Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
strong sense of place and reverent awe. Housed within a cool, protective structure,
wooden walkways allow you to pass through various parts of the city.
Peek inside three-storey buildings that survived, and see roads, drainage systems and
stashes of pottery. The vibe of excitement still courses through the site, with continued
excavations and discoveries.
Ancient Thira
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
(admission €4; 8am-2.30pm Tue-Sun)
First settled by the Dorians in the 9th century BC,
Ancient Thira consists of Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine ruins and is an atmospheric
and rewarding site to visit. The ruins include temples, houses with mosaics, an
agora
(market), a theatre and a gymnasium. There are splendid views from the site. From
March to October
Ancient Thira Tours
( 22860 32474; Kamari)
runs a bus every hour
from 9am until 2pm, except on Monday, from Kamari to the site. If driving, take the sur-
faced but narrow, winding road from Kamari for just over 1km. From Perissa, on the oth-
er side of the mountain, a hot hike up a dusty path on sometimes rocky, difficult ground
takes a bit over an hour to the site.
Art Space
GALLERY
( 22860 32774;
www.artspace-santorini.com
;
Exo Gonia)
This unmissable, atmospheric gal-
lery is just outside Kamari, in
Argyros Canava
, one of the oldest wineries on the island.
The atmospheric old wine caverns are hung with superb artworks, while sculptures trans-
form lost corners and niches. The collection is curated by the owner and features some of
Greece's finest modern artists. Winemaking is still in the owner's blood, and part of the
complex is given over to producing some stellar vintages. A tasting of Vinsanto greatly
enhances the whole experience.
DISAPPEARING ACT
No one knows what happened to the Minoan people of Akrotiri. No human remains
have been found at the site. Some believe the people fled the city following the
earthquake that took place two or three weeks before the volanic eruption and are
buried elsewhere on the island, beneath tonnes of ash. Others speculate that they
recognised signs of impending doom and fled by boat towards Crete.
Sleeping
The main concentration of rooms can be found in and around Kamari and Perissa.
