Santorini (Thira)
July 19, 2018
|
On Day 8, I hopped on the bus from Fira to Kamari, a beach town on the eastern side of the island. It is just below the Mesa Vouno Mountain, which is about 365 metres high.
On top of the mountain is the remains of Ancient Thera, a town built there by the Dorians of Sparta in the 8th century BC because of its excellent observation location and
natural fortification. By the 4th century, the Egyptians had taken over and it was a naval and military base for the Ptolemaic empire, and they left in 145 BC.
The Romans took over by the 1st century BC and left by the 3rd century AD. After that it was a Byzantine Christian town, the only urban settlement on the island.
After a 726 AD volcanic eruption, and many years of raids by Arab invaders, the town was abandoned.
|
Above: Grape growing is the number one agricultural activity on Santorini, with grapevines all over the island, primarily Assyrtiko grapes.
The grapevines are shaped in a basket to protect the fruit from hot sun and high winds, and to suck in moisture overnight, as it rarely rains in the summer months.
|
|
1 and 2 show some grapevines on the eastern coast that are staked, grow tall and some have irrigation to provide water.
3 to 5 show the beach town of Kamari.
started prior to Greece's financial trouble, and leaving them in this state instead of finishing them greatly reduces the property tax.
6 and 7 show the approximately 3 km. drive/walk to the top of the mountain and Ancient Thera. Some people did walk it, but most drove ATV's, cars
or the 10 Euro round trip in shuttle van, which I enjoyed.
8 and 9 show the view from the top of Mesa Vouno, the 365 metre high mountain Ancient Thera is at the top of.
10 and 11 are a map of Ancient Thera and the name of key buildings.
|
|
|
