LOCATION
The hotel is built on an amphithetrical site within a land of 35,000-40,000 m². At the foot of Mount Kytheronas,1.300m(20-25klm on asphalt road to the top). Overlooking the Porto Germeno bay (ancien EGOSTHENA) at the end of Corinthian gulf within Attica province.It commands a beautiful view of the sea (800m) and of the ancient castle of Egosthena dating to 4th century B.C.(known as the best preserved ancient castle in Greece.)
The Hotel stands 800m from the beach, which boasts the cleanest waters in the province of Attica, and repeatedly receives distinctions from the EU, namely the blue flag.
The nearest settlement , village, is the pictureque Porto Germeno with clean beaches,fresh fish tavernes and small yachting marina.
Set against the mountainous backdrop of tree-clad Kytheronas being the most famous mountain in the Greek mythology after mountain Olympus.
The nearest townVillia lies at 10klm distance.The trip from Athens covers a 61klm route . Due to its geographical position, it offers visitors the opportynity for daily excurcions to Delphi, Corinthos, Mycenea, Epidaures, Nafplion, Athens (acropolis) even Olympia, within 2 hours and 30' to the best ski resort on the mountain Parnasos above Arahova near Delphi.
80Klm from Athens aiport Eleytherios Venizelos on a high way raod within 1 hour trip.
30 Klm ftom Triasio Hospital in madra town one of the best equipment Hospital in Athens.
60 Klm from Piraeus Port the main port of Greece.
63 Klm from Loutraki kazino in Corinthos city.
The Aigosthena Castle
The castle of Aigosthena is one of the best-preserved ancient defense structures in Greece, dated from 4th century B.C.
It extends from the top of a hill all the way down to the sea, commanding the beautiful gulf of Porto Germeno. It is worth noticing the careful construction and skilful stone combination all along the castle walls.
In the east and north side it still stands as high as 4 to 5.50m. It is supported by impressive square towers built every 50 to 60m. While 16 of them are preserved today, one stands to its complete height which is 15m.
The castle surrounded the ancient city of Aigosthena. Originally it belonged to the city of Megara, however, it has changed hands several times.
Within the boundaries of the castle there is a Christian church, devoted to St. George. This church seems to belong to a monastery of 17th century A.D. Behind it there are monastery cells, still preserved in a rather good condition.
There is another Christian church, dated from 5th century A.D. The mosaic floor next to a gate of the north wall belongs to this church. During the middle ages one more church was built using large stones from ancient constructions, some of them with ancient Greek inscriptions.
Some of these inscriptions inform us about the existence of the sanctuary of Melambous within the Aigosthena castle. He was supposed to be a healer, follower of god Dionysos, gifted with the power of prophecy. A therapy involving healing of the soul was being practiced in this sanctuary once a year at the time of festivities devoted to Melambous. However, the existence of this sanctuary has not been verified by contemporary archaeologists.
Pausanias, the traveler of 2nd Century A.D. mentions the existence of two more ancient Greek sanctuaries, the one devoted to hero Hercules and the other to goddess Artemis.
In sunshine or in full moon, the castle of Aigosthena gives an impressive view to visitors of the Hotel Aigosthenion.
Swimming in the sea of Porto Germeno or sitting on the sandy beach, one can see some large scattered stones through the crystal clear waters. These stones come from the lower end of the north long wall of the castle and are 24 centuries old.
