Presentation - Ai Voice ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF ANCIENT THERA

The archaeological site stretches along the ridge of Mesa Vouno, overlooking the modern villages of Kamari and Perissa. The visit begins along the main road—about 800 meters long—which once connected squares, houses, public buildings, and sanctuaries.

As you walk along the route, you can see the remains of ancient political and commercial meeting places, as well as the Hellenistic theater, carved into the hillside and offering breathtaking views over the Aegean Sea. Among the sacred sites, the most remarkable are the Sanctuary of Apollo Karneios, the Temple of Dionysus, and the evocative Sanctuary of Artemidoros, sculpted directly into the rock and decorated with symbols of the gods.

The Hellenistic–Egyptian period is represented by the Sanctuary of the Egyptian Gods, a testament to the island’s connections with Alexandria in Egypt. Roman traces, on the other hand, can be seen in the public baths and in houses with paved courtyards. From the Early Christian era, the Church of Agios Stefanos remains, built on the foundations of a 6th-century basilica.

The entrance to the archaeological site lies along a scenic road that climbs up from Kamari. From there, walkways and trails guide visitors along the ridge.
The recommended route begins along the main street, where you’ll find the remains of private homes and shops. Continuing onward, you’ll reach the public area with the agora and the theater—one of the site’s most striking viewpoints.

From the so-called Festival Terrace, visitors enjoy a spectacular panorama. In Dorian times, this was where the Karnia Festival, one of the most important celebrations dedicated to Apollo Karneios, took place. For nine days of festivities, the community gathered for sacrifices, feasts, athletic games, and a ritual race in which one young man was chased by five others—if caught, it was considered a good omen for the city. This festival reinforced Thera’s Dorian identity and, as in Sparta, warfare was suspended during the Karnia in honor of the god.

Finally, the path leads to the Sanctuary of Artemidoros, a shrine carved into the rock that still preserves engravings of lions, eagles, and other sacred symbols.

A full visit takes about an hour and a half, but it’s worth taking your time to pause and enjoy the view. From this vantage point, your gaze sweeps across the Aegean and much of the island—a panorama that perfectly explains why the ancients chose this very summit for their city.

Let me leave you with an interesting fact: according to mythology, the Achaean hero Eurypylus, returning from the Trojan War, landed here carrying a sacred serpent of Apollo. The animal was released on the island, consecrating the promontory forever to Apollo Karneios. This legend explains why the Dorians built the god’s sanctuary here and celebrated the Karnia Festival in his honor.