Thira ( also spelled Thera ) is the main island of Santorini . The fascinating ruins of Ancient Thira are located on a high rocky headland called Mesa Vouna , from which there are spectacular views down to the sea .
* HISTORY
This hilltop on Thira was first inhabited by the Dorians , whose leader was Theras , in the 9th century B.C. , Thira was later occupied in the Hellenistic , Roman and Byzantine eras . Most of the buildings that survive today date from the Hellenistic era ( around the 4th century B.C. ) .
The ancient houses and larger part of the cemeteries of Ancient Thira were excavated by German archaeologists between 1895 and 1902 , while the cemeteries on the northeast and northwest slopes of Sellada were excavated by N. Zapheiropoulos in 1961-1982 .
* WHAT TO SEE
The ruins of Ancient Thira are located on a headland called Mesa Vouna between the 2 popular beaches of Kamari and Perissa . In addition to its ancient ruins , the site offers spectacular views over cliffs that drop into the sea on 3 sides .
Most of use ruins of Ancient Thira date from the Hellenistic era , but there are also extensive Roman and Byzantine remains . Buildings from different periods are mixed together throughout the site along one main street , which is intersected by smaller streets .
The main street passes through 2 agoras , which include ruins of several Greek temples . The arc of the theater embraces the town of Kamari , Fira beyond , and the open Aegean . The extensive ruins also include Hellenistic shops , Roman baths , Byzantine walls , and the stone church of Agios Stefanos .
The Hellenistic Temple of Dionysos ( 3rd century B.C. ) is a small Doric temple built on a man-made platform north of the Agora . The facade and roof were made of marble while the rest of the building was of local stone .
Founded by Artemidoros of Perge in the late 4th or early 3rd century B.C. , the Sanctuary of Artemidoros was entirely hewn from living rock . It includes various inscriptions and engravings of Artemidoros as well as the symbols of major gods : an eagle for Zeus , a lion for Apollon , a dolphin for Poseidon .
Part of the Sanctuary of Apollon Karneios ( 6th century B.C. ) is hewn from rock , while the rest is constructed on a platform . It includes a temple with pronaos and cella , a square courtyard with 6 monolithic pillars and an underground cistem and a small building , probably a repository .
There is a fine view over the site from the large Terrace of the Festivals , where boys danced naked to honor Apollon ( the performance was called the Gymnopaediae ) . This is likely related to the phallic-centered graffiti visible nearby , which dates from the Archaic to Roman period .
The cemeteries of Ancient Thira are on the slopes of the Sellada , either side of the roads that lead to the villages of Kamari and Perissa . The excavated graves span every period from the Geometric to the Roman .
* QUICK FACTS
Names : Ancient Thira , Ancient Thera , Old Thira
Type of site : Archaeological site
Faith : Ancient Greek
Status : Ruins
Dates : 800s B.C. to 800s A.C.
Location : On a hilltop 3km ( 2 miles ) south of Kamari by road , Santorini , Greece
Phone : + 30 22860 31366
Hours : Daily 08:00am to 02:30pm
Cost : 4 €
* GETTING THERE
You can reach the site by taxi , but it fitness allows , it is better on foot . The walking route passes a cave that holds the only spring on the island . Allow several hours for Ancient Thira - at least four if you walk up and down .
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