Vothonas Village

The small village of Vothonas’ is located at the center of the island, very close to Messaria village. Built in a steep gorge, it catches the eye for its unique, special architecture of carved cave-houses.

This small village is located at the center of the island, almost 5 kilometers southeast of the capital Fira, very close to Messaria village. Vothonas is built in a steep gorge and it catches the eye for its unique, special architecture. The majority of the dwellings are cave houses the villagers built by carving the volcanic rocks. Along with the natural beauty, they form a picturesque settlement you can enjoy by wandering through the charming, narrow alleys. A sense of serenity and privacy pervades the whole village and you can become a part of it by staying in one of the welcoming hotels and guest houses.

There are several noticeable churches and chapels in Vothonas that are worth visiting for their distinct architecture and location. At the lowest entrance of the village you will find the church of Agios Roussos, built of pumice stones on a rock. Another remarkable church is that of Agia Anna, the oldest church of the village (built in 1827), which owns a beautiful pebbly yard. Just outside the village lies the exceptional church of Panagia Sergena that is carved in a big volcanic rock, a fact that makes it an outstanding setting, and used to be a refuge in the past.

Last but not least, you can visit the Wine Museum that is situated 6 meters below ground in a cave. In its fantastic facilities you can follow a palatable journey that involves touring and learning about the history and process of winemaking, a film about the history of Santorini and its tradition in wine production, interesting exhibits and manikins and, of course, a wine-tasting experience.