Page 126 - ANDRONIS_2021

Experience Santorini’s charm hides in unexpected forget to visit at the westernmost At the steps of A MedievAl cAstle

Go to Akrotiri village and don’t
All of sudden, everything that resembles a classic Santorini
edge of the island, a lighthouse
moments. The hinterland and other which was constructed in 1892 by postcard is behind you. Pyrgos, the island’s capital until 1800, is
the French Lighthouse Company.
10 km from Fira. Enthusiasts of the island visit it time and again
A locals’ favourite!
to experience something out of the ordinary. The village of Pyrgos
hidden spots have extraordinary stories – which stands for “tower” – exudes a Medieval aura, standing
proud within the island’s hinterland and looking nothing like the
to tell, which they whisper to travellers other villages or coastal locations of Santorini. At the tallest spot
of Santorini, Profitis Ilias – an Orthodox monastery from the
10th century, and right in the heart of Pyrgos is a Medieval castle
eager to truly explore the island. surrounded by houses built in a semicircle around it. It is a listed
monument that spreads the essence of Venetian Rule, of old stately
homes, of churches and of simple houses all the way through the
alleys, mesmerising visitors.
high up in Akrotiri’s lighthouse
At the westernmost edge of the island, a lighthouse which was
constructed in 1892 by the French Lighthouse Company does not
just illuminate the sea. It sends a message of beauty from the past
to the entire island, from a spot which – often unbeknownst to
visitors – is the locals’ favourite. This is exactly where the people of
Santorini go to watch the sunset, having crossed Akrotiri village by
car. Whether arriving by car or motorcycle, visiting the lighthouse
is a pilgrimage to the past. It stands ten metres tall and used to run
on petrol. During WWII, it remained unlit until 1945. It converted
to electricity in 1983, while in 1988 its function was automated.
Today, it gives off white light flashes every 10 seconds which can
be seen from 24 nautical miles away.

the secret life of fArMers
Nothing was easy for Cyclades farmers. In Santorini, too, the
soil lacked water, the vegetation was scarce and the island was at
the mercy of strong Aegean winds. In short houses with the old
wooden doors, people tallied their harvest unaware that tourism
was fast approaching their doorstep. Their concerns and everyday
discussions revolved around their vines, split pea fields, tomatoes
and other vegetables in the patch as well as the water reserves they
kept in underground tanks. Motor vehicles and transportation
were no given, and that was why donkeys were the main means of
transport of goods and people. Even today, donkeys graze under
the hot sun next to dirt roads and dry stone walls… These short
walls would outline farmlands and form small paths between the
fields. Discover intriguing details of farm life away from coastal
Santorini, far from the cosmopolitan clamour.

cliMbing the volcAno
Some visitors will find it a peculiar option. But this trip to Nea
Kameni is enchanting. Following an experienced guide, the climb
starts in an otherworldly volcanic landscape. Continue uphill
towards the crater and you can only see few plants – a glimmer
of hope against a dark background. After approximately half an
hour, you reach the craters. Touch the ground and you’ll notice
the temperature is much higher. The view of the volcano from
Santorini may be dreamy, but the grey calmness of ground zero
hides a tension that stirs powerful new emotions. •

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