Aigeira
|
Aigeira Αιγείρα |
|
|---|---|
 Aigeira
|
|
|
Location within the regional unit
 |
|
| Coordinates: 38°9′N 22°21′E / 38.150°N 22.350°ECoordinates: 38°9′N 22°21′E / 38.150°N 22.350°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | West Greece |
| Regional unit | Achaea |
| Municipality | Aigialeia |
| Districts | 11 |
| • Municipal unit | 103.65 km2 (40.02 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Municipal unit | 2,626 |
| • Municipal unit density | 25/km2 (66/sq mi) |
| Community | |
| • Population | 1,462 (2011) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal code | 250 10 |
| Area code(s) | 26960 |
| Vehicle registration | ΑΧ |
| Website | www.aigeira.gr |
Aigeira (Greek: Αιγείρα) (IPA: [eˈʝira]) is a town and a former municipality in northeastern Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Aigialeia, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area of 103.646 km2. The municipal unit stretches from the Gulf of Corinth, where the town Aigeira is located, to the mountains in the south. The town Aigeira is 26 km (16 mi) southeast of Aigio, 55 km (34 mi) northwest of Corinth and 55 km (34 mi) east of Patras. The Greek National Road 8A (E65 Corinth - Patras) and the railway Corinth - Patras run through the town.
The municipal unit Aigeira is subdivided into the following communities:
The area was settled in the 3rd millennium BC. The city was known as Hyperesia (Greek: Υπερησία, Hyperesia) during Homeric times. According to Pausanias, in 688 BC Hyperesia was threatened by a hostile army from Sicyon. The locals defended their city by placing burning torches on their goats' (aiges in Greek) horns. As a result, the invaders left in fear while the Hyperesians renamed their town Αigeira to honor the goats.
The city was prosperous and was one of the twelve most important cities in the Achaean League. The city consisted of two parts: a port on the Gulf of Corinth and the upper town, 12 stadia (2 km (1.2 mi)) from the port. According to Pausanias, there were sanctuaries of Zeus and Athena as well as a temple of Artemis Agrotera in the upper town.
...
Wikipedia