Ancient Thera: Risen from the ashes

Buried beneath volcanic ash, they remained deserted for centuries. Their systematic reinhabitation is marked by the settlement of Dorian colonists from Sparta, led by Theras, son of Autesion. The island – previously known as Kallisti – as well as the city he founded there, were named in his honor.

Built atop the steep southeastern promontory of the island – part of its pre-volcanic geological substratum – the ancient city of Thera was established in the 8th century BC, according to archaeological testimony. Serving as the urban, administrative, and religious center of the city-state of Thera throughout antiquity, the state in which it is preserved today was shaped during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.The city consists of sanctuaries, temples, places of worship, an agora, public buildings, a theatre, shops, residential quarters and a well-organized road network with a drainage system.

Thera went on the decline after the 3rd century AD, but it was still inhabited up until the 9th century, as evidenced by building modifications, Christian churches and residencies discovered among the ruins. It even provided refuge for the inhabitants of its harbors during the Arab raids.

Walking up to Ancient Thera is no joke, especially during the famous northern winds of the Cyclades. Still, walking along the ancient trails in such a deeply historical place with uninterrupted views over the Aegean Sea and the surrounding islands, is reward enough – even for the most demanding visitor.

A wealth of finds from the city and its cemeteries, attesting to the prosperous Archaic and Hellenistic periods and beyond, take pride of place at the Archaeological Museum of Thera, one of the oldest of its kind in Greece.