Ancient Thira was found at Mesa Vouno, 15 km south-east of Fira at an altitude of 350 m., after a series of excavations conducted by the archaeologist Hiller Von Gaertringen. The Lacedaemonians were those who settled in the area first, in the 9th century BC, taking advantage of its privileged position which allowed them to control the Aegean Sea. From that time on, the city constituted the only settlement on the island. From the excavation, finds which date back mostly to historical, hellenistic and Byzantine periods, concluded that the city covered a long and narrow area of 800m x 150m. It included the territory with the public buildings and houses within Mesa Vouno and the space where the cemetery was situated in the Sellada region at the point where Prophitis Ilias and Mesa Vouno were united. The two ports of the city on Perissa bay and Kamari have developed a significant financial activity which gave the city a unique splendour.
Among the buildings that have come to light from the excavations, Plateia ton Gymnopaidion stands out (Gymnopaidion Square) where feasts in honour of Apollo took place, Agora (Market) with the Imperial Gallery, the Temple of Dionysus, the theatre, the Temple of Apollo Pythios, the chapel-monument of Evangelismos, the Temple of Apollo Karneios, a cave where Hermes and Hercules have been worshipped, the Temple of the Egyptian Gods, the Temple of Artemidoros Pergaios, the Headquarters, the Drill-ground of the Garrison, the Gymnasium of the youth and the Roman Baths. In the area, vessels, coins and ceramics that are on display in the Archaeological Museum of Fira have also been found.
The Archaeological Museum in Fira features remarkable finds from private collections as well as from excavations on the Mesa Vouno, Sellada and Akrotiri sites which date back to all the periods from the 3rd millennium BC until the Roman years. Among those that stand out are marble statuettes from the 3rd millennium, marble kouri, Hellenistic and Roman statues, vessels from the excavations on the site of Ancient Thira, a big Archaic amphora and a marvellous statuette representing in particular details a female figure.
Gyzi's edifice is situated in Fira. It was built in the 17th century and nowadays it belongs to the catholic diocese. It is a typical example of Cycladic architecture with its pebbled yard and snow-white walls. In its properly arranged halls is a remarkable exhibition with pictures, photographs, maps, paintings and other objects that are of great interest for the immediate understanding of the history and the tradition of the Cyclades. During the summer months at the edifice, remarkable cultural events take place and there are a lot of interesting exhi-bitions.
The Naval museum of Oia is housed in an old mansion of the city. Among its exhibits are articles from the everyday life of the seamen from the island, like marine chests, boat miniatures,
paintings, documents, navigation instruments, books and photographs.
The volcanic Palia Kameni isle is situated opposite Fira and the connection between them is possible by regular itineraries conducted by caiques. There is nothing more on the isle but the crater of the volcano from which a strong smell of sulphur springs. The ground there is warm and the water warm yellowish-blue.
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