Overview:

is an important late Bronze Age settlement on the Aegean island of Santorini. The ancient settlement has a rich and fascinating history, and is thought to be the site of the lost city of Atlantis. Akrotiri was buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash following an eruption in 1627 BCE, which preserved the town remarkably well and enabled modern archaeologists to gain an incredible insight in to what life was like in the city before it was destroyed. Excavations have revealed a large number of features including elaborate frescoes, pottery, artwork and other artifacts which shed light on the culture and customs of the people who once lived here. The site was officially opened to the public in 1967, and since then, hundreds of tourists have flocked to Akrotiri every year to learn more about its history and take in its impressive monuments, which include a 3,000 year old fortress wall. The archaeological site has also become popular with filmmakers, with scenes from iconic movies like The Guns of Navarone and The Country Bears being filmed here in recent years. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Greece
Prominent Features:

The Akrotiri archaeological site is located on the island of Santorini in Greece. It is an ancient Minoan Bronze Age settlement and was buried by a volcanic eruption in the 17th century BCE. The settlement was rediscovered in 1967 and excavated over the following decades. It is notable for its towering multi-storey buildings built with Cycladic architectural and engineering techniques, many of which have been preserved in excellent condition due to the volcanic ash that sealed the structures. Visitors to the site can explore ruins of houses, buildings, and intricate frescoes that provide a glimpse into life on Santorini in the Bronze Age. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Greece.

History:

The Akrotiri archaeological site on Santorini in Greece was discovered in 1967 by the archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos. The archaeological site is an ancient Minoan settlement which dates back to the Late Bronze Age, around 1628–1450 BCE. It is believed to be the remains of a Minoan city destroyed by the famous volcanic eruption of the surrounding island. When Marinatos began to explore the site he discovered that the settlement had been buried in ash and, because of the vitrification of the ash by the great heat, features of the town such as stairways, streets, and walls were preserved and remain visible today. Inside the settlement were many residential buildings, commercial buildings, storerooms, and craft centers. These buildings revealed a wealthy and sophisticated lifestyle of these people who had settled on the island. Fine wall paintings and frescos show flora and fauna of the time and scenes from everyday life. The Akrotiri archaeological site provides evidence of the advanced development and technology of the Minoan civilization in the Late Bronze Age. It has been preserved in time and offers a fascinating insight into an ancient world. The site provides much valuable information and insight into the way people lived in this part of the world so long ago. The site was accessible to public visitors in the summer of 1976, and a modern museum with displays of pottery, frescos, sculpture, tools, and other objects uncovered at the site, opened in 2004. It continues to be a valuable resource for both scholars and the general public. Visit one of the famous monuments of Greece with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Akrotiri is an ancient city that existed on the Greek island of Santorini (Thera) about 3,500 years ago. 2. It is believed to have been destroyed by the massive volcanic eruption of around 1650 B.C. which is thought to have caused a tsunami that decimated Santorini, parts of Crete and probably some areas of the mainland. 3. Archaeological excavations have revealed a very well-preserved settlement, including its streets and buildings, which are still standing up to six meters high, making it one of the most important prehistoric sites in the Eastern Mediterranean. 4. The town was ruled by a monarchy and the preserved architecture reflects ancient Greek architectural principles. 5. Many artifacts such as wall paintings, ceramic vessels, sculptures and coins from the Minoan trading period have been discovered at Akrotiri. 6. Excavations at the site are still ongoing today, offering more evidence of the thriving settlement and its people. One of the historical monuments of Greece, it tells the story of a bygone era