A special feature of Imerovigli is the wonderful view from the highest point of the volcanic cape of the caldera to the sea. The monuments of antiquity tell about the bright past of Imerovigli, where a ringing Venetian coin sounded and an impregnable castle towered.
Imerovigli has become an extension of the largest city of the island, Fira. It is located only 2 kilometers from the capital of Santorini.
Imerovigli in ancient times consisted of a chain of fortified fortresses of the island. The fortress was built in the 1200s by the Venetians and was the capital of Venetian Santorini. Only the ruins of the magnificent Skaros Castle, near Imerovigli, are still standing.
The castle could not be destroyed by the enemy although most of the surrounding fortresses were taken by the enemy. It remained impregnable to them.
The destruction of the castle began after a series of devastating earthquakes, the last of which occurred in 1870, and was associated with a volcanic eruption. After that earthquake, the town around Skaros Castle was quickly depopulated. Most fishermen, sailors and traders moved to the new town, where Imerovigli is today.
There was a high tower in Skaros, which served to detect the approach of enemy ships and to signal the deployment of the fortress' defenses.
The area is great for guided hikes. It is both an active recreation and an opportunity to capture the magnificent scenery. The usual route for hikers is to start at Agios church, then head to the cape connecting Skaros and Imerovigli and finish at the chapel of Theoskepasti.
The top of the cape is a favorite place for artists and photographers. From this height you can enjoy a magnificent view of the caldera, the city of Imerovigli, the surrounding islands and the sea.
The chapel with three triangular-shaped bells at the very edge of the sea is the symbol of Santorini, often depicted on postcards and medallions.
The church is located at the very edge of the mountain. From the small observation deck you can see wonderful views of the sea and volcanic islands. The Church of the Resurrection is unique in that it holds an unusual wedding ceremony. The whole ritual is kept and all the prescriptions of the church are followed. But since the church is small, the wedding usually gathers only the closest circle of people.
The magnificent landscape around the temple and the turret-shaped bell tower add an extraordinarily romantic mood to the celebration.
Another unusual church in Imerovigli is Panagia Malteza. This temple is made in classic Byzantine style. The building has survived numerous earthquakes and wars. The church and its bell tower are preserved to this day. There are three paths from Panagia Malteza: to the edge of the caldera, to the Skaros Castle and to the Theoskepasti chapel.
When booking a hotel or restaurant in Imerovigli, you should remember that the town is located on top of a huge volcanic rock, so hotels may be located without direct access to the place of rest. To get to the right place in a few minutes, it is easier to walk. Sometimes the pedestrian street is the only communication.
To visit the castle Skaros have to walk more than one hundred meters under the sun, on the mountain trails. The journey is not difficult, but quite tedious for a person without training.
Imerovigli is much cheaper than Fira. It is not a city for a budget holiday, but the rates here are significantly lower than in the capital by 30-50%.
It takes about 35-40 minutes to walk to Imerovigli from Fira. The walking is interesting because of the magnificent views to the sea, wonderful villas, hotels and cafes at the edge of the cliff. From the center of Fira, it takes 9-10 minutes by car. This time includes driving without traffic jams, which are not uncommon in the busy streets of Fira. If this is the case, plan your trip early in the morning.
There are several detours from Fira to Imerovigli. The trip with a rental car or with a transfer from Santorini airport takes about 15 minutes. The way from Afinios seaport, located in the south of the island is a 25 minutes drive by car or minibus.
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