THIRASIA
Thirasia is a small island next to Thira. It used to be the west coast of the ancient island Strongyli but it was cut off in 1500 B.C. with the devastating earthquake. The remaining pieces of the ancient Strongyli are Thirassia, Nea Kameni (the volcano), Palea Kameni, Aspronisi, the group of islands Christiana and Santorini.
Thirasia may have a smaller size of Santorini but both have the same morphology and the same architecture of the houses and churches. The land of the island, which is a combination of black and brown soil and pumice, the little vegetation, the whitewashed houses and the turquoise sea create an ideal atmosphere for relaxation on the island.
It is located at the west part of Santorini and it is about a mile (20 minutes) from Amoudi of Oia. It has an area of 9,246 square kilometers and a population of 319 inhabitants. The capital is Manolas and the port is Riva. There are frequent routes of ships from the port of Piraeus or Athinios, or small boats from the pier at Amoudi. At a high spot of the island there is the church of Agia Irini.
The island has a picturesque landscape with fishing boats and fish restaurants but what stands out is the black beach, which is no coincidence that it has been awarded a "Blue Flag" (which indicates that the water is clean). You can move around the island and go to the inland either by local bus or taxi, as well as by hiking.
The first residential area you will encounter is Potamos (meaning river) that is built into the gorge from which it took its name. Most houses are dug into the rock and their courtyards are decorated with geraniums and bougainvillea. In the center of the village there is the church of Agios Dimitrios and Panagia Giatrissa. After that you will find Manola at the top of the caldera of Thirassia. There are cobblestone streets and the magnificent Cathedral of St. Constantine. The province Kera or Keradinia is located southeast of the capital and has panoramic view from the Kameni. You can go to the old port Korfos by descending 270 paved steps. The sailboats and the fishing boats coming from Athinios stop here. In the restaurants you can taste the traditional dishes such as fava beans, the "hlorotiri" (type of cheese), tomatoes, capers and wild asparagus, xylangoura and round zucchini. Also, you can taste sykamnoglyko, a kind of sweet from black berries.
