Angistri

Between Aegina and the coast of Epidauria, the pine-clad Angistri is situated around 22 nautical miles south-east of the port of Piraeus . The island is mainly hilly and covered with pine forests, while the arable land is limited and can be found mainly in the coastal zones, primarily the north one . The coastal morphology varies, as one can find smooth beaches but also inaccessible rugged coasts . The sole natural harbour is located on the north-eastern part of the island, in Skala, while the artificial harbour of Megalohori was inaugurated in 2006, with a view to facilitating the visitors . Moreover, Angistri also features a fishing harbour .

The earliest habitation of Angistri dates back to prehistoric times . The obsidian blades that were imported from Melos and found in Agia Varvara and the rocky islet of Aponisos suggest that the local communities have been in contact with the Aegean . Obviously, the inhabitants of the island would have capitalized on it throughout antiquity, in order to survive, but also to become actively involved in the Saronic Gulf insular network . Nevertheless, there there have also been periods of complete desolation . The meMap of Aegina dieval fortifications in the westand Angistri by ern part of the Dorousa islet inFrancesco Piacenza dicate on the one hand that (1688) the area was inhabitated during the Byzantine period and on the other the inhabitants’ need for protection from the dangers of open sea, especially piracy . As a result of the first administrative division of the independent Greek state in 1833, Aegina and Angistri formed the Province of Aegina in the Prefecture of Attica and Boeotia . The Angistrians made a living from the exploitation of the resin produced by the numerous pines on the island, the cultivation of barley and figs, the production of wine and olive oil and fishing . Later on, some of them got involved in the shipping industry .

Although the people of Angistri maintained contacts with Aegina and Salamis throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as with the neighbouring coast of the Peloponnese, a gasoline ship started running between Angistri and Aegina as late as 1932 . Up to then, the only means of transportation was boats . In addition, the direct ferry connection of Angistri with Piraeus started in 1959, while earlier visitors reached Angistri through Aegina, by boat . Today, Angistri is connected to the port of Piraeus through regular daily Flying Dolphins and ferries . Most of the island’s inhabitants work in the tourist industry, although there are also fishermen, sailors and merchants . A professional fishing association operates on Angistri . [AL]