Sunrise & Sightseeing in Oia
Early morning in Oia, Santorini, the air was fresh and cool. The thick blanket of misty morning fog rolled in gracefully from the Aegean Sea towards island and the caldera, creating a surreal scene. The entire town of Oia was still asleep as the sun rose quietly in the horizon, spreading its warm, illuminating rays all over the island.
Morning dews made the main pedestrian street in Oia slippery and wet, but that did not stop us from going out and having a good time. As we strolled leisurely on the marbled street while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, we made several stops to enjoy the sunrise and took several beautiful photographs of the scenery for memories. 😀
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The Church Of Panagia Platsani At Oia Caldera Square
During our walk, we discovered a beautiful church at the Oia Caldera Square. It is the Church of Panagia Platsani. The church was originally constructed inside the walls of the Castle of Oia, but it was moved to the square after an earthquake damaged it in 1956.
The church is dedicated to the Akathist Hymn of the Most Holy Theotokos. The white-washed building features a blue-dome, arched windows and a tower of bells. Unfortunately, the church was closed, so we did not manage to take a look inside the church. 🙁 Next time then.
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Dreamy Cycladic Architecture & Steep Cobbled Steps in Oia
Awe-inspiring Cycladic architecture of pastel coloured and white-washed walls with bright blue domes, doors and windows on buildings can be found throughout the beautiful Greek islands. The dreamy blue and white colour combination reminds people of the undisputed beauty of Santorini; clear blue skies and fluffy white clouds, the cobalt sea of the Aegean and the white gentle waves. 😀
The picturesque view of the tiered cliff with built-in Captain and cave houses of various sizes sitting along the caldera is simply breathtaking! We found ourselves admiring the architecture of the buildings as we explored the narrow and steep cobbled steps on the island. If one is lucky, he/she will have an encounter with a herd of mules/donkeys walking up or down the path.
While walking on the narrow and steep cobbled path along the cliff in Oia, be sure to watch out for the heaps of stinky mule/donkey droppings along the path, especially along the mule/donkey trail. The sight and stench of the mule/donkey droppings will definitely be a part of one’s unforgettable memories of Santorini. 😛
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Interesting Facts About Santorini
- It is the only inhabited caldera in the world
- There are over 250 churches on the island
- You can walk from Fira to Oia in approximately three hours
- The population of the island is about 15,000 people
- The electricity on the island is provided by diesel powered generators for which the diesel has to be shipped in
- Santorini has no rivers. Until the 1990s, its residents depended on dew or rain water collected and from small springs, and portable water is imported from other areas of Greece. A desalination plant now provides water to most houses and establishments on the island
- The main export of Santorini is soil. The soil and pumice of Santorini was used to build the Suez Canal
- The ancient ruins of Akrotiri have been compared to the ruins in Pompeii, Italy
Up next: A spectacular sunset and blue hour from the old castle & finding the iconic three blue domes postcard view in Oia