SANTORINI (THIRA)
Santorini, one of the best-known of the Cyclades, differs
from
the other islands in the group thanks to its geological morphology,
the result of action by a volcano now dormant.
The landscape on the western side of the island, where towering
cliffs crowned by tiny and blindingly white houses plunge straight
into the depths of the sea.
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Santorini
Photo: An Veldema
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Santorini
Photo: An Veldema |
There is a superb view out from Fira to the Kamenes, the
two islets of black stone created by the volcano. The islets
can be visited by launch.
Ancient Thira is a site of great archaeological interest
which was occupied by Phoenicians, Dorians, Romans and Byzantines.
Down the centre of the city runs the Sacred Way. The buildings
include groups of houses, market-places, baths, theatres,
sanctuaries, the residence of Ptolemy Euergetes, tombs of the
Archaic and Classical periods and Early Christian remains.
On the surrounding rocks the names of the god Apollo and of men
and boys are inscribed in the ancient alphabet of Thira.
The site at Akrotiri bas yielded the remains of a Minoan city
destroyed around 1500 BC by an eruption of the volcano on
Thira.
In effect, this is a prehistoric version of Pompeii
buried beneath volcanic ash, with two and three-storeyed
houses, with squares, shops, workshops and so on. Among
the finds
from the houses we re marvellous murals (on display in
the National Archaeological Museum, Athens), vases, and
everyday
utensils. At the high east peak of Santorini is a monastery
of the Prophet Elijah (Profitis Ilias), where there is
a picturesque
religious feast on 20July each year.
The old-world village Oia, 11 km. to the north of Fira,
is a place of incomparable beauty. The unique appeal
of Oia lies
in its little houses hewn out of the soft rock (some of
them whitewashed, others painted blue or ochre), its
neo-classical
mansions with their court yards, its narrow paved alleys.
There is a superb view out to sea.
Among the best bathing beaches some of them with black
sand and others with pebbles - are Kamari
or Armeni, Amoudi, Baxedes Perissa, Monolithos and Kokini
Paralia. The natural environment, the unusual
architecture and the outstanding monuments of Santorini
attract very large numbers of visitors in the summer.
How to get there:
By ferry from Piraeus By air from Athens
Enjoy our beautiful pictures of
Santorini! Click on them to enlarge: |
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Santorini.
Photo:Peter de Rijcker |
Santorini. The watchmen of Thira.
Photo:
Peter-Paul de Rijcker |
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Santorini
Foto: Danny Verhasselt |
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Santorini Oia.
Photo: Peter de Rijcker |
Santorini.
Photo:
Peter
de Rijcker |
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Santorini, Fira.
Photo: Bruno
Hubrecht |
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Santorini
Photo:
Bruno Hubrecht
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Santorini.
Photo:
Peter
de Rijcker. |
Santorini.
Photo:
Peter
de Rijcker |
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