Pyrgos

Pyrgos is situated 8 km southeast of Fira. The village is located on a fabulous spot on top of a hill and displays incredible panoramic views of the island. At the bottom are some nice taverns, a shop that stocks international press and the usual tourist shops.

Pyrgos used to be the capital of the island until the early 1800s. Today, the village of Santorini counts more than 500 inhabitants and it is well-known for its major tourist movement. The village consists of traditional houses built all around the Venetian castle, and the small streets that follow the natural flow of the surrounding landscape. The houses are the perfect example of Cycladic design and in superb condition.

The Venetian castle is one of the five on the island of Santorini and dates back to the 13th century. The fortfied settlement is amphitheatrically built on the hill and offers superb views of both sides of the island. The village has many churches: the church of Theotokaki with its beautiful frescoes and old icons, Agia Triada, the church of Agia Theodosia, the Archangel Michael and many others.

The most famous church of Santorini is also found just 4 km from Pyrgos, the Monastery of Prophet Elias which is built at the highest spot of the homonymous mountain. It hosts a small collection of ethnographic material and old icons.

Source: www.greeka.com