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Santorini or Thira, one of the best-known of the Cyclades, differs from the other islands in the group thanks to its geological morphology, the result of action by a volcano now dormant.

The landscape on the western side of the island, where towering cliffs crowned by tiny and blindingly white houses plunge straight into the depths of the sea.

From the landing - place, Skala, we can climb up to Fira, the capital, on foot or on donkey - back. There is a funicular railway for those who wish to avoid the hundreds of steps. Fira is very attractive, with winding narrow streets, arcades and a quarter where the Catholic nobility once duelt. There is a most important Museum, with prehistoric finds, a large collection of vases dating from the 7^th and 6^th centuries BC, a few Archaic and Classical pieces, and some Hellenistic and Roman sculptures and portraits.

There is a superb view out from Fira to the Kamenes, the two islets of black stone created by the volcano. The islets can be visited by launch.

Ancient Thira is a site of great archaeological interest which was occupied by Phoenicians, Dorians, Romans and Byzantines.

The site at Akrotiri has yielded the remains of a Minoan city destroyed around 1500 BC by an eruption of the volcano on Thira.

On the highest peak of Santorini is a monastery of the Profitis Ilias, where there is a picturesque religious feast on 20 July each year.

The old - world village of Ia, 11km. to the north of Fira, is a place of incomparable beauty. The unique appeal of Ia lies in its little houses hewn out of the soft rock, its neo - classical mansions with their courtyards, its narrow paved alleys. There is a superb view out to sea.

Some of the best beaches, with black sand and others with pebbles, are Kamari or Armeni, Amoudi Baxedes, Perissa, Monolithos and Kokini Paralia.

The unusual architecture and the outstanding monuments of Santorini attract very large numbers of visitors in the summer.

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