Imerovigli - Santorini

Photo: mrpepper27

Since time in memorial, the Greek culture and way of life has held most of the planet captive for various reasons both good and bad. This nation was famous for being poly-theistic in nature and a military force to be reckoned with for many decades. Aside from giving us mythical tales of their deities, this body politic was the birth place of Alexander the Great as well as Ptolemy. Although all this is ancient history, Imerovigli is a modern reminder of the magnificence that is Greece.

There are very few locations that have the capacity to enchant and enthrall at the same time like Imerovigli in Santorini. This is one of those regions on the planet that is as pristine as it was almost 800 years ago. This expanse belongs to the nation of Greece and it has continued to fascinate guest and local alike for centuries. As expected, there are numerous things to do and see on this part of Santorini, but the first thing that will captivate the alien the minute the expedition into Imerovigli has began is the architecture.

Here, the guest will notice the white houses that go all the way up the cliff at right angles to each other. These abodes were not constructed in such a manner to conserve space, but in order to keep the city safe from pirates who invaded the area from time to time. These properties provided the inhabitants of the locale with panoramic views of the surrounding waters making it elementary to spot the pirates and prepare for an attack. These houses are works of art in themselves and with all the modern creature comforts added into some of these spaces; it is easy to see why this particular section is the Jewel of Santorini.

Aside from the fascinating architecture of the region, the picture perfect views on all sides will charm the alien for the duration of the voyage. Being situated on a cliff face adjacent to the Aegean Sea, the scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. For those touring this section of Greece for the first time, there are copious attractions waiting to be imaged on this part of Santorini. However, in order to avoid being overwhelmed a solid itinerary is required, this is in order to ensure that all the right places have been toured and photographed for posterity and the first stop ought to be the Ai-Stratis Church, which is situated in the middle of the village.

As one meanders through the streets of the village edging closer to the church, the one thing that will stand out is the narrowness of the streets quite reminiscent of ancient towns. Once the church is within sight, the one thing that cannot be overlooked is the architecture of the Church, which is considered to be the finest in all of Greece.

For those who would like to delve further into the religious history of the land, the other location that is sure to leave an indelible mark on their excursion is the Church of the Virgin Maltesa. Finally, in order to bring this section of the tour to a resounding close a stop over at the Monastery of St. Nicholas is a must.

Moving on from faith and architecture based imaging of the region; there is something in store for the nature lovers that would prefer to take in the natural beauty of Imerovigli. True to form, this area proffers the guest with many locations from which to begin a hiking expedition. However, for those who are keen to circumvent all the other sites and go straight to the heart of the trek, then a day trip to the Sakros rock should suffice. This rock is a stark reminder of what was here prior to the 1956 earthquake that totally destroyed it.

Trekking up to Sakros will also reveal another element of the regions natural beauty. This comes in the form of a caldera that was formed after one of the numerous volcanic eruptions in Santorini this part of the world has experienced.
Speaking of volcanoes, this locale is home to the Nea Kameni which is still active to date. The underground molten rock has led to the formation of the Palea Kamani hot springs. These are cool enough for both guest and visitor to take a dip in, yet they are hot enough to soothe any aching muscles that may have developed as a result of hiking all over the building.

The beauty of the domain is not only in its natural or man made features, but in the local populous as well. This expanse has a total of 470 permanent residents who are more that willing to educate the tourist on the history of Imerovigli. These inhabitants give the guest the opportunity to engage them in constructive banter as they go about their day to day activities.

To add to this, the guest of Imerovigli also has the opportunity to indulge in some of the gastronomic delights that are unique to this area. Whether in the form of fresh sea food or wine from Santorini, there is never a dull moment when it comes to trying out the regions cuisine.

Last but not least, the guest will have the opportunity to dip in to the pristine waters that surround the territory for a cooling end to their vacation in Imerovigli of Santorini. This is the icing on the cake that every guest should relish while on this part of Santorini.

To conclude, it is important to mention that there is hardly a nation on the planet that can claim not to have some sort of Greek influence within its borders. Whether in the form of Greek architecture or language, this ancient civilization has indeed left its mark on the planet. Therefore, for those who would like to take a step back in time and take a peek into how these ancient people lived, then the region of Imerovigli is the place to start.

This location is as memorable as they come, whether in the form of picture perfect views or friendly people who are always ready to assist the weary traveler savor the beauty that is Imerovigli.