In Pyrgos' castle, in Santorini, a special exhibition operates that displays Byzantine icons and church relics. In the exhibition, which was founded in 1997 and is housed in the church of Agia Triada, you can admire among others:
- Icons made of Santorinian and Cretan hagiographers
- Ecclesiastical embroidery and vestments
- Woodcarvings
and numerous other ecclesiastical objects.
For more information about the Icons & Relics Collection of Pyrgos, please contact the phone 22860- 31812.
The Museum 'Vanishing Santorini " is in Pyrgos, Santorini' s beautiful inland village.
After restorating an old traditional canavas (winery) in 1895, the creator of the museum Giannis Chrisos has created a very special space, in which the traditional lifestyle of a "Vanishing Santorini" is presented.
Here you can learn everything concerning traditional winemaking and the creation of the famous Santorini wine, starting from the collection of grapes. You will also have the chance to see first hand all the traditional ways of processing the two other renowned products of Santorini, split peas and tomato.
A special part of the museum is the representation of an old rural house with authentic old furniture and tools, as well as the display of old professions that no longer exist - such as cooper and tinker.
Luckily for you, the museum cooperates with a restaurant where visitors can have a full gastronomic experience with traditional greek spices. Of course, around the corner you will also find a gift shop.
More information can be found in www.santorini-museum.com and the number 22860-31101.
For those who love live music, Santorini offers a variety of options.
Every year in Santorini the Santorini Jazz Festival is organized. The festival is held in August at Kamari and gathers jazz music enthusiasts from all around the world. World-known jazz musicians have taken part in this festival that every year becomes more and more famous.
Moreover, the International Music Festival of Santorini is yearly organized and it takes place in the early days of September in Fira. Each year prominent artists of classical and other kinds of music, take part. More information can be found in www.santorinimusicfestival.com and the number 22860- 23166.
A wide range of music events that include all kinds of music( gclassical, greek, traditional etc. ) are organized in Santorini arts factory (www.santoriniartsfactory.gr and tel. 22860 85141), in Gyzi Megaron ( www.megarogyzi.gr and tel. 22860 23077) and in other parts of the island, especially in summer.
For more information contact the Cultural Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) in number 22860- 24828.
The Lighthouse of Akrotiri is 18 km from Fira, close to the namesake village. It was built in 1892 by the company La Société Collas et Michel. Its tower has a height of 10 meters, it initially functioned with oil and its light was visible from a distance of 23 nautical miles. In 1983 electricity was used for its activation, while around 1988 it went fully automatic.
No matter the number of words that have been or will be written about the sunset in Santorini, nothing will ever be enough to describe it in all its splendor. The impressive caldera and magnificent views of the volcano, make the sunset in Santorini a sui generis spectacle. Visitors from all over the world come to enjoy it, fall in love or even get married in this majestic setting. An infinite number of films has been shot here, there are endless documentaries that exalt it and there is not even one visitor who went to Santorini and didn't get not only one but several pictures of this truly wonderful sunset. It is more than a view, it's an experience. If you have not yet been a part of it, book now. And if you have... Well, there is no need for words. Now you know better and you'll surely come back to Santorini and enjoy it.
The volcano of Santorini is the most famous among the volcanoes forming the Aegean volcanic arc.
It is one of the largest underwater volcanoes, it is still active and its famous caldera is the only inhabited one in the whole world.
The biggest recorded eruption of the volcano was in 1600 BC. This eruption is also known as the Minoan eruption, not only because the people of Crete were affected too, but mainly because --according to some-- it contributed greatly to the final devastation of the Minoan civilization.
The circular island that was once there (Strogyli) was almost destroyed by the eruption. Its central piece sank, while its remains now include Santorini, Thirassia, Palia and Nea Kameni. Due to the volcano, a great mass of pumice stones ejected in the air and were later found even in remote areas such as Paros, Lemnos, Samothrace, Crete and Egypt. Also, a large tsunami was created, perhaps the largest in the Mediterranean.
Now 8 volcanic craters can be found in total, seven in Old Kameni and one in Nea Kameni, which is the youngest island in the Mediterranean. One more underwater crater, the Koloubos, is located in the northwestern part of the island, near Oia. Although the volcano today is calm, you can see gases and fumes being released.
You can visit the volcanoes by boat from Gialos in Fira or Athinio and Ammoudi in Oia. The small boats will take you to Palia and Nea Kameni.
