HISTORY
Aigosthena-Egosthena (Greek: Αιγόσθενα) was an ancient Greek fortified port city of Attica(Athens). The ancient castle of Egosthena(Porto Germeno) was built in the 4th century B.C. at the base of Mt. Kithairona and descends all the way to the sea (ancient port) at the Corinthian Gulf. The Egosthena was first inhabited around 1500 B.C. and flourished until 750 B.C. It was the cross-road for Geeks from Megara, Corinth and generally all of Pelopponese region travellιng via Thebes to Delphi. Due to its strategic location, Egosthena always found itself in the centre of wars of the neighbouring city states.
Egosthena was a place of rest and relaxation for the ancient Athenians and later, for the Romans as well. (Emperor Adrianos liked the place).
The ancient Greeks, believing that magnetic fields helps in curing a variety of physical and mental illnesses, were building their Asclepians (medical centres with many activities) in areas of intense magnetic fields (Epidauros, Athens Acropolis, Egosthena, Kos etc). Egosthena was such a place and Melampus, who lived 2 centuries before Asclepios he was supposed to be a healer,follower of god Dionysios.
Was curing mentally ill people by giving them the white sap of the elevoros root mixed with goat's milk. He was the first to be granted prophetic powers, the first to practice as a physician and the first to temper wine with water. A temple was built and devoted to him within the egosthana castle.
Hercules, the strongest man of ancient times, the son of Zeus, spent most of his life in the area around Mt Kithairon. It was here where he killed his first lion using a club made by root. A temple was built also and devoted to him in the Egosthena.
Dionyssos mysteries celebrated every 2 years with satyrs and meanads on Mt Kithairon proceeding to the sexual orgies.
Zeus spent first night with Ira on moutain Kitherona.
The newly born Oedipus (pierce footed) was abandoned on Mt. Kithairona and was rescued by a shepherd of the King of Corinth.
Next to Mt Kithairona, Mt Elikon is where the musses used to live and where Orfeas* music was first heard.
Today, on Mt Kithairona (1300m), there are many paths set for organized ramblers and ecologists, still you can see within the forest remains of the ancient roads and the towers used by the ancient Greeks for protection and lighting the way to Delphi.
There is also here an Eco Path, the Aigosthenoi-Villia path which is 15 kms long.
In the square of Villia town, 10 kms from Porto Germeno, there is the church of Metamorthosis, a master piece of the famous architect Ernest Chiller and many byzantine churches in the surrounding area.
