 |
#FiraOiaHikeSantorini As my travel blog is about tips on where to visit and saving money doing so (Case in Point) i see that this hike was listed at $140.00 PP in small groups. Now my fellow travelers, you can do this on your own for 2 Euros (bus fare on the return to your starting point) All i ask from you is to wear proper footwear (you will see why with my photos) bring water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat |
 |
Roman Cobblestone Roads Although we are in Greece it was their rivals who came up with the concept, as many have heard the saying "all roads lead to Rome" and indeed it did, after they constructed 400,000 kms (250,000 miles) of a highway network Our Route We start our hike on their creation, but soon it will become loose gravel and dirt as we trek towards Oia Nature At Work Now as we walk around the caldera you realize the massiveness of the volcanic eruption that occurred here 3500 years ago (which today gives us these amazing views) As it was one of the largest explosions in recorded history that created a tsunami that wiped out the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete 200kms or 125 miles away Only One Today Santorini boasts the only inhabited caldera in the world, with the villages of Fira and Oia  Before Tourism Santorini was a major trading hub that brought visiting and local vendors to the markets that featured crafted pottery, woven textiles, wines, spices plus herbs Today The island is world famous for its iconic whitewashed, cube shaped houses and with the blue domed churches plus the very popular Red / Black Beaches (sand with pebbles of various shades because of the volcanic activity in the area) |
 |
Dome Shaped Buildings Basically it was built this way for the low cost, as they were sometimes dug partially or entirely into the volcanic rock Then its design was to have a narrow, dome covered facades with the windows that would bring in the natural light and its warmth |
 |
Cave Houses This part of the trail had some fencing up, so i assume its private property and with what the locals told me about these famous structures In the beginning there were a necessity as it was for the poorer residents to escape the sun, winds and pirates Moving Forward After the devastating 1956 earthquake, these dwellings have been repurposed into some of the islands most sought after accommodations |
 |
Legend of Atlantis With the Minoan eruption resulting in the collapse of the island center, many people believe it inspired the Greek philosopher Plato and the legend of that lost city Jules Verne The famous author was also inspired by the volcanos activity here during a visit, which he wrote about in his books 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island |
 |
Aegean Sea View from the caldera (from Latin caldaria meaning cooking pot) Its Meaning Its a large depression formed when a volcano erupts then collapses, so basically when the magma chamber empties it leaves no support for the walls thus fills up with water  Walking on History Some challenging parts of the hike but also notice the black rocks, these are older volcanic stones from past eruptions being put to good use as you keep on trekking |
 |
Fira Capital of Santorini with an amazing photo as we keep walking to our goal Its History It first started out as a settlement in the late 18th century, eventually coming under the rule of the Turks (with their strength of the military) At this time that was a good thing as then they did not have to worry about the pirate raids of their island |
 |
Vendors Along your hike you will find some merchants setup selling water, fruit, sunscreen etc But again please bring these essentials yourself , as these pop-up stands are not consistent plus expensive |
 |
| Whitewash The main reason most buildings are done with this mixture (made by mixing lime, water plus sea salt) the color is a reflector of heat, so it works perfectly to keep the dwellings cool and fresh The Capel of the Assumption of the Virgin The last climb before Oia, yay! |
 |
Oia 😃 Because of the island volcanic soil (which is rich in minerals) it has created some exceptional wines, after a few glasses i agree👌 Expensive Homes As i look at many of the two-story houses, i am told they were originally owned by wealthy shipowners This is a reminder of the areas maritime past and today they are priced into the millions KeyTip Its a pedestrian only area with its narrow streets, add in the big crowds around sunset and it gets to be shoulder to shoulder craziness So be very careful of your valuables |
 |
Toponym The local government was looking for a more elegant name, so they chose Oia (Doric dialect meaning far) As the village at this time in history was a long distance from all the other settlements World Free Runners Red Bull Art of Motion used the backdrop of this village, which created a dramatic and photogenic scene for their competitions |
 |
History of Colors The whitewashed walls and the blue domes of Santorini was not always this way It was right-wing military regime (1967-1974) who imposed that all the buildings be painted in this color scheme This was to inspire patriotism and attract more tourists Today As you can see some structures are changing it up to stand out from the rest, which ironically was the intended purpose from the beginning |
 |
The 588 Karavolades Stairs Originally built in the 18th Century, it was to serve as a direct connection between the Port and Town Rules A) Please remember that the donkeys get the right of way B) The cobbled steps are not all even so the footing is off C) Be aware on the dung 😅 KeyTip Or as you can see in the distance the Cable Car is available for 6 Euros for adults and 3 Euros for children to avoid the climb or descent |
No comments:
Post a Comment