erissa is another coastal settlement that lies in a distance of 15 km from the capital Fira. Some of the best swimming on the island is to be had here, in the shelter of the enormous rock of Mesa Vouno.
	he stony mass of Mesa Vouno rising almost perpendicular at the eastern end of the beach has nothing in common with the type of stone to which Santorini has so far accustomed us. This is one of the pics of ancient Aegeis which remained above the surface of the sea when the Aegean was formed and consequently was there before the volcano erupted and before Santorini came into being. The beach of Perissa along with Kamari are the most frequented on the island.
Perissa has all the necessary facilities, restaurants, refreshment stands, beach bars, etc. The visitor should visit the main church dedicated to the Holy Cross , which is the largest on the island, and the chapel of St. Irene, dating from the late 16th century, and claimed by many to be the origin of the name of the island.

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

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