The Greek island of Santorini is a magical and dramatic vacation destination For Tourists.
Every year thousands of Visitors from all over the world not only come to see it's heavenly beauty, but also to view it's archaeological site located about 12 km from Fira to the southwest part of the Island.
In all over the world Arkotiri has a fame of one of the most well-known Archaeological sites buried under a mass of pumice and volcanic ash.
The city of Akrotiri was destroyed around 1500 BC due to an awful volcanic eruption in Santorini.
The ruins of the city indicate a crystal clear idea about the artistic and cultural views of the island covered with various paintings such as day to day activities, flowers, fishing, animals, games and their everyday life.
One can find attractive two to three storey buildings in the city of Akrotiri.
Akrotiri is the most traditional city and it has the Minoan city settlement.
The inside of the houses are decorated with frescoes of flowers, dolphins, fishing and playing etc.
By visiting this buried city one can get a clear cut idea about the way this civilization lived in the island.
You can find beautiful frescoes exposed at the Archaeological Museum of Athens.
The Arkotiri houses and paintings are well preserved due to the volcanic soil.
In 1967 the discovery of Akrotiri began by Professor Spiros Marinatos while the city was buried under the volcanic pumice.
Before the destruction of Akrotiri it was a complete seaside city with roads, multi-storey buildings with many rooms and workshops etc.
The quality of the houses and the wealth which have been discovered from the excavation give a clear indication that Akrotiri was a flourishing city and inhabitants of this city were leading a comfortable and sophisticated life.
The most luxurious homes were constructed with fitted stones and other houses are constructed with mud mixed straws.
The buried city will take you to the 3500 years back and you will find a glimpse of various things the way they were in 3500 years ago such as the inter connecting streets, the sewage system, the drainage system and many architectural features.
The inhabitants were working with Bronze as lots of bronze vessels and bronze weapons found from the excavation of Akrotiri.
The findings from excavation of the city give a glimpse that this was a society living in prosperity and affluence which was suddenly got destroyed.