Thirasia island - The Volcano

Thirasia is a beautiful and touristically unspoilt island conveniently close to Santorini that you can reach in 15 minutes using a boat from Ia. Thirasia belongs to the Municipality of Santorini

Visiting Thirasia is a wonderful and unique experience even if you decide to do it for some hours on a daily trip. Thirasia’s uniqueness is intensified by its wide difference and contrast compared to Santorini, as Thirasia is significantly less touristically developed and changed by the passing of the time. Thirasia is keeping its traditional figure and lifestyle of its inhabitants and offers the visitors the possibility to visit an almost virgin touristically island and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, the authentic architecture of its buildings and the warmth its people. Environmentally, architecturally and humanly seeing, Thirasia keeps almost all of the elements of the past. Many people, even Santorini’s residents, consider Thirasia as “Santorini’s miniature without being touched by tourism”, looking like it has stuck in the middle 1970's. However, the above does not mean a visitor won't find nice small rooms to accommodate or spend some days on the island enjoying its beauty and its tastes.

At Thirasia you will enjoy peaceful and relaxing holidays, for families or couples, on a small size peaceful island of a unique geological environment, with a limited touristic development, far away from crowds with the nightlife meaning the luxury of relaxing by the seaside...
Regarding the morphological characteristics, Thirasia is not much different from Santorini since the Minoan eruption of the prehistoric times that created the caldera,
after the destroying and sunk of Strongili (the prehistoric round island part of witch were Santorini and Thirasia) created both of the remaining islands. Santorini and Thirasia as they are today, as well as the Volcano and the smaller islands around it.
Thirasia is being inhabited by 270 people of all ages all year long who love and care for their land with the relationships between them being solid and close as a result of living on a sparsely populated and difficultly accessible during the winter months small island.

Thirasia has a very impressive landscape, which varies depending on the part of the day and the time of year that one observes it. Thirasia, being the "miniature island" compared to Santorini, has the same basic morphological features but in a smaller expansion.  In contrast to Santorini's caldera which is on the west side of the island, Thirasia's caldera is "looking" to the east, and is equally impressive. "Wild", black stoned and imposing. With its black cliffs and red rock formations that seem to have emerged from the sea, rising to a height of 350 meters from the sea surface. At this altitude and climbed up on the edge of the cliffs of the caldera, looking opposite Santorini, are built most of the houses at Thirasia. The island's main village is Manolas and the close settlement named Potamos. Another settlement named Agrilia is located in a 10 min. distance from Manolas village.

Manolas is the capital of the island, where the the elementary school, the middle school and the high school are located. However the number of the students is small, Thirasia's schools cover the needs of the students with a large number of specialized teachers. At Manolas exists small grocery stores to cover the daily needs of the residents. On the island there are no shops, doctors, pharmacy, post office or bank branch, and the needs of the inhabitants are covered by reaching Santorini.
During the winter time there are 3 daily routes from Oia's port to Thirasia for the service of the small island's residents, with the distance being covered in 20 minutes.

According to a legend, the name Thirasia, belonged to the beautiful daughter of King Thiras, who reigned in Santorini and named the island in the name of his
beautiful daughter.
Therasia has lived periods of prosperity with its population reaching the 1000 residents by the early 1900 when the shipping and the agricultural sector were booming.
The earthquake that struck Santorini in 1956, also struck Thirasia, destroying many homes and causing a decline in the economy of the island. That was the reason that that led most of the island's residents to leave their land in search of a better future in Athens or abroad. Thirasia also has a rich maritime history but due to its small size never managed to have a big port or a medium size shipyard as Santorini. Most of the men of the island in the past years were working in shipping industry as captains and sailors, some of them having won major awards for their work. Most of those men after retiring from the shipping, returned to Thirasia to fix their ancestral homes, cultivate their land or rest.

Approaching Thirasia historicaly, we could say that the island is now experiencing a quiet period, increasing gradually its population with local people enjoying on their land the years of retirement, as well as some young who decided to take a break from the cities fast living.

Deciding to stay overnight or more at Thirasia, you can accommodate at rooms for rent located at Manolas village and the nearby Potamos as you can taste the local plates at restaurants at Manolas village as well as Riva and Korfos ports. Finding a place to stay at Thirasia is easy, even during the summer months.
Visiting for some hours or staying at Thirasia for some days, we would suggest you to walk through the narrow streets of Manolass along the caldera and admire the architecture of old houses, combined with beautiful views of the volcanic landscape. Walking that streets you will be able to see different architectural rhythm churches in different colors build close to one another, traditional houses renovated under the style of their owners, beautiful gardens with flowers built on the caldera, as well as some small grocery stores looking like the time has stuck in 1960's. During your walk mind to your camera with you not to miss the amazing landscape.

