ira is the capital of Santorini with a population of about 1650 people. The origin of the name "Fira" is from the adjective "pyrros" which means reddish, flame-colored, or even yellowish and which has come to modern Greek as "fyros" or "firos". Fira stands on the edge of a sheer cliff, 260m above the sea. The combination of magnificent landscape and volcano with the famous Cycladic architecture makes Fira one of the worlds most beautiful places.

n Fira one should visit the old Catholic Dominican Convent and the Orthodox and Catholic cathedrals. One also should not miss a visit to the Archaelogical Museum of Fira that has on display mainly finds from the excavations at Mesa Vouno conducted by Friedrich Hiller von Goertringen between 1896 and 1900. There are also finds and private collections dating from the period previous to this dig and finds from the most recent investigation of the Akrotiri site by archaeologist Spyros Marinatos.

unique experience is a donkey ride along the road that leads at the old harbor. The road, known as "dromos tou Gialoy", spirals down to sea level, consisting of 587 broad steps. But above all the thing to do in Fira is a stroll through its streets. The white houses with their arches, the terraces and balconies with their superb views, the domed churches, the tavernas, the bars and the shops with their bustle, have a charm of their own.

Photos and text taken from "Santorini - Today and yesterday" (Toubis Editions)

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