Porto Germeno or Aigosthena

Porto Germeno belongs to the Municipality of Mandra – Eidyllia and is the port of Vilia. It is located under the shadow of Mount Kithairon (1,409m) on the right side of the bay and Mount Patera (1,132m) on the left side. Access to Porto Germeno is from the Athens – Corinth National Road, passing over the bridge to Elefsina we turn right. From the Attiki Odos, exit to Elefsina – Thebes we enter the Old Athens – Thebes National Road. The distance from the Center of Athens is approximately one hour.

Following the road after Agia Sotira, descending the bends in the settlement of Titan, we come across the signs for Faneromeni, at the end of the city bus No. 861, from Elefsina to Agia Sotira. We follow the rural road, pass the “Faneromeni” Nursing Home of the well-known Agia Athanasius of Egaleo and continue. In a small square with a well in the middle, we will come across the church of Agios Georgios on the left. We continue right along the rural road and climb to the top of the hill. The small chapel that exists here, recently restored, is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and to Agios Panteleimonas.

After resting for a while in the courtyard of the small church, under the pine trees, we begin to descend towards Porto Germeno. At the intersection with the main road that we come across from Vilia, we turn left. The area here is called Kryo Pigadi, where there is a tavern of the same name and a small chapel, under the old oak tree, dedicated to Saint Basil.

HISTORICAL DATA

The area, according to the findings of the area, appears to have been first inhabited in the 8th century.th century BC. Its ancient name was Aigosthena, from the words "aiges" and "sthenos", a city of the Megarians, built near the ancient Megarian city of Pages. When the Athenians allied with the Megarians in order to face the Theban threat, Aigosthena played an important role in the fortification of these cities and in the Athenians' access to the sea. It was an independent member of the Achaean League and the Boeotian Community. Here was also the Sacred Oracle of the seer and healer Melampos.

SIGHTS

Before we meet the sea, to the left of the settlement stands the Castle-Fortress of Aigosthenes, a 4th-century building.thυ century BC. The ancient Fortress consisted of the Acropolis and the Lower City, the walls of which reached the sea. The Acropolis was reinforced by four-sided towers and communication between the towers was via a corridor. The SE Tower of the Acropolis was the most imposing, square, 18m high and 8.8m long. For more information, you can read our relevant article: https://www.driverstories.gr/φρούριο-αιγοσθένων/

ACCOMMODATION

Leaving the Castle, we descend towards the sea and the settlement. Here we can swim in the crystal clear waters of the Corinthian Gulf, walk along the beach, sit for coffee and food and enjoy the sunset, as the sun slowly sinks into the sea.

In Porto Germeno there are many beaches, but they are not organized. Specifically, on the right side, as we look at the Corinthian Gulf, there is a beach, on the pedestrian street in front of the taverns. In the middle of the bay we find a large beach with pebbles, tamarisks, benches and a small pedestrian street for a walk. Continuing the paved road, to the left of the bay, we find another large beach at Agios Nikolaos, by the homonymous chapel that exists on the sea. One can park the car on the road and go down to swim. There is also a tavern here for food. At the end of this road, below a tavern, there is a very small pebble beach and at the end of the dirt road, we will see a small beach, which is accessed by a path. On the right side of Porto Germenos, as we look at the bay, there is the small harbor-fishing shelter, which has a boat launch ramp and two small beaches, on either side of the harbor.

There is also a playground for children to play and benches for resting under the pine trees. From here on, until the end of the road, the settlement we encounter is called Prosili. Here access to the sea is difficult as there are no beaches but only sharp rocks.

At the end of the road, at the location of Agia Paraskevi, the small church is not visible from the road, the visitor will encounter a large beach for swimming, suitable for families, a canteen and a small tavern for food. From the point where the asphalt road ends and the dirt road begins, there are only rocks.

In Porto Germeno, for anyone wishing to stay longer, there are no hotels but only rooms to rent.

MUNICIPALITY OF MANDRAS – IDYLLIAS: 213-2014900