subdivided into the following communities (constituent villages in brackets):- Aigio (Aigio, Agios Nikolaos, Sotir, Foniskaria)
- Chatzis
- Dafnes (Dafnes, Agios Ilias)
- Digeliotika
- Kouloura
- Koumari
- KouninaKouninaKounina is a Greek village located about 10 to 15 km south of Aigio, west of Corinth and about 185 km west Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and about 45 east of Patras. The GR-9 Kounina (Greek: Κουνινά) is a Greek village located about 10 to 15 km south of Aigio, west of...
(Kounina, Agia Anna, Pelekistra, Petrovouni) - MavrikiMavrikiMavriki is a Greek village located roughly south of Aigio, west of Corinth and Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and east of Patras. The GR-9 Mavriki is a Greek village located roughly south of Aigio, west of Corinth and Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and east of Patras. The GR-9...
(Ano Mavriki, Agios Ioannis, Kato Mavriki) - MelissiaMelissia, AchaeaMelissia is a Greek village in Achaea, Greece, part of the municipal unit of Aigio. It is located 10 to 15 km south of Aigio, west of Corinth and about 185 km west Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and about 45 east of Patras. The GR-9 Melissia is a Greek village in Achaea, Greece,...
(Melissia, Lakka, Pyrgaki) - ParaskeviParaskevi, AchaeaParaskevi is a Greek village located about 25 km south of Aigio, west of Corinth and about 185 km west Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and about 55 east of Patras. The GR-9 Paraskevi is a Greek village located about 25 km south of Aigio, west of Corinth and about...
- PteriPteri, GreecePteri is a Greek village in Achaea. Pteri located about 15 km south of Aigio, about 45 km east of Patras, west of Diakopto and northwest of Kalavryta. Pteri is part of the municipal unit of Aigio and had a population of 618 in 2001...
(Pteri, Achladea, Agios Andreas, Agios Panteleimonas, Boufouskia, Kato Pteri) - SelinountaSelinountaSelinounta or Selinous is a Greek village located about 35 km south of Aigio, west of Corinth and about 185 km west Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and about 60 km east of Patras. Selinus is named after the nearby river. The GR-9 Selinounta or Selinous is a Greek village...
- Temeni
- ValimitikaValimitikaValimitika is a Greek village in Achaea, Greece. It is located about 7 km south of Aigio, west of Corinth and about 170 and 180 km west Athens, north-northwest of Kalavryta and about 45 km east of Patras. Valimitika is west of the Selinountas River. The GR-9 Valimitika is a Greek...
Historical population
| Year | Municipal district | Municipality |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 20,955 | - |
| 1991 | 22,178 | 28,903 |
| 2001 | 21,255 | 27,741 |
Mayors
- Anastasios Lontos
- Dimitrios Meletopoulos
- Dimitrios Oreinos
- Georgios Meletopoulos
- Inokentios Romaniolis
- Diomidis Polychroniadis
- Andreas MichalopoulosAndreas MichalopoulosThe first version of this article has been based in the text of :el:Ανδρέας Μιχαλόπουλος of the Greek Wikipedia published under GFDL.Andreas Michalopoulos , is a former Greek footballer born in Patras...
- Sotirios Messinezis
- Athanassios Farazoulis
- Konstantinos Kanellopoulos
- Spyros Panagiotopoulos
- Leonidas Petropoulos
- Panagos Lyrintzis
- Efthymios Gatos
- Christos Lambouris
- Georgios Kanellopoulos
- Polychronis Noukopoulos
- Polychronis Polychroniadis
- Ioannis Stavropoulos (until 1936)
- Sotiris Stavropoulos (1936–1941), (1951–1952)
Sporting clubs
- Aris Valimitika
- Egieas Egion
- Olympiakos Aigio
- Panaigialeios - fourth division
- T.A.D. '93 Aigiou
- Thyella Aigio
External links
- Official website of the city of Aigio
- The directory of the city of Aigio
- GTP - Aigio
- GTP - Municipality of Aigio
- Ancient Aegium
- Blog regarding the city of Aigio
| North: Gulf of Corinth Gulf of Corinth The Gulf of Corinth or the Corinthian Gulf is a deep inlet of the Ionian Sea separating the Peloponnese from western mainland Greece... |
||
| West: Sympoliteia Sympoliteia Sympoliteia is a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 7,840 . The seat of the municipality was in Rododafni. Sympoliteia was one of several ancient terms... |
Aigio | East: Diakopto Diakopto Diakopto is a town and a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is a municipal unit. Population app. 7,005 . The town of Diakopto is situated on the Gulf of Corinth, and at the lower end of... |
| South: Kalavryta Kalavryta Kalavryta is a town and a municipality in the eastcentral part of the peripheral unit of Achaea, Greece. It is the southern terminus of the Kalavryta - Diakopto Road and the eastern terminus of the Patras - Kalavryta Road. It is located approx... , Leontio Leontio Leontio , older form: -on, is a community former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Erymanthos, of which it is a municipal unit. It is built on the foot of the Panachaiko. Its 2001 population was 373 for the village,... (independent commune) |