Ancient Thera in Santorini, Greece is a spectacular archeological site dating back to 9 BC. As a matter of fact, Thera was the ancient name for the island of Santorini. Located at one of the highest points in Santorini the views are amazing. We visited this site during our fall 2021 trip. This site is a very large and well excavated. The trail is well marked. There are steps and the path is steep and rocky at times. There is a charge for entrance. You can read more about charges, hours of operation, and dates opened here.
Location
Ancient Thera is about 20 minutes from the town of Fira in Santorini, Greece. It is located on the top of Mesa Vouno Mountain.
The Road Up
Starting in Kamari you will find the turn off for Ancient Thera, although the sign is not large. The switchback road up consists of a cobblestone paving most of the way although it was easy enough to drive on. We drove a dune buggy but saw people on motorbikes, ATV and even walking. Note that there are steep drop-offs. It was fun though and the views are spectacular.
Ancient Thera
Set high above the cliffs on a mountain top in Southeastern Santorini this ancient city is a great place to explore and also learn about the islands history. This city was inhabited from 9th century BC until 726 AD. Current belief is a volcano eruption led the city to decline and eventually become abandoned. The city had a strategic advantage because of it’s location. Moreover, you are able to see in many directions out to sea. The city was large. It included a long Main Street, housing, a theatre, an agora (town square), a stoa (public building), a temple, and Roman baths. Residents drew water from cisterns and furthermore, the town had an organized drainage system.
Church of Agios Stefanos
The Church of Agios Stefanos (Saint Stephen) was the first place we came across after walking up a fairly steep incline. It was very windy here, as a matter of fact, it was very windy throughout Ancient Thera. In the 6th century AD a basilica had been built here. At some point in time the basilica was destroyed and the Church of Agios Stefanos was built on it’s remains dating back to the 8th or 9th century AD
Temenos of Artemidoros
The Temenos of Artemidoros was founded sometime in mid 3 BC. This temenos, (meaning a temple enclosure or court), was an open air sanctuary chiseled out of rock by a man named Artemidorsos. There are carvings here of an eagle, lion, and dolphin representing gods. There is also a carving of Artemidoros himself.
Exedrae
Then Exedrae in Ancient Thera was once 3 temples in a row dates from 1 or 2 AD. This area once had statues on pedestals of the prominent citizens of this time.
Stoa
The Stoa was probably the most impressive building in Ancient Thera. A Stoa is a long building with one or more covered rows of columns running parallel along the wall which makes a walkway. This was most likely constructed before 2nd century A.D.
House of Tyche
This building was more than likely a private residence during Roman times and typical of that era. Remnants from the goddess Tyche (Fortune) were found in this ruin, therefore, giving this house a name.
Roman Baths
This public building contained a public latrine on one end and even had a hot bath room.
Theatre
Built around the second century B.C. This theatre had a capacity of approximately 1,500 people.
Private House
This was a typical Greek house during this era. This entrance would have led to a courtyard. The house would have had a cistern for water supply and also drains for sewage disposal.
Apollo Pythios Sanctuary
Built as part of the temple to honor the god Apollo Pythios, who is the patron god of Delphi or the oracle of Delphi.
Sanctuary of the Egyptian Gods
The Egyptian triad of gods, Serapis, Isis and Anubis were worshiped in Santorini in ancient days and this sanctuary was built on Thera during the 3rd century BC. The cut out rocks are places for votive offerings.
Ptolemaic Garrison Post
This building also dates to the 3rd century BC and was where the commander was based. Thera was ruled by the commander of this garrison who was appointed.
Roads and Stairs
Conclusion
Ancient Thera in Santorini, Greece was a Wow Factor for us. It is amazing how expansive this archeological site is. In all honesty, we were expecting a few ruins and instead saw an entire community. In addition, the views are awesome. Ancient Thera is not a place that seems to be a huge Santorini tourist spot, but it is an amazing Ancient Greece location. All in all, definitely worth visiting.
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Follow these Links for more posts of my 2021 Greece Vacay:
Seven Great Places to Eat in Santorini, Sept 2021
Santorini Lighthouse, Sept 2021
Lionas Beach and Apollonas Kouros, Sept 2021
Hiking Mt Zas and Cave of Za, Naxos, Sept 2021
Catamaran around Naxos, Sept 2021
Kouros of Melanes, Naxos, Sept 2021
Kalamitsia Monastery, Naxos, Sept 2021
The Portara of Naxos, Sept 2021
Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Revisited 2021
Ancient City of Lato, Sept 2021
Aforesmenos Lighthouse, Crete, Sept 2021
Avli Lounge Hotel, Rethymno, Sept 2021
Matala Beach Caves, Crete, Sept 2021
Hike to Martsalos Beach, Sept 2021
The Chapel at Georgioupoli, Sept 2021
Koutalas Beach and Sea Cave, Sept 2021
A Walk Through Chania, Sept 2021
You can click on these Links to our 2018 and also 2019 Trip Itineraries
10 Days in Greece Athens, Crete, Santorini 2019
8 Days in Greece, Athens, Milos, Santorini 2018
Diary of a Gen-X recommendations for hotels, restaurants, & tours are based on our own experiences. We do not receive compensation for recommending at any of these nor are we affiliates of any hotels, restaurants, or tours. The only hotels & restaurants we recommend are places we stay which are clean, comfortable, and also provide exceptional hospitality.
sounds like it was a nice little village back in its day. and the views from your photos look great; they must be spectacular in person!
It was a really cool place. Not busy either!
even better!
So amazing to see how advanced the old civilizations were and that the harm still befell the settlement. I imagine this being as spectacular as Ephesus, but with a much better view. Thanks for sharing Lori. Hope all is well with you. Allan
It was surprising to see how advanced they were! Thanks for reading! All is well here just busier than I’d like! Hope you are doing well too! Loro
Gosh, the views are stunning! There’s really no bad angle to Greece, is there? The blue skies make for pristine overviews, and here’s hoping that it wasn’t too hot while hiking around the site!
You are right. There is no bad angle in Greece. The blues are amazing. It was not too hot that day as the wind kept it cool.
This is fascinating. It always amazes me how, over time, blowing dust can cover and bury an entire city. I’ve got to get over to Greece, though I’d have to go in summer when there are throngs of tourists. Oh, how I hate the school year calendar sometimes!
My brother is a school counselor so he can only vacation in the summer also and complains about the crowds too! We always go in September because that’s my husbands slow season and it works pretty well, although sometimes we get a bit of a cold spell during that time. I love the history of all these ruins! Lori
So interesting, and wonderful photos!
Thank you! We enjoyed this site!!
Such an historic place!
Yes, totally amazed me!
A beautiful, informative post! Ruins as old and as intact these fascinate me. Thanks for sharing detailed pictures as well as the ones that show how high up these places are.
I too love old ruins. These were especially awesome. I was impressed with how well this site is maintained!