Among the sights of Santorini, the Prehistoric settlement discovered in Akrotiri holds the scepter. For all the history lovers this excursion can be the motivation to discover all the beauties of the island, beginning from Akrotiri , as it is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Aegean.
It is located at the southwestern tip of the island and is 15 km from Fira. Around 1870, the first traces of an ancient Minoan settlement had been accidentally revealed, during the works to get volcanic soil from Santorini in order to insulate the Suez Canal Bridge.
The systematic excavations began there in 1967 by Professor Spyridon Marinatos under the auspices of the Athens Archaeological Society and part of the findings can be admired at the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, in Fira.
What you need to know:
The first settlements in Akrotiri date from the Late Neolithic Age (at least from the 4th millennium BC). During the Early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC) there was a settlement in Akrotiri. During the Middle and Early Late Bronze Age (20th-17th century BC) this settlement expanded and became one of the most important urban centers and ports of the Aegean. The variety of imported products found inside the buildings shows how wide the grid of Akrotiri’s external relations was. It maintained close relations with Minoan Crete but was also in contact with mainland Greece, the Dodecanese, Cyprus, Syria and Egypt.
Now you have the chance to explore the site as the excavations are covered by a protective ceiling structure, which provides shelter from the sun.
While the settlement can be explored independently, it’s more rewarding to go with a guide who can provide further information upon the historical facts.
What you can see:
Its large area (about 200 acres), its excellent urban planning, its sewer network, its elaborate high-rise buildings with exquisite frescoes, rich furnishings and home furnishings testify to its great development. However, no human remains or gold valuables were found, indicating that locals had already evacuated the island before the eruption.
Life in the city ended abruptly in the last quarter of the 17th century BC. century, when its inhabitants decided to abandon it because of strong earthquakes. The volcanic eruption followed. The volcanic materials that covered the city and the whole island protected their buildings and their contents to this day, as it did in Pompeii.
Marinatos decided to excavate Akrotiri hoping to verify an old theory he had published in the 1930s that the eruption of the Thera volcano caused the collapse of Minoan Cretan culture.
NOTES: tickets/guide at the excavations are not included in the price
- Full: €12, Reduced: €6 (Children/Students/Third age)
- Special ticket package: Full: €14, Reduced: €7
- The special package 4 day ticket is for Archaelogical Sites and Museum in Thera
Ancient Thera, Akrotiri, Archaeological Museum, Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Collection of Icons and Ecclesiastical Artefacts at Pyrgos
Our next destination would be an estate winery (expanses not included)
There you can enjoy the Caldera view , the active volcano of the island, the exceptional wines such as Assyrtiko, Athyri, and the famous Vinsanto which are just some of the distinctive varieties and why not the elegant Cycladic cuisine?
Santorini overflows with a great variety of local products like cherry tomatoes, white eggplants, fava, capers and a special kind of fresh goat cheese.
For the return, you can end your excursion at your starting point (hotel etc) or you can finish at the capital which is Fira.
There are plenty of options for you there, since it’s the “heart of Santorini” and for the History lovers there’re two of the most important museums of the island: the Archaeological Museum of Thera and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera which offer a multitude of relics and historic items from the whole island.
Isn’t it the best way to finish your adventurous trip?
Our next destination is going to be an underground Winery which is located up to the new port of Athinios.
It was built in 1947 by Venetsanos family and became the first industrial winery on the island.
Its most distinguished feature is the structural design, which essentially used gravity, facilitating energy efficiency, at a time when access to electricity and other energy sources was very limited.
The unique climate of the island, rich in volcanic soil sustains our ancient selections. In fact, the grapes need little human intervention and literally grow on their own. The soil is the key and makes the wine even more particular, standing out from the rest not only in Greece but also worldwide. The secrets of quality wine making are passed down from one generation to the next.
Nowadays, you often see the winemakers’ children and grandchildren also devoted to wine production, contributing their ideas, especially on how to market the product.
There are over fifty grape varieties in Santorini, but winemakers generally use about ten of them.
Three of the most famous types of Santorinian wine that is worthy to give a try are:
- Assyrtiko (often under the trade name of ‘Santorini’),
- Nychteri (the ‘night’ wine)
- Vinsanto (Vino di Santo – ‘Santorinian Wine’).
(The ingredients are Athiri, Aidani and Assyrtiko grapes.)
From the balcony of the winery you can enjoy the Caldera view , the active volcano of the island, try the exceptional wines and why not the elegant Cycladic cuisine?
