Ancient Thira

Ancient Thira Review

Archaeology buffs will want to visit the site of ancient Thira. There are relics of a Dorian city, with 9th-century BC tombs, an engraved phallus, Hellenistic houses, and traces of Byzantine fortifications and churches. At the Sanctuary of Apollo, graffiti dating to the 8th century BC record the names of some of the boys who danced naked at the god's festival (Satie's famed musical compositions, Gymnopedies, reimagine these). To get here, hike up from Perissa or Kamari or take a taxi up Mesa Vouna. On the summit are the scattered ruins, excavated by a German archaeology school around the turn of the 20th century; there's a fine view.