The small island of Thirasia is located northwest of Thira. It has 245 inhabitants, most of whom are employed in fishing or farming. According to scientific research, the island was formed in the volcanic eruption of 1640 BC. However, the ancient historian Pliny claimed that Thirasia broke off from Thira in 237 BC in the same earthquake that sunk Thira and created Palaia Kameni, Nea Kameni and Aspronisi.

Tradition has it that the island got its name from the daughter of King Thiras, to whom the island was given and where a palace was built in her honor. In fact, traces of a building rumored to he sections of the “king’s palace” can he seen on the island today.

Thirasia has three villages. Manolas, which is also the capital, is built along the eastern and southern shores of the island. The second and most densely populated village is Potamos, which contains numerous “hyposkafa” houses (carved into the volcanic rock face) and the Churches of Aghios Dimitrios and the Panaghia i Yatrissa (“Virgin Healer”). Read the rest of this entry »