From the years when Aegina was the capital
In the streets of Aegina, you will come across historic buildings that formed the central framework of the newly established Greek state when the island served as the capital of Greece (1828–1829), with Ioannis Kapodistrias as Governor. These are the following:
Eynardeio Foundation. Of great historical importance for both Aegina and Greece, it housed the country’s first school for teachers. It later became home to the National Library, the School of Hellenic Studies and the Archaeological Museum (1926–1982).
Municipal Theatre. It appears to predate the years of Kapodistrias. During his governorship, it first operated as a Mutual Teaching School (1828) and then as a Preparatory School (1829–30), where pupils were prepared for studies at the higher Eynardeio Foundation.
Orphanage. It bears the distinction of being the first Greek public building erected by order of Kapodistrias, in order to shelter the children who had been orphaned on the island during the Greek War of Independence.
Government House. It was granted to Kapodistrias as his residence, while public services were also housed there. After the capital of the Greek state was moved from Aegina to Nafplio in 1829, the building acquired a number of successive uses, the last being the safekeeping of the Historical Archive of Aegina.
Markellos Tower. It predates the government of Kapodistrias and belonged to Spyridon Markellos, a fighter in the War of Independence. After the arrival of Kapodistrias, it became the seat of the National Treasury and later of the Administrative Headquarters.
Metropolis of Aegina. It hosted the ceremonial reception and swearing-in of the first Governor. Kapodistrias’s choir stall remains in the church to this day, opposite the bishop’s throne.
Eynardeio Foundation. Of great historical importance for both Aegina and Greece, it housed the country’s first school for teachers. It later became home to the National Library, the School of Hellenic Studies and the Archaeological Museum (1926–1982).
Municipal Theatre. It appears to predate the years of Kapodistrias. During his governorship, it first operated as a Mutual Teaching School (1828) and then as a Preparatory School (1829–30), where pupils were prepared for studies at the higher Eynardeio Foundation.
Orphanage. It bears the distinction of being the first Greek public building erected by order of Kapodistrias, in order to shelter the children who had been orphaned on the island during the Greek War of Independence.
Government House. It was granted to Kapodistrias as his residence, while public services were also housed there. After the capital of the Greek state was moved from Aegina to Nafplio in 1829, the building acquired a number of successive uses, the last being the safekeeping of the Historical Archive of Aegina.
Markellos Tower. It predates the government of Kapodistrias and belonged to Spyridon Markellos, a fighter in the War of Independence. After the arrival of Kapodistrias, it became the seat of the National Treasury and later of the Administrative Headquarters.
Metropolis of Aegina. It hosted the ceremonial reception and swearing-in of the first Governor. Kapodistrias’s choir stall remains in the church to this day, opposite the bishop’s throne.