Besides the caldera landscape Thirasia has beautiful beaches and waters to swim. The most popular beaches are the ones located at the two small ports at Riva and Korfos. At Riva you can find a large beach with fine white sand and clear waters that are not particularly deep, despite the fact that the beach is at caldera's side.
At Korfos you can find a smaller beach in a spectacular setting, as the black and red caldera cliffs are overlooking the beach. Korfos beach setting is amazing and the waters very clear however really deep just a few meters from the shore. You can reach Korfos beach either by boat or riding donkeys from the village of Manolas, or descending a caldera view 200 large stone step footpath.
Besides the caldera beaches Thirasia also has very beautiful beaches lengthwise its western coasts that you can reach by car or motorbike. Exploring this side of the island is an experience to remember, while you will have the opportunity to see the unspoiled landscape and the real beauty of Thirasia’s nature and natural environment. The western side of the island is practically isolated, full of beautiful valleys, farms, cultivated areas, hand made stone walls glens and beautiful beaches and bays.

For nature and hiking lovers Thirasia is an ideal place to visit. A good idea is to walk Thirasia where there are dozens of nature trails with rich and rare vegetation in a very quiet setting, which is very worth discovering or taking pictures of.
At a time when the term trekking has become naturalized in most Western countries, the island's visitor deserves to enjoy this valuable opportunity. Easy walking or trekking at Thirasia, a visitor will enjoy the pure nature, the scents of wild oregano and thyme and see abundant quantities of wild capers growing between handmade stone walls.

Thirasia produces almost all products produced in Santorini, like wine, cherry tomatoes, fava, cucumbers, white eggplants, capers, oregano etc.
As almost all island population is dealing with farming and agricultural cultivation, large quantities of all the above products are produced on the island.
Much of the products are available and consumed in the local market by the residents and the visitors who have the opportunity to taste them in the local taverns. Besides tasting them, visitors can buy local products from the small shops existing on the island or even ask the locals in case they can sell them some of their family production.
Thirasia has large areas with vineyards consisting of the oldest varieties of grapes over the Aegean Sea. Much of the local production is vinified, bottled and served on the island however big quantities of grapes are transported for winemaking at Santo Wines Winery, at Santorini, contributing to the production of the island's quality wines.
Thirasia's vineyard is dominated by the white grape varieties Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani which produce the famous Santorini white wines as well as the eclectic tasting sun-dried "vinsanto".
As well as in Santorini, locals and villagers of Thirasia build stone walls inside and at the edge of their fields in order to increase the areas of their farmlands.
These stone walls are of the main elements of Thirasia's landscape.
The island also has a remarkable livestock as most of the local families have their own farms with chickens, goats, donkeys and even pigs. As a result of the systematic farming at Thirasia is produced the famous in Greece cheese called "hloro" which is a white, soft, sweet and unsalted cheese you can taste at local taverns.

Thirasia has been the backdrop for many remarkable productions of commercials that have been broadcasted in various countries as well as the background of many photography productions for their advertising campaigns.
Of the most popular locations chosen by the advertisers are the narrow streets of Manolas village and old traditional houses decorated in various colors, viewing caldera.
Apart from the advertisers, Thirasia’s landscape has recently become a favourite filmmaker’s destination as many scenes of many European and not only films being shot on the island. According to many directors and scouters Thirasia’s landscape is what exactly they wanted as the background for their films.
Apart from the film and advertising industry, there is an also upcoming interest for Thirasia as a wedding destination, as the island has almost the same caldera scenery as Santorini. Many marriages of Greeks and foreigners have taken place on the island the last years and the interest seems to be growing. For any information on the opportunity, the ones who are interested can find all needed information on the internet, as almost all local wedding organisers offer the possibility of a Thirasia wedding scenery with all related services included!

Thirasia has more than 20 Orthodox churches (chapels) of a different size and architecture each, which testify the deep faith of the locals to their Orthodox Saints.
The two bigger churches of the island are the St. Constantine at Manolas built on 1874 and the St. Demetrius at Potamos build at about 1920. Both are
richly illustrated and have important and precious icons and decoration as well as high technical merit old wooden temples.  An also worth to visit church is the "Virgin Mary" close to Potamos settlement, built on 1887. The church has rich iconography and decoration.  During the summer time most of the churches are open to visit.
The religious feasts taking place all year long on the island are very popular among the locals as also to the people living on Santorini who found a very good reason to visit the neighbouring island. At the end of almost all religious festivals locals organise in places next to the churches feasts sharing food and wine for free for all participants.

