Description of the attraction
Terasia, or Thirassia (Little Thira), is an island in the Aegean Sea, which belongs to the group of islands of volcanic origin Santorini (Thira) of the Cyclades archipelago. The island is the second largest in the group after Santorini.
In ancient times, Terasia was part of the large Strongila Island, which contained an active volcano known today as Santorini. About 3,500 years ago, there was a powerful volcanic eruption, which is considered the most powerful in the entire history of the Earth. After the explosion, a huge hollow space was formed inside the volcanic crater, the walls of which could not bear their own weight and collapsed, thereby forming a huge caldera. The waters of the Aegean Sea poured into the caldera and quickly flooded it. This is how the island of Terasia was formed.
Today Terasia is a small cozy island 5, 7 km long, 2, 7 km wide and an area of only 9, 3 sq. Km. The island's highest peak is Mount Viglos, which is 295 meters above sea level. The east coast is steep, while the western part is flatter. There are three small settlements on Terasia - Manolos (the capital of the island), Potamos and Agia Irini. According to the 2001 census, the island's population was only 268. Administratively Terasia belongs to the municipality of Thira.
The capital Manolos is located at the edge of the caldera, opposite Santorini Island and its city of Oia. Small houses built between the rocks, old windmills, churches and narrow streets create the typical flavor of a Cycladic village.
Interestingly, on such a small island there are a total of 21 churches (including small chapels) built in the 19th century. The most famous of them are the Church of St. Irene, the Church of St. Constantine, the Church of Panagia Lagadiu and the Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin.
