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Santorini, a creation of peeved nature, due to her special
history and legends that follow her, the traditional settlements
and the vivid cosmic life, has conquered the whole world.
It
is the southest island of Cyclades. Literally it's a complex
of islands comprised from Thera, Therasia, Aspronisi, Palea
and Nea Kameni.
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It
is an island with long history that has suffered a lot of
catastrophes due to volcano eruptions that have changed
its shape.
But
human power turned to be stronger than rough nature. Today
the -almost- lunar scenery with the black, grey and red
volcanic rocks has turned into a white state. The mild architecture
of Cyclades islands has changed the island's sight. The
graphic villages, with the narrow cobblestone pavements,
the small squares and their churches impress every visitor.
View to volcano that most tourist resorts have- is spectacular.
The picture is unique especially sunset. Photos of Santorini's
sunset are all around the world. At dawn all visitors run
to Kaldera to see the reddish sky.
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All
of Santorini is a site. The significant archaeological places
(Akrotiri, Ancient Thera) the museums, the monasteries, the
churches, the tenable settlements, the volcano, all pieces
of a puzzle that join yesterday with today and prove how special
Santorini is.
Vivid life tempos characterize Santorini. It's one of the
most cosmopolitan islands in Greece with tourist development.
It offers high standard services to all visitors.
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Sunset
to Santorini |
As
for accommodation you will find hotels and rooms to let of
all categories that satisfy all demands. Concerning gastronomic
delights, Santorini's cuisine is famous for its special dishes,
you can accompany with the local wine. Concerning nightlife
and options for entertainment Santorini satisfies all preferences.
Santorini has an airport that connects the island with Athens
and most of the big cities, while in its port arrive in everyday
courses ferries from Piraeus, Crete and the rest of Cyclades
islands.
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| Fira:
unique beauty... |
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One
of the most beautiful cities of Greece is Fira. The capital
of Santorini is built in an impressive location on the top of
the abrupt rocks, in a 260m height.
It was established at the end of the 18th century and it's structured
according to the traditional architecture of Cyclades islands.
Fira is located 10km from Santorini's port. Touring around the
city will be a thing to remember. Graphic neighborhoods, white
houses, churches with blue cupolas, characterize this charming
capital. In its paths of great resort you will find a lot of
shops, coffeehouses and restaurants to remind you that you are
in the most cosmopolitan island of Cyclades.
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Fira: the picturesque town
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During
your stay in Fira, worth visiting is the museums that host priceless
findings from excavations in the island's archaeological sites.
The Archaeological Museum of Thera hosts collections of sculptures
and inscriptions dated from the archaic and roman times, as
and ceramic, and made of clay, small statues from the geometric
and hellenistic times.
The museum of prehistoric Thera is considered one of the most
important in Greece as it exhibits findings that came to light
from excavations in Village Akrotiri. Highly impressive are
the grandiose murals. |
The
Folklore museum |
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In
the highest spot of the capital is located Firostefani.
The last and most graphic settlement of the city that has
an extraordinary view.
Here you will experience one of the best sunsets in Santorini.
The village has now become one of the most cosmopolitan tourist
resorts. Luxurious hotels, restaurants, cafes and clubs create
the ideal scenery for dreamy holidays. |
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Sunset
to Firostefani |
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During
your tour around the island you will see the traditional settlements
and the beaches of Santorini.
One of the villages you have to visit is Imerovigli. It is built
in a privileged location, the highest spot of kaldera, in a
300m height between Fira and Oia.
This graphic settlement is considered conserved and it's ideal
for romantic walks.
The houses built according to the traditional architecture of
Cyclades islands and the dreamy view from the village leave
no one untouched.
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Imerovigli:
the traditional settlement |
In
Imerovigli you will see the remains of the Enetic castle "Skaros"
built by Marcus Sanoudos, used as a winepress during the Venetian
rule. The path from Skaros leads to the small church of Theoskepasti
that has a spectacular view to the volcanic islands Palea
and Nea Kameni. |
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Approaching
Oia, one of the most famous summer resorts you will be fascinated
by the incredible beauty that lies before your eyes. It's the
first settlement in Greece considered conserved.
It's located in the north part of the island and it would be
a pity not seeing it. Especially at dawn to see one of the most
beautiful sunsets in Greece. Oia's name is connected with sunset.
Every afternoon, when the horizon is painted with the colours
of fire, crowds of people "hang" in caldera to see
this unique spectacle. |
The famous
Ia |
The
carved in rocks settlement, house- caves, that are excavated
in rocks, are its characteristic. That kind of settlement
can only be found in Santorini, due to its particular type
of ground. |
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF AKROTIRI
It is one of the most important prehistoric settlements of
the Aegean. The first habitation at the site dates from the
Late Neolithic times (at least the 4th millenium B.C.). During
the Early Bronze Age (3rd millenium B.C.), a sizeable settlement
was founded and in the Middle and early Late Bronze Age (ca.
20th-17th centuries B.C.) it was extended and gradually developed
into one of the main urban centres and ports of the Aegean.
