Akrotiri & Pyrgos

We hired a small car today to explore. First stop was Akrotiri in the south. This was a truly amazing experience. It is an archeological site that has excavated the ancient capital city of Santorini that was covered in volcanic ash in 1700BC. There were no human remains, so it is thought the city was evacuated before the eruption. However, the dig uncovered 3 to 4 storey buildings, furniture, such as bed frames and carved tables and cupboards and rooms full of elaborate earthenware pots. Everything is housed in a massive structure which protects the site. One of the most mind boggling facts was that the area excavated is believed to be only 4% of the original city. Even more than this, there is the sophisticated architecture, multi-storey buildings, wall paintings and creature comforts that have been found in a city that existed about 3,700 years ago! We would highly recommend a visit here if you ever come to Santorini.

After a lunch of fresh grilled fish at a restaurant overlooking the marina and fishing port we had taken our Catamaran cruise from the other day, we headed to Pyrgos, a small village on a hill top. This was a maze of narrow alleys with stunning views of blue doomed churches, bell towers and on the peak, an old castle. On reaching the peak there were views across the whole of Santorini.

We ended our day at Santo Winery, with a guided tour and Sue sampling the produce. Santo Winery is on a promontory of land just south of Fira, with wonderful views across the Caldera. Mind you, there aren’t many places in Santorini that don’t have wonderful views.

Tomorrow we take our first ferry transfer to Milos. Let the Island hopping begin!!