Agistri
Population: 1,142 (2011)
ISLAND OVERVIEW
Agistri is a tiny pine-covered island only 13km2 (5 sq miles)The island is very close to the larger Saronic island of Aegina.
There are only three settlements on Agistri – Milos (Megalochori), Skala and Limenaria. Milos is the main village where the majority of the population lives. Skala is where most of the tourist facilities and hotels are. Limenaria is a tiny village on the other side of the island with very little tourism. The coast either side of the ferry quay is the most attractive part. There are a number of beautiful beaches, Halikiada beach is popular for naturism.
The islands main products used to be pine resin, olive oil, figs, barley and fruit but today the economy is based on tourism rather than agriculture. Agistri is home to a wide variety of plants, hosts a population of chukar partridges and peafowls and the rocky eastern coast is used as a breeding place by swifts.
There is a bus from Skala to the ‘capital’ of the island Limenaria, which is not very touristy, so it’s a good place to meet locals. Angistri can be reached from Aegina by boat in just ten minutes. The island is only an hour’s boat ride from the port of Piraeus in Athens.
The Island & Its History
click image to view in Google Maps
The meaning of the word “Angistri” means hook, and to this day no one is sure of its origin. Angistri formed part of the kingdom of Aegina, in ancient times under the mythical King Aeakos. Not much is known about the history of the island. However the island has not always been inhabited and at the end of the 17th Century it appears to have been completely deserted. Given that the island is very small it was open to frequent pirate attacks. It also lacked a proper supply of drinking water, which made it difficult for a sizeable population to establish itself. The population increased in the 1900’s and today its population is approximately 1000. However, water still has to be bought in by a tanker.
In recent times, Angistri became a haven for refugees from Albania. Albanian influences can be seen today in many of the older women’s dress code, with their long colourful dresses and headscarves.
Prayer Points
- The people on the island will realize their need for God and their eyes will be opened to the truth and love of God through reading the Bible for themselves.
- The Lord will work in the lives of all the God-fearing religious people already living on this island, and bring healing & refreshment to their lives.
ADOPT THIS ISLAND
If you are committed to praying for this island and its region, please drop us a note, we would love to know about it and keep you posted with prayer updates!
By completing this form, I consent to receive content from Broad Reach Maritime in accordance with our Privacy Policy.