Picturesque landscapes, beautiful beaches, a long rich history and lots of interesting attractions to the beautiful Greek island of Aegina annually attract large numbers of tourists from all over the world.

One of the most popular tourist destinations of the island are the ruins of the abandoned town of Paleochora (which means "old town"). It is located about 7 km East of the homonymous capital of the island on the picturesque slopes of the hill.

In the middle ages continuous raids by pirates and other invaders forced the islanders to abandon coastal settlements and go deep into the island. So far from the coast at the end of the 9th century and was founded Paleochora, which until the early 19th century it was the administrative center of the island. However, the remoteness of the settlement from the coast could not fully ensure the protection of local residents. Throughout its thousand-year history of Paleochora, constantly subjected to raids and looting, and repeatedly changed their masters. Here in turn was dominated by the Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Turks. By the 19th century, the residents have begun to move closer to the sea (and in particular in the modern capital of the island – Aegina). Over time, Paleochora finally emptied and gradually fell into ruin.

According to local legend, in Paleochora there were 365 churches (though this information is not reliable evidence). However, they really were very many, and even today among the destroyed residential buildings you can see about 40 churches and chapels. Some of them, unfortunately, are in very poor condition, and requires immediate restoration. In some churches you can admire the beautiful frescoes that date back to ages 13-18.

Among the most well-preserved temples of particular interest are the Church of the Holy cross at the entrance to Paleochora, the Church of Panagia Fortessa (formerly known as the Basilica of St. George) on the Central square of the city, the Cathedral of Agia Dionysius – domed Basilica built in the rocks as well as the monastery of Agia Kyriaki. It is also worth to visit the Church of Saint John the theologian with blue bell tower, the Church of Agia Dimitria, the chapel of the assumption of the virgin Mary, the Church of the Transfiguration, etc. Among the important historical monuments of Paleochora is worth noting and the ruins of a fortress built by the Venetians on top of a hill in the middle of the 17th century.