It is an archaeological site of an area inhabited for more than 1.000 years and is located on a rock southeast of the island, at an altitude of 369m of the Mesa Mountain, among the existing settlements of Perissa and Kamari. The location of the settlement is of strategic importance, found by the Lacedaemonian settlers in the early 8th century BC. The commander of these colonists was named Thiras, from which the current official name of the island derives.

For many years the city-state of Thira was the only urban center of the island, whereas much later six smaller settlements were created. During the Byzantine era it was primarily used by residents of surrounding areas as a refuge from the pirates. The extensive reconstruction of the archaeological site resulted in the destruction of older buildings in order to find new findings, so now the remaining findings are from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Many of the findings are exposed in the Archaeological Museum of Fira.

It should briefly be noted that in the monasteries, the temples, the public buildings, the residences etc. a minimalistic architectural form is followed, which is probably due to the general ideological views of the first settlers. The visitor can easily understand the organization of the city and living habits of its inhabitants. The main monuments of the archeological site:

- The Market, which is located in the cities center
- The Royal lodge with statues of Caesar's family
- The Temple of Artemis
- The Temple of Dionysus, of Doric style
- The Theatre
- The High School of Youth
- The Market of the Gods, where the Sanctuary of Apollo Carneios is dominating
- The Cemeteries

Opening hours
Tuesday - Sunday, 8.30 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.

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