Pirgos is situated 8 km southeast of Fira .
The village was built on the top of a hill and present an incredible panoramic view of the whole island .
This village of Santorini has a population of 500 inhabitants , and used to be the capital of the island until the early 1800s .
The village is formed by traditional houses built all around the Venetian castle , and the small streets follow the shape of the hill .
The village has many churches , the church of Theotokaki with its beautiful frescoes and old icons , Agia Triada , the churches of Agia Theodosia , Metamorphosi Tou Sotira ( transfiguration of the Saviour ) , Agios Nikolaos , Eisodia Tis Theotokou ( Presentation of The Virgin Mary ) and the Archangel Michael .
The most famous church of the island of Santorini is also located in the area , monastery of Profitis Ilias , 4 km away from Pirgos .
A small collection of ethnographic material and old icons can be admired in this monastery .
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