ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Two great civilizations have left their mark on Santorini: one belongs to prehistoric times and is apparent in what has been coming to light in the excavations at Akrotiri. The other is a Greek civilization represented by the ancient city located on Mesa Vouno.

PREHISTORIC THERA: AKROTIRI

The ancient city at Akrotiri is not merely the most important archaeological site on the island, it is also, thanks to its excellent state of preservation and the wealth of findings it has yielded, the most important prehistoric settlement found anywhere in the Eastern Mediterranean. Akrotiri could be called the prehistoric Pompeii of the Aegean.

Related link: Greek Ministry of Culture

The Akrotiri archaeological site is temporarily closed to the public due to work in progress at the new environmental shelter which covers the site.

ANCIENT THERA: MESA VOUNO

The strategic qualifications of the site attracted the attention of the Lacedaemonian colonisers of the island who founded their city upon the limestone rock of Mesa Vouno. From the 9th century B.C. until the spread of Christianity, the city of Mesa Vouno was the only urban center of the island.

Related link: Thera Institut - Petros M. Nomikos