The charming village of Messaria is on the edge of the Santorini Caldera, while rooftop bars, tavernas, and elegant hotels are popular at sunset.
The charming village of Messaria is on the edge of the Santorini Caldera, while rooftop bars, tavernas, and elegant hotels are popular at sunset. The neoclassical Argyros Mansion has a rich antique furniture museum and the Canava Santorini Ouzo Distillery is open for tours and tastings. The church of Agios Dimitrios is remarkable for its exterior with pebbles.
1. Argyros Mansion
The Argyros Mansion is one of the most distinguished recent monuments of the island of Santorini and occupies an important place within the Messaria community, as it is significant for its morphological and its architectural value. It combines the traditional architecture of Santorini with elements and influences of eclecticism. Many morphological elements decorate the building’s facets and there are ceiling paintings of exceptional art in its interior. All the furniture and utensils on the upper floor are conserved and attended to as in a museum.
2. Canava Santorini
Visitors to Santorini have the opportunity to take a nostalgic trip to the island’s past by visiting the “Canava Santorini” distillery and museum at Messaria. The distillery “Canava Santorini” started its operation in Messaria in 1974. It is a family business established by Evangelos Lygnos, father of the current owner, Loukas. In 1974 he brought the first ouzo and tsikoudia alembic to Santorini and began the ouzo production using a secret recipe from Constantinople in which he added herbs and other pure ingredients found on the island.
3. Saint (Agios) Dimitrios
Renovated in 1868, the impressive church of Saint (Agios) Dimitrios in Messaria was built earlier than that, providing an indication of the prosperity of the village in the 19th century. Because it is a bit higher than the neighboring buildings, we have a panoramic view of the traditional settlement from its large courtyard.
4. Spira Marble Art Gallery (SMAG)
The workshop is on the road that leads from Fira to Mesaria and the gallery is located at the village of Pyrgos. Grigoris Kouskouris represents the fourth generation of a family of marble sculptors and in his workshop and showroom, you will see his works, where you can also arrange marble sculpture lessons. Sculptures with beautiful, bold and innovative designs for those who want something different and love the creations in marble.
5. Ancient Thera
Ancient Thera is an antique city on a ridge of the steep, 360 m high Messavouno mountain on the Greek island of Santorini. It was named after the mythical ruler of the island, Theras, and was inhabited from the 9th century BC until 726 AD. Starting in 1895, Friedrich Hiller von Gaertringen systematically investigated the city until 1904. Later excavations by N. Zapheiropoulos between 1961 and 1982, under the auspices of the Archaeological Society of Athens, unearthed the city’s necropolis in Sellada. Findings from these excavations are on exhibit at the archaeological museum in Fira.