Fira is the capital of Santorini, and is the most important of all the villages of the island. Located on the west side of the island and is 10 km far from the main port of the island, Athinios.
Fira has a population of about 1,600 inhabitants. It is situated on the edge of a cliff at an altitude of 260 meters and offers a panoramic view of the submerged volcano. In 1956, the island of Santorini was hit by an earthquake that destroyed much of the island. A part of the city of Fira was destroyed, but fortunately, some of the eighteenth century buildings were saved.
The town of Fira is a typical village of the Cyclades islands made of charming white houses with blue windows and doors, separated by small cobblestone streets. Many of its beautiful buildings were built in the time of the invasion of Venice, including some blue domed churches and sun-drenched terraces offering incredible views of the volcano and the sunset.
Sunset at Fira, Santorini
Today, Fira is a busy city. During the summer and in high season, downtown streets are crowded and full of all kinds of shops, jewelers, restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs. Still concentrated tourist traffic in the city, many areas are still in silence. One can find places to relax and enjoy magnificent views of the island and its surroundings.
Cable car at Fira, Santorini
For those seeking a better understanding of the culture of the island, you can make a visit to the Archaeological Museum in the ancient Minoan settlement of Akrotiri. The city also has many churches and monasteries, as Agios Minas, Hypapandi Cathedral, the Cathedral of Christ the monastery of Panagia ton Dominikanidon, Panagia tou Rodariou and Catholic Cathedral.
Fira port, Santorini
The Megaron Gyzi museum has a fascinating collection of photos of Fira before and after the earthquake of 1956. Fira also has a port that was for many years, the main port of Santorini. Today, this port is used only for cruise ships. From there, boats can take visitors on a tour to the volcano of Nea Kameni and Palia.
What you should see & do:
Volcano tour and hot springs bath: the Santorini volcano consists of two small islands (Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni) black lava located in the center of the basin of Santorini and are the youngest existing islets on the Eastern Mediterranean. Palea Kameni is about 2000 years old, while Nea Kameni does not exceed 500 years. The Caldera offers an incredible spectacle of the villages on the high cliffs, especially at sunset. You can visit the volcano by the ferries daily. One can walk through solid walls of black lava of the volcano and discover the crater of the volcano and other openings with sulfur vapor. It is in this area where you can have a bath because of the hot water.
The Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral is set to the bottom of the city and is visible from many parts of the island. It has a patio and an impressive bell tower. The curves of the arches are reflected in the design of the dome. It has a mosaic on the exterior of the cathedral, but only dates from 1975. The cathedral dates from the nineteenth century but was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1956, so you can say it is quite modern.
The Catholic Cathedral has a great contrast with its neighbors Byzantines. Stresses the clock tower, beautifully adorned in with the bells. The interior is decorated with large portraits of religious pilasters. The interior dome is made up of lilac blue and orange and cream. Do not forget to check out the confessional door. The cathedral has been restored and opened in 1975 after suffering an earthquake in the fifties.
The Dominican Convent is located in the predominantly Catholic neighborhood of Fira and is home to twelve nuns who came from twelve different countries. It is not very difficult to locate the Dominican Convent, as it is located in the center of the city. This is a highly revered monastery by persons belonging to the Christian faith. Inside the convent you will find a church that is conspicuous by its wonderful traditional architecture of Santorini. There is a road that winds through the convent and if you’re lucky, you can hear the nuns singing Vespers.
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera is set in Fira and are exposed the results of prehistoric times that have been excavated at Akrotiri, the ancient Thira and other areas of Santorini. The exhibits include ceramics, marble statues, frescoes from Akrotiri Minoan, tools and weapons.
Gyzi Megaron is the place where is located the Cyltural Center of Santorini. Exhibits include old maps, prints, old photos of Santorini and a library of rare editions. In summer, many cultural events are hosted there.
The Archaeological Museum of Santorini is located in Fira, the capital of the island. Houses sculpture, ceramics, statues, vases small and the results of the ancient cemetery of Thera. The sample may not be as impressive as the exhibits at the Museum of Prehistoric but it’s worth a visit.
Belloni and Cultural Center is located in a beautiful building in Fira. It houses a library of rare editions of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and frequently organizes art exhibitions, lectures, musical concerts, theatrical performances and other events.
The Folklore Museum of Santorini is located in Kontohori, a suburb of Fira on the way to Oia . This museum is a private initiative of Mr. Emanouel Lignos and is located in a typical cave home of 1861. The museum includes an underground cellar with wine-press, traditional crafts workshops, a gallery and a small chapel dedicated to Agios Konstantinos.