The most important religious festivals taking place at Thirasia are:

St. Charalambos church, at Manolas on February 10th
Santa Irini church at Riva port on May 5th
Saints Constantine and Helen church at Manolas on May 21st
Ascension of the Lord church at  Manolas, is a moveable feast is celebrated 40 days after Easter
St. John church at Manolas on June 24th
St. Kyriaki church , on July 7th
Prophet Elias church on July 20th
St. Irene Chrysovalantou church at Manolas on July 28th
Metamorphosis of the Lord church, in Agrilia on August 6th
Panagia (The Virgin Mary) Tripiti church (The Assumption) on August 15th
St. John church at Potamos on August 29th
Panagia (The Virgin Mary) Giatrisa, at Potamos on October 26th
Presentation of the Virgin Mary at Agrilia on November 21st
St. Nicholas church, at Riva port on December 6th
St. Spiridon at Potamos on December 12th

Thirasia is an island to visit all year long as it’s beautiful during all seasons, however the winter time the ferries and the boats connecting the island to Santorini are limited and depending on the weather conditions. Despite any difficulties Thirasia is an excellent and
necessary selection -we would dare to say- to make in combination with your visit to Santorini. We welcome and invite you to visit Thirasia and enjoy what it has to offer you!


Volcano or "Nea Kameni" is for sure a very worth visiting geological monument of a great value. Santorini's volcano is also scientifically characterized as a natural geological park, of a great importance.
The access to the volcano is very easy by large wooden excursion boats that leave from Santorini's main port or Fira town port, reaching the volcano in 10 - 15 minutes. If you decide to visit the volcano it is better to choose an organized guided excursion so you can learn about the monument's history, and its past and present activity and condition.

Santorini's volcano is an active one, as you can recognize by the temperature of the craters, however it's been more than 50 years since it gave it's last  visible signs of activity such as smoke or small amounts of lava getting out of the crater.
The volcano is characterized by the international scientific community as active and this is the reason for being constantly monitored with latest technology equipment, to ensure the safety of Santorini residents and visitors, besides the great scientific interest of the researchers.
Research, concerning the activity of the volcano in the past as well as its present situation, have been made and continue to be carried out from Universities of Greece as well as abroad ones.

During your visit at the volcano you will be able to walk all over it and around its craters and learn about it's history and activity. The experience of walking over an active volcano and one of the most famous over the world, is unique and something to remember. Santorini's volcano is a standalone volcanic island in the center of the Santorini's caldera, which began to be created in 1570. Volcano island today is 340 hectares and its highest point is 127 meters above the sea level. At the volcano island exist two berths, the "Taxiarhis" bay at it's south side, and "Erinia" bay at the north.
The Volcano and the smaller volcanic islands around it are included in the European network of protected areas "NATURA 2000".
Santorini's volcano has been "silent" for about 50 years, up to January 2011, when certain phenomena were observed, such as increase in the craters temperature, however scientist have no reason to concern, as they claim.

In the background of the volcano the following are its most remarkable activities.

Ancient activity - volcano, the creator of Santorini
There are historic evidences about a cataclysmic eruption early in the Late Bronze Age (1645 BC) which, scientist say, led to the destruction of the Minoan civilization on Crete. However, others believe that the Minoan civilization fall 200 years after the eruption in 1450 BC.
The excavations at Akrotiri and the fact that there were no human traces found, prove that, ancient Akrotiri inhabitants had earlier been clearly warned for the forthcoming great explosion and had plenty of time to leave their town.
After the cataclysmic eruption there was a period of 1300 years while the volcano remained silent. But in 198 BC a volcanic eruption created an island, Hierra. In 46 AD another eruption created another island, called Theia. Finally, in 60 AD a third eruption united the two islands. The newly united islands “grew” after the eruption of 726 AD. Two more eruptions in 1457 and 1508 AD increased the size of the island. It’s now called Palea (Old) Kameni and its peak reaches 110 m above sea level. Sixty five years after Palea Kameni reached its present form, another eruption broke out at 2400 m NE of the island’s center and a small island was formed. It was then called «Small) Kameni». In 1707, activity began again, this time near the small island when two cones appeared. They were called Aspronisi and Macronesi. Those were united in the course of the following five years by an island which formed between Palea and Small Kameni, much larger and higher then either and was called Nea (New) Kameni or «the Volcano». This island, visitors nowadays can walk, is the youngest island in Greece.

Santorini has erupted many times, with varying degrees of explosivity. There have been at least twelve large explosive eruptions, of which at least four were caldera-forming. The most famous eruption is the Minoan eruption. Eruptive products range from basalt all the way to rhyolite, and the rhyolitic products are associated with the most explosive eruptions.
The earliest eruptions, many of which were submarine, were on the Akrotiri Peninsula, and active between 650,000 and 550,000 years ago. These are geochemically distinct from the later volcanism, as they contain amphiboles.
Over the past 360,000 years there have been two major cycles, each culminating with two caldera-forming eruptions. The cycles end when the magma evolves to a rhyolitic composition, causing the most explosive eruptions. In between the caldera-forming eruptions are a series of sub-cycles. Lava flows and small explosive eruptions build up cones, which are thought to impede the flow of magma to the surface. This allows the formation of large magma chambers, in which the magma can evolve to more silicic compositions. Once this happens, a large explosive eruption destroys the cone. The Kameni islands in the centre of the lagoon are the most recent example of a cone built by this volcano, with much of them hidden beneath the water.

