| Caves Labyrinths and Passageways
In a seemingly private landscape far from the hustle of island visitors and vendors, Ancient Thera is a hideaway unique in its remote location on Santorini Island, Greece. It is perched atop Messavouno mountain nestled at an eagle’s view between the charming beach resorts of Perissa, Perivolos, and Kamari. An ambitious walk could take you from a quaint traditional breakfast in Kamari to a trendy boutique taverna for lunch in Perissa. Whilst traversing the rock in your personal pilgrimage across a graphically challenging landscape it is a transformative moment. A glimpse is offered to the ancient life of the surrounds as you enter the gateway of the experience whereby you are suddenly outside of where you have been or where you are going and you are simply meandering down a stone path in crystal clarity hearing the gravel under your sandals while sun struck hypnotized. A timeless rapture meditative and methodical and entirely unintentional. Save your footsteps back to your residence, as there is a local fisherman’s boat that commutes frequently between the resorts and the captivating red, white, and black beaches that are a geophysical time capsule of volcanic technicolor history. The cliffs and the landscape of Santorini are compelling and dreamy. At sunrise and sunset, the stillness and the silence are a rapture of hues transcendent and calming. It is worthy to take note of the health benefits of the infrared light of the sun at certain hours and its complementary combination with the literal magnetism of the beaches. The synergistic effects naturally absorbed merely by engaging in the vast outdoor activities offered by the island ignites cellular energy and grounding; truly restorative. I have enjoyed up close the jagged rock face and the caves of Messavouno on a paddle board casually lost in the translation of the elixir of this simple journey.
| Sparta Mythical Rulers and Sanctum
Thera, inhabited from the 9th century BC until 725AD, is an Ancient City of the Cyclades and is named after the mythical ruler of the island, Theras - this remains today the official name of the Island. Theras, was a son of a king whose descendance can be traced to rulers over Sparta. Appreciating Ancient Thera’s geographical location one can imagine its strategic militant importance in its historical context of Spartan colonists as well as its transformation to an Egyptian naval base. Atop 360m grappling with the intensity of the wind, Thera invites you to remember its powerful position on the island. Inner sanctum is natural to Thera, in fact, you are enveloped in the passageways that truly intrigue you to explore the site through the eyes of a colonist and sage of ancient times.
| Olympian Deities Soul Guides and Solace
Panoramic views and picturesque surroundings simply appreciated in solace and silence as the open-air walkways lead you to idyllic alcoves and hollows within the actual excavation sites. You will find yourself being led through the imaginings of a labyrinth of authentic ancient stone peristyle ruins of temples, theatres, and sanctuaries of Aphrodite. The grotto of Hermes, the Olympian Deity and “soul guide” considered the herald of the gods and whose main symbol was the caduceus, can also be found in Ancient Thera. The caduceus is a symbol that is still classically representing many aspects of modern medicine, chemists, and the contemporary apothecary’s medicines and anti-dotes.
Ancient Thera is a true gem in your quest of inner sanctum!
