Thirasia

Even though Thirasia is located very close to Santorini, it is quite away from the frenzy rhythms of those who live in the opposite side. It is almost as if the eruption of the volcano in 1600 BC was so definitive that the two islands were kept away from each other not only in geological but also in cultural terms.

From the moment you set foot on Thirasia you will understand that you have come to a place that cannot possibly be conquered by tourism. As you walk through the island’s villages, Potamos, Agrilia and Manolas, you will come across narrow pathways where genuine islanders walk. The companiles of the churches and the houses are coloured with bright shades of blue, yellow and green, and the landscape is complemented by multi-colored flower beds.

The first inhabited village you will come across on the island is Potamos ( potami in Greek means river) and took this name as it is built by a ravine. Most of the houses are built into the volcanic rock. Among its most well known churches are Panagia the Griatrissa and Agios Dimitrios. Agrilia is the oldest and largest village on Thirasia. It has an extremely picturesque landscape with houses built into the volcanic rock as well as canavas. The village is home to the churches of Panagia of Isodion and Panagia of Lagadiou which has a unique architecture that dates back to 1887. The capital of the island is Manolas, which is suspended above the caldera and has a view of Santorini. The church of Agios Konstantinos dating back to 1874, can also be found here. Kera or Keradiana was an inhabited area about thirty or fourty years ago. Today, the area offers many memories of that times as well as a wonderful view.

The only visitors of the island are relatives of the inhabitants and those who arrive by tourist boat just to make a tour. Thirasia has a community center with a great number of personnel, a well equipped heliport, a central irrigation network, lodgings with a view to Caldera.

WHERE TO GO

The Wine Museum, Kamari Beach tel : 22860 31322

The traditional village “Vanishing Santorini” tel: 22860 31101

The Icons and Relics Collection of Pyrgos tel: 22860 31812

The Museum of Minerals and Fossils tel: 6977260048

WINERIES

BOUTARI WINERY OF SANTORINI tel: 22860 81011

(wines: Kallisti, Kallisti Reserve, Selladia Boutari Estate, Boutari Assyrtiko, Santorini Boutari VQPRD and Vinsanto Boutari VQPRD)

CANAVA ROUSSOS tel: 22860 31349

(wines: Caldera, Nykteri, Santorini, Rivari, Athiri, Mavrathiro, Nama and vinsanto)

HATZIDAKIS WINERY tel: 22860 32552

( wines: Santorini, Nykteri, Aidani-Assyrtiko, Santorini barrel, Mavrotragano, Vinsanto)

SIGALAS ESTATE tel: 22860 71644

(wines: Santorini, Santorini barrel, Assyrtiko-Athiri, Niabelo red, Mavrotragano, Vinsanto, Mezzo)

ARGYROS ESTATE village of Mesa Gonia tel: 22860 31489

(wines: Argyros Estate, Argyros Estate barrel, Aidani, Canava Argyros, Atlantis white, rose, red, Vinsanto, Mezzo)

GAVALA VINEYARD Megalochori tel: 22860 82552

(wines: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mantilaria, Voudomato, Mavrotragano, Katsano and Gaidouria , Santorini, Katsano, Xenoloo, Vinsanto)

GAIA WINEMAKERS beach Agia Paraskevi tel: 6945 777 814

(wines: Thalassitis, Thalassitis barrel)

KOUTSOGIANNOPOULOS WINERY Kamari beach tel: 22860 31322

(wines: Lava white, Ampelones white, Ampelones barrel, En Lefko, Nykteri, Agali white, Lava red, Koutsogiannopoulos rose, Ampelones red, Agali red, Vinsanto Koutsogiannopoulos, Vinsanto Kamaritis, Mezzo Koutsogiannopoulos

BEACHES

White beach, Red beach, Gialos, Almyra, Vlychada, Perissa, Perivolos, Agios Georgios, Monolithos, Avis, Kamari, Karterados, Baxedes or Paradisos, Koloumbo, Exo Gialos, Kanakari, Caldera,