Akrotiri on Santorini is one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean and gradually developed into one of the main urban centers and ports of the Minoan civilization during the Bronze Age.
Take a look at Touristorama video about Akrotiri Prehistoric Settlement before your visit there...
The first habitation at Thera (Santorini) and Therasia dates from the Late Neolithic times, at least the 4th millennium BC being at that time a considerable centre of Cycladic civilization. During the Bronze Age, in the 3rd millennium BC, Akrotiri was developed into a sizeable settlement that flourished mainly because of the trading relations with Crete, the center of Minoan civilization and is the most important Minoan site known to us outside of Crete. Akrotiri bears much resemblance to the Minoan sites of Crete with certain architectural features clearly originated on Crete.
The acme of Akrotiri came to an abrupt end in the 17th century BC when the volcano of Thera erupted. Prior to the volcanic eruption there must have been some severe earthquakes and the inhabitants were obliged to abandon the island as very few human remains were found. The Thera eruption covered the entire island and buried the settlement at Akrotiri. The volcanic materials however, have protected up to date the buildings and their contents, just like in Pompei and Akrotiri is a site frozen in time. The size of the city is very difficult to be estimated because of the depth of the volcanic ash that covers it but there are indications that it may have been around 20 hectares. If this is correct, then only a fraction of the site has been excavated.
The Akrotiri excavations include several large multistory houses notable for very well-preserved frescoes illustrating pictures of every day life in vivid colors like birds, plants, women and men in sports activities, closely resembling Minoan murals on Crete. There is also an elaborate drainage system, sophisticated furniture and pottery that show the great development and prosperity of Akrotiri. The various imported objects found in the buildings indicate the wide network of its external relations with Crete, the Greek Mainland, the Dodecanese, Cyprus, Syria and Egypt.
Exploration of the island of Thera began in 1845, and the extensive archaeological excavation began by the archaeologist and volcanologist Ferdinand Fouqué. In 1967, the Greek archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos began unearthing the beautifully preserved site. After Marinatos’s death in 1974, Christos Doumas continued the project.
The archaeological site opened once again for visitors in April 2012, after it has been closed for restoration as a roof structure collapsed in 2005, resulting in killing one visitor. Many of the artifacts found in the archaeological site in Akrotiri are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Fira in Santorini and in the Thera Exhibition in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
We have been choosing Parea Tavern for our meals and dinners for 14 years! Every time someone from Touristorama travels to the island of Santorini, he enjoys authentic Greek cuisine at the terrace of this restaurant in the heart of Fira. And we are not the only ones. Thousands of tourists include it among their favorites on the volcanic island.
The Marmita Restaurant is now a part of the history of Santorini, since it has been operating in Megalochori since 2004. From 2013 it s been running under the observation of new owner Giannis Manikas and the sense of renewal is obvious.
It opened in 2004 and soon became one of the favourite dining spots in Santorini. It is called Metaxy mas which means.. between us, but it is not a secret any more that this restaurant has a rich menu with almost 40 different dishes and appetizers based on traditional Greek cuisine.
Explore the fascinating volcanic island of Santorini the way you want it yourself! Enjoy a unique accommodation experience, with huge doses of privacy and luxury by choosing to stay in Incognito Villa.
Touristorama has been travelling all around Greece and its islands for over a decade. This year, during our trip to Naxos, the biggest of the Cyclades complex, we discovered an interesting spot, perfect for your night out on the island… which is what we do best: finding the best places and then propose you should visit them! Prime is a Scandinavian Bar, located on a privileged position in Chora of Naxos, opposite the port. It’s been operating for 21 years and enjoys a great fame to both foreign and local tourists.
Like a relay race of three generations; a journey with happy days, sad days, joys,
sorrows, wars, Occupation, poverty, hunger, deaths, volcanic eruptions, catastrophic earthquakes, flee for a better life, return, better days, feasts, tourism
explosion, financial crises and so on… Everything has been indelibly inscribed on
the walls of this small building, Aktaion. I feel grateful that life has given me the
opportunity to hold the reins of Aktaion all the way to its centennial.
The best thing to do when you get to Naxos is to rent a car. Even if, there is public transportation, there could be long delays while waiting for buses. The most convenient option is to visit Naction...
The statue of Poseidon, made of Parian marble, was found in 1877 on Milos island, along with a statue of his mate, Amphitrite. The larger than life-size statue depicts the god almost nude, wearing a himation...
For the second consecutive year, three dynamic bodies, the Benaki Museum, Costa Navarino and Athens International Airport, join forces for culture. Leveraging on the Benaki Museum collection of printed...
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera houses finds from the excavations at Akrotiri, conducted under the auspices of the Archaeological Society at Athens, the earlier excavations at Potamos, made by members...
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