The devastating volcanic eruption of Thera has become the most famous single event in the Aegean before the fall of Troy. It may have been one of the largest volcanic eruptions on Earth in the last few thousand years, with an estimated 7 on the VEI (volcanic explosivity index). The violent eruption was centred on a small island just north of the existing island of Nea Kameni in the centre of the caldera.
The caldera itself was formed several hundred thousand years ago by the collapse of the centre of a circular island, caused by the emptying of the magma chamber during an eruption. It has been filled several times by ignimbrite since then, and the process repeated itself, most recently 21,000 years ago. The northern part of the caldera was refilled by the volcano, then collapsing once more during the Minoan eruption. Before the Minoan eruption, the caldera formed a nearly continuous ring with the only entrance between the tiny island of Aspronisi and Thera; the eruption destroyed the sections of the ring between Aspronisi and Therasia, and between Therasia and Thera, creating two new channels.

On Santorini, a deposit of white tephra thrown from the eruption is found lying up to 60 m (200 ft) thick, overlying the soil marking the ground level before the eruption, and forming a layer divided into three fairly distinct bands indicating different phases of the eruption. New archaeological discoveries by a team of international scientists, in 2006, have revealed that the Santorini event was much more massive than previously thought; it expelled 61 cubic kilometres (15 cu mi) of magma and rock into the Earth's atmosphere, compared to previous estimates of only 39 cubic kilometres (9.4 cu mi) in 1991,  producing an estimated 100 cubic kilometres (24 cu mi) of tephra.


Recent activity - The impressive descriptions
1570 A volcanic eruption creates a small island at the northeast of "Palaia Kameni" which was named "Small Kameni". The word "kameni" in Greek means the "burned" island.
May 1707 - September 1711 Outpouring of lava leads to the formation of two small islands, that were soon joined together, forming  the "Nea Kameni" island or the "Volcano" as we know it today.
May 1707 Seismic activity lead to the appearance of a new small white island, 200 meters from the "Small Kameni". The white island is still seen, and it is called "Aspronisi"
June 1707 Appearance of a new black island at the south side of the white one
June 1707 the two islands were joined together
1866 - 1870 intense volcanic activity lead to the tripling of "Nea Kameni"
1866 The creation of the cone (crater) named "George". In the beggining "George" was a small autonomous volcanic island close to "Nea Kameni". Later on, another small island named "Afroessa" was emerged 400 meters at the southwest side of "George". The same year were emerged from the sea the small island "Reka" and "May islands" that nowadays have been sunk 1 meter under the sea.
1925 - 1928 The creation of a small island called "Daphne" between the "Small Kameni" and "Nea Kameni" (Volcano) as a result of the flow of pyroclastic material.
"Daphne" crater managed to unite "Small Kameni" and "Nea Kameni" (Volcano) as a unique island.
1928 The creation of the volcanic cone "Naytilos" at the eastern of "Daphne". "Naytilos" cone has been covered by the later lava eruptions.
1939 - 1941 Signs of volcanic activity with increasing water temperature in the bay called "Saint George". Volcanic eruptions result in the creation of the volcanic domes Triton, Ktenas, Fouquo, Niki, Reck and Smith Smith.
1950 - 1952 After intense volcanic activity the volcanic dome "Liatsikas" is is formed on the "Nea Kameni" (Volcano)

All cones and craters on the volcano have different colour because of their different constituent materials and their age.
During the recent years the volcano shows a "steamy" activity (vapor getting out of its land) close to the crater "George". Besides that, along the volcano coasts there are hot springs in which you can swim full safety however in any case mind to be close to your friends. Swimming around the volcano is free to do but you have to be very careful to the extremely sharp rocks and the lack of coast. Also, the approach of vessels close to the volcano is very dangerous because of the very sharp rocks.
The activity of the volcano has been attended the last centuries by the most important and respected geologists and volcanologists and nowadays is been a subject of study of the international scientific community.
Apart from scientists, many modern as well as classical writers have followed the activity of Santorini volcano mentioning it in their work. One of the most characteristic examples is Jules Verne, who inspired his book "20 000 Leagues under the Sea" by the activity of the volcano between 1866 - 1870. Also, in his book "The Mysterious Island", appears captain Nemo and his crew to follow a volcanic eruption, which is undoubtedly a description of Santorini volcano activity.