The Ancient Town of Akrotiri
Akrotiri is one of the most fascinating and wondrous sites rimming the island and crater of Santorini. So what is so fascinating about Akrotiri? Akrotiri was an ancient, flourishing town on Santorini that was abandoned before the massive explosion in 1450 BC that destroyed the towns and civilizations on ancient Santorini. Dubbed the “Minoan Pompeii,” the size of the ancient town is only partially known as more than 90% of the ruins have yet to be excavated.
The island of Santorini and the settlement of Akrotiri were started around 3000 BC and the civilization, which was an outpost of the ancient Minoan civilization flourished until the volcanic eruption that destroyed all of the settlements on the island. During the excavations on Akrotiri, researchers have found no human remains, meaning that residents had ample time and warning to evacuate the island before the devastating eruption in 1450 BC.
It wasn’t until 1860, when workers quarrying for ash to use in the Suez Canal found the initial remnants of the civilization that once flourished in the ancient Santorini caldera. With the excavations done so far, they’ve provided a glimpse into the ancient urban life of this advanced Minoan civilization. The buildings and art show a remarkably high level of culture, demonstrated by beautiful colorful frescoes. Of the 40 buildings excavated so far, scientists believe there are hundreds more than still need to be excavated.
Of the all the frescoes disovered, the most famous is the fisherman frescoe, which depicts a fisherman with the day’s catch. You will see this frescoe all over the shops of the Santorini caldera, notably on postcards and towels bearing this beautiful frescoe.
While most of the frescoes have been sent off to the National Museum in Athens, some frescoes remain at the Museum of Prehistoric Thira which is located adjacent next to the excavation site.
While the ancient site in Akrotiri on the Santorini Caldera was a popular tourist destination, it was closed in 2005 when a tourist was killed when the roof that was designed to protect the excavations. To this day, the excavations still haven’t opened and it looks like it won’t open until 2010 at the earliest.