Agistri together with the surrounding islands constituted the kingdom of Aegina under the mythical King Aeakos. Several areas are of archaeological interest such as Megaritissa, Aponissos, as well as Kontari. Agistri, many times was subjected the influence of Aegina's tumultuous history.

Along the west coast and at close to the surface of the water one can see remnants of buildings from the pre-christian period.

Archaeological findings of the island are exhibited in the Cultural/ Municipality Centre in Milos.


14th CENTURY - 20th CENTURY

The island became a haven for Albanian refugees (Arvanites) from Serbian imperial expansion in the fourteenth century under Stephen Dusan and later in the years when the region was part of the Ottoman Empire. The Albanian influence can still be seen in the long colourful dresses and head scarves of some of the older women, particularly in Milos.

Agistri was not inhabited continuously. It appears that at the end of the 17th century it was abandoned, most possibly because of the frequent pirate raids in the area to which a small island such as this was particularly vulnerable.

In 1821 the island was inhabited although the population was too small to be mentioned in a census of the time. By 1835, however, a municipality in Agistri was formed by Royal Decree and 248 inhabitants were mentioned.


20th CENTURY - TODAY

In the 1920's Agistri was again barely inhabited but in the period between the 1940's and the 1990's, Agistri was one of the few smaller Greek Islands whose population actually increased. Today the official population is just 700 that reaches around the 4.500 during the summer.

Until 1960 the island had no direct boat connection with Piraeus.

In 1973 electricity was introduced, and in the late 1970's a road was built to Limenaria. Since 1981, a small 12 seater bus has operated on the island traveling between Skala - Milos- Limenaria.

Traditionally the island's main products have been pine resin (used for making retsina), olive oil, figs, barley and fruit. However during the latter half of the 20th century the economy has come to be based on tourism rather than agriculture.

Agistri's Municipality is based in Milos.