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The
large extent of the settlement (ca. 20 hectares), the elaborate
drainage system, the sophisticated multi-storeyed buildings
with the magnificent wall-paintings, furniture and vessels,
show its great development and prosperity. The various imported
objects found in the buildings indicate the wide network of
its external relations.
Akrotiri was in contact with Crete but also communicated with
the Greek Mainland, the Dodecanese, Cyprus, Syria and Egypt.
The town's life came to an abrupt end in the last quarter
of the 17th century B.C. when the inhabitants were obliged
to abandon it as a result of severe earthquakes. The erruption
followed. The volcanic materials covered the entire island
and the town itself. These materials, however, have protected
up to date the buildings and their contents, just like in
Pompei. |
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ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF THERA
It was built in 1960 by the Ministry of Public Works in order
to replace the old museum (built in 1902), which had collapsed
during the earthquakes of 1956.
The
Museum contains the following collections: Sculpture, ranging
from the Archaic to the Roman period.
Inscriptions, ranging from the Archaic to the Roman period.
Vases and clay figurines, dating from the Geometric to the
Hellenistic periods.
Phone
: 003 02860 22217
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MUSEUM OF PREHISTORIC THERA
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera houses finds from the excavations
at Akrtotiri, conducted under the auspices of the Archaeological
Society at Athens, the earlier excavations at Potamos, made
by members of the German Archaeological Institute at Athens,
and rescue excavations at various other sites on the island,
carried out by the 21st Ephorate of Antiquities for the Cyclades
and Samos, as well as objects discovered fortuitously or handed
over.
Phone:
+30 22860 23217
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MARITIME
MUSEUM
In Oia, the picturesque traditional town on the northwest
side of Santorini, an old mansion has been restored and converted
into a museum that houses the Maritime History of Thera. Rare
figureheads, seamens' chests, old maritime equipment, carrening
drawings and patterns, models of old and new Theran ships,
acquarelles featuring old sailling vessels, a submarine's
petiscope as well
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as rare photographs and a library, all register year by year
the contribution of the Therans to the glorious Hellenic Maritime
History.
There is a cd-rom of the Museum, which includes all the above
and a detailled report of the Maritime history of Thera throughout
the centuries.
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ARCHONTIKO
ARGYROU
On the island of Santorini, in Cyclades, Greece, at Messaria
village, only 3 km from Fira town and 2 km from Monolithos beach,
stands Archontiko Argyrou Guest House and Private Museum. In
1888 George Argyros, landowner and wine-merchant, builds on
the top of a traditional house this neoclassic mansion and decorates
it with wall paintings, furniture and ornaments. In 1956 a big
earthquake destroys part of the building and leaves it uninhabitable
for thirty five years. |
In
1985, by decision of the Minister of Culture Melina Merkouri
the house was characterized as a work of art and a remarkable
specimen of the architecture of its time.
The
restoration of the building, that was by this decision named
ARCHONTIKO ARGYROU, starts in 1987. Today the building presents
and offers to the visitor a unique and authentic glimpse
into the Greek cultural heritage. It brings to life the
appearance and the atmosphere of another age and another
way of life. The charm of the 19th century. The first floor
is completely different, reserved to those who would like
to visit the magnificent house of a 19th century landowner.
Guided visits are offered at low fee since April to October.
Enjoy
the local architecture, the vaulted ceilings, the floors
paved by volcanic stones and generally the traditional atmosphere
of the ground floor that the guest can feel along with the
modern comforts of today without losing the magic of the
romantic past.
Under
the suggestive aura of its neoclassical architecture, the
visitors' eyes leisurely rest on the peace of the traditional
cobble-stoned patios.
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FOLKLORE
MUSEUM FIRA
The folklore museum of Santorini is located in Fira at a place
called Kontohori.
The museum is hosted into traditional cave houses of 1861. We
suggest to take the small walk from the main square of Fira
to discover the gem Mr Manolis Lignos has created. |
Santorini
Airport
First operated in 1972, Santorini Airport consists of the Air
Terminal building (10,000 sq.m.), the main runway (16-34,2,120m.X30m.)
and the 16.000 sq.m. aircraft parking apron (two aircraft capacity)
and is still upgrating.
The buildings are built according to the traditional cycladic
arcitecture. The Airport is going to get upgrade to "International"
during the 2005. |
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The
improvement of Santorini Airport was achieved through a
series of upgrading works-already brought into operation-not
only in the Air Terminal building (check-in-counters, conveyer
belts, escalator), but also in the rest of the Airport's
plants (lighting of the apron, fencing, surrounding area),
with a budget amounting to 310mil.Drs. Santorini Airport
is now composed of the Air Terminal building (2,510 sq.m.),
the main runway (16-34,2,120m.X30m.) and the 16.000 sq.m.
aircraft parking apron (two aircraft capacity).
Passenger
Facilities:
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Tax Free shopping
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Jewellery
shop
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ATM by Emporiki Bank
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Meteorological Applications Center
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Cargo & Buggages Belts
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Flight Information Display System
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Olympic & Aegean Airlines Offices
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Pandair & Plotin Travel Agencies
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Herz, Europcar, Axion & Budget Rent a car Offices
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Information services
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Customhouse services
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