Aegina Orphanage

The first orphanage in Greece was the orphanage of Aegina. It was established in 1828 to shelter children orphaned during the War of Independence and was founded by Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece.

The orphanage was first established in Poros Island and was later transferred to Aegina, on the road from Aegina Town to Perdika. It initially offered a home to 600 children, while it also served as a school, teaching them reading, writing, and arithmetic, as well as vocational arts, like printing, clock and show making, carpentry, and metalworking. Since his primary concern was the children's education, Kapodistrias also built a school for teachers. Many years later, the orphanage was used as a prison for criminal offenders and political prisoners.

This historical building has also housed the first National Library, the Archaeological Museum, as well as a printing house. For many years, it also housed a prison.