The prehistoric negotiation of Akrotiri on the island of Santorini (Thíra) is among the most vital sites in the Aegean. In prehistory it was a well connected Minoan port community, with links to mainland Greece and as away as Egypt and Syria. As the community was covered in ash complying with a volcanic eruption on the island, conservation of the settlement is remarkable, making this of one of the most considerable archaeological sites in Greece.
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Today the site is covered by a bioclimatic roofing system as well as walkways are put on hold over the archaeological remains, that allows visitors to stroll amongst the two as well as three-storey buildings. Walkways suspended above the archaeological remnants of the ancient port at Akrotiri. Walkways lead visitors around an energetic historical excavation.
History behind Akrotiri – Santorini
Akrotiri is described as the ‘Greek Pompeii‘ due to the fact that the place was covered in ashes. As well as, like its Italian name, a charred bed was additionally recouped by archaeologists. This together with a variety of frescoes and also other artefacts get on screen in the Akrotiri of Thera Room in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
Although the earliest evidence of habitation days to the Late Neolithic times (around 6,000 years ago), it was not up until the Late Bronze Age (cira 4,000 years ago) that Akrotiri had become one of the major city centres as well as ports in the Aegean Sea. The extent of the negotiation is an estimated 20 hectares; although it has actually not all been discovered.
Significant features in Akrotiri – Santorini
A fancy water drainage system was discovered in Akrotiri, as well as was composed of sophisticated multi-storey buildings that were decorated with charming wall-paintings. The top quality and also amount of the furniture and also ceramic vessels are evidence of the town’s prosperity. Whereas the numerous imported things recuperated by excavators indicate a broad network of interaction across the Mediterranean; from Crete and also the Dodecanese islands to landmass Greece, from Cyprus to Egypt and Syria.
At some point towards the end of the 17th century BC the residents of the town were required to leave after a series of severe quakes. There complied with a volcanic eruption, the ash of which totally covered the island and also the town. The precise day of the eruption is questioned, however it is typically accepted that this was the biggest volcanic eruption in the last 4,000 years.
Book a Private Santorini Tour to Get to Akrotiri
The historical site of Akrotiri is directly south of the modern village with the exact same name, at the south-western part of the crescent designed island of Thíra, the largest island in the Santorini island chain.
Akrotiri is easy to drive to if you have a rental vehicle or your own one. Yet having a car of tour own is not that vital. Public transport is difficult especially on high season, and also there are few buses from Fira (the main bus terminal for the island) to the parking area at Akrotiri Red Beach throughout the week.
Alternatively, book a private Santorini tour to take advantage all your free time and see more apart from the archaeological site of Akrotiri. Some of the private Santorini tours consist of a hotel transfer.