Imerovigli is the natural continuation of Fira which is situated on a higher cliff. Its name comes from the word “vigla” which means “day”. As you will notice a very large rock is located in front of the village. It is called Skaros and until 1800 it was a part of the land with a castle on top where all the administrative offices of the island were located. More than 100 homes and monasteries could be found on top of the rock. The monasteries have been relocated, one to Fira and the other to Firostefani. After the earthquake of 1956 when the whole village was almost totally destroyed the houses that were at the edge of the cliff were abandoned. Today Imerovigli is a beautiful and quiet village and also one of the top areas in Greece for accommodation. It is famous for its view and many tourists visit it throughout the year.
Pyrgos was the capital Santorini until 1800, it is built on top of a hill and it is composed of traditional houses built around the Venetian Castle while its small streets following the shape of the hill. As you ascend from the square up to the castle of Pyrgos the stone houses become denser and the streets look more like a labyrinth torturing the tourists that don’t know which path to follow. Pyrgos has about 33 churches but the most famous is the Monastery of Profitis Ilias. This monastery is known for its unique sets of icons, its chancel screen and its bell towers. The cells that were the monk’s residence have now turned into a small museum that includes a small collection of sacramental vessels, robes, wooden crucifixes, 15th century icons, patriarchal letters and over 1200 volumes of old religious publications and manuscripts.
Although Pyrgos is a lovely place, one of the prettiest locations of the island, it has only recently won a place on the tourist map. It has mostly become known because of the splendid Easter celebrations which were instituted a few years ago by its deputy mayor. They usually decorate a 17 - metre cross with rosemary that causes the whole village to smell like it. The whole island goes to the procession of the Epitaph on Good Friday while the village is ornamented with tin lanterns and the location seems to glow in the dark. Pyrgos is definitely a place worthwhile and if you are there during Easter don’t hesitate to stay there and participate in the local feasts.
Firostefani means the crown of Fira and although it used to be a separate district, it has now been sucked by the capital of the island as the time passed by and the tourist development has pushed the boundaries of Fira a bit further. Several of the island’s best hotels are situated in Firostefani. The stroll from Fira to Firostefani takes up to 20 minutes but it usually takes more to tourists who want to admire the view. You can start strolling by Patsouli which is near the cable car station in Fira and then move on from Nomikou street towards the Nomikos Center. As you move on the view, that is different from each location, will enchant you and you will come up several churches till you reach Firostefani. If you want to continue for further hiking the same path will take you to Imerovigli. In Firostefani you will see many hotels, some taverns and cafes as well as a public parking space.
Megalochori was one of the villages that I really liked. I was really impressed by the traditional scenery, the white washed houses with the fences, the bell tower which formed an arch so as to pass underneath it, the white-domed church and the central square with the few taverns and the creeper plants in bright fuchsia.The permanent residents of the village are about 300 and three of the largest wineries of the island Santo Wines, Antoniou and Boutari are located near it. Panagia Isodion is the central church of Megalochori which stands out for its icons and the &ldquocalendar of saints&rdquo which is comprised by 365 miniature figures sanctified by the Greek Orthodox Church.
Emporio is located at the southern foothills of Profitis Ilias and it has a view to both the caldera and the eastern coast. It is the largest village on the southern part of the island. The old village part is built with small picturesque streets that add to the village’s beauty. Emporio also had a fortified castle called Casteli during the medieval years built by the Venetians which is still partly visible.
To the north of the village you will probably notice that there is a square building named Goulas. This is a fortified mansion, a stone tower built under the Ottoman rule as a treasury but the villagers also used it to protect themselves from the pirates. One of the oldest churches on the island, Palia Panagia which is famous for the ornately carved wooden dome on its bell-tower, extracts the attention of every visitor.
The chapel of Agios Nikolaos Marmaritis is worth a visit. It is built around a family tomb that houses a small, square, marble temple from the third century B. C. that was dedicated to the goddess Vasilia.
Akrotiri: You will find it on the most remote part of the island 12 km from Fira at the southwestern tip. Taking the bus from Fira is a good idea since there are regular itineraries to the location. On the way Akrotiri you will have a chance to notice the wonderful view. You won ’ have trouble finding taverns or hotels if you want to stay there.
As you might have heard excavations have revealed the city of Acropolis, a Venetian castle which was destroyed after the occupation of Santorini by the Turks. The remains of the castle are easily visible though. You will also find the old churches Agia Triada and Ipapanti tou Sotiros in the village.
Kamari is the product of the rapid tourist development and that’s why it is full of hotels, bungalows and rooms for rent as well as tavernas, bars, cafes and souvenir shops.
Many tourists prefer to pass their vacations there because the sea is close by although its sand is black as in most Santorinian beaches. Water sports, horse-back riding and wine tasting organized by a local winery are common practices for tourists who reside in the area. The scenery is quite imposing with the large cliff standing proudly over the location.
Fira is the capital of the island since the 19th century when it was moved from Pyrgos. It is situated on the edge of a 260m cliff and offers a great view of the volcano. It is full of whitewashed houses and stepped streets, blue domed churches and sun-bathed verandas. In 1956 a large part of the town was destroyed because of the earthquake and only few of the 18th century buildings were saved. It is a very important village and tourists flood it every summer. It is full of expensive jewellery and souvenir selling shops, clubs, cafes and restaurants. On these narrow streets you will often notice artists from all over the world offering to create your portrait, street singers and instrument players. Theotokopoulou Square is the main square of Fira, the meeting point of all the locals.
Locals claim that Oia, or Pano Meria as it was once called, is the jewel on Santorini’s crown. It is a labyrinthine settlement balanced on the northern tip of the island which attracts so many people that you probably have to see it with your own eyes to believe me. Oia is famous as the best location – Kastro - to look at the most wonderful sunset so tourists stand like pigeons on the house fences while others set their cameras hours before sunset just to capture the moment and in the end they usually clap their hands in admiration. Vehicles are not allowed inside the village, but if you ask me, this is great because the only way to get to know about the beauties of the village is to walk around its narrow streets. The main pedestrian marble street is full of handicraft and souvenir shops, expensive jewellery boutiques, restaurants and cafes. Oia also hosts a cultural centre and Greek art galleries. You will also see many of the local people on the streets selling cherry tomatoes and caper that they cultivate themselves. The most characteristic image of the Oia printed in most photographs and postcards is the bright white and blue cupola of Agios Georgios church contrasting with the deep blue of the Aegean Sea in the background.
It is sad to mention though that the village has never fully recovered from the 1956 earthquake that devastated it.
Source: greek-islands.us |
