5000yr Old City Ruins

 

Another day of touring the island with our guide Christos. One of the many highlights was a visit to the Akrotiri archeological dig, a 5000 year old Minoan city preserved under the ash of the massive eruption in 1600BC.  It was touted as another Pompei but it was much smaller in size,  the entire dig was covered under roof in an area the size of a football field. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.






Other highlights of the day . . . . Travelled to the top of a very scary hill, involving cliffs, dirt roads, and no guardrails, to the Profite Ilias church and overlook. 




Skaros castle ruins on the top of the hill

View back toward Oia (white buildings in the distance)

Trail to Oía where we are staying. You can hike the whole trail in 3hrs. 

Skáros castle ruins (now known as Skáros Rock).  Built by the Venetians in the 12th century, this castle was the seat of power in Santorini. It held a commanding view of the entire Caldera. Today, only the foundation remains, largely brought down to rubble by a massive earthquake in 1956 (which also took out the other 6 Venetian castles on the island)

Spent some time in the capital “city” of Firá.  More great views, great shops and restaurants. We decided to return tomorrow. 







Travelled to Pyrgos where we walked up narrow walkways to a ruined fort at the top. Very quaint. 




Lunch at Black Sands Beach


Finished our day with dinner back in Oía at a rooftop restaurant (Strogili) overlooking the sunset.








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