Akrotiri (prehistoric city)

Akrotiri is a prehistoric Bronze Age town on the island of Santorini (Thera) in the South Aegean region of Greece, preserved under volcanic ash from the major Thera eruption in the second millennium BCE. The site is one of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved Bronze Age settlements and contains multi-storey buildings and vivid wall paintings.

Visitors encounter a planned archaeological park with covered excavation areas, well-preserved plastered walls and polychrome fresco fragments that illustrate domestic and marine scenes. The excavated settlement layout includes streets, houses with built storage and drainage features and communal spaces, offering detailed insight into Aegean Bronze Age urban life.

The site was brought to major archaeological attention in the 20th century and large-scale excavations were initiated by archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos in 1967; many finds from Akrotiri are curated in regional museums on Santorini. Akrotiri lies on the southwestern part of Santorini near the modern village of the same name and is reached by road from the island’s main towns.

• Excavation dates and preservation: The site preserves late Bronze Age urban architecture and wall paintings that were buried by the Thera volcanic eruption; the major excavation campaign was begun by Spyridon Marinatos in 1967.
• Visitor protection measures: Excavation areas are protected by conservation shelters and public walkways; photography and visiting arrangements are controlled to protect fragile frescoes and structures.

What to See #

• Excavated town of Akrotiri: The main excavated settlement area with multi-storey houses, streets and painted frescoes uncovered by archaeologists and protected by shelters.
• Museum of Prehistoric Thera: The Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira which houses finds and reproductions from the excavations on Santorini (Thera).