BEFORE THE BUILDING BOOM

The excavations of Ancient Thera, under the direction of Friedrich Hiller Von Gaertringen, brought the German Archaeological Institute to Santorini. With their camera, they recorded not only the archaeological site but also the landscape and the architecture of the period. This photograph, taken on the eastern side of the island, shows Kamari beach and Monolithos in the distance. Very few farmsteads are evident in the area, a direct contrast to the modern landscape of the area.

DRESSED TO IMPRESS

One of the first professional photographers of the island was Antonis Lagadas, who was particularly fascinated by the local social life of the early 1900s. In this incredible picture from 1908, published here for the first time, we see a group of people dressed for a special occasion standing outside Agios Efstathios in Megalohori. 

© Antonia Noussia Collection

THE HIGHEST VILLAGE

Pyrgos at the end of the 19th century. The old Venetian fortress dominates; below it, several of the neoclassical mansions are evident.

© German Archaeological Institute

THE MUSIC SCHOOL

The Santorini Music School was founded by Don Pashalis Mitilinaios, who was born in 1866. Mitilinaios died only a few months after the earthquake of 1956, heartbroken by the destruction of the ecclesiastical organ at the Catholic Cathedral of St. John in Fira. This picture, one of the first pictures of the music school, dates from 1901 – the date is stamped on the back of the photograph. 

© Santorini Catholic Archives

A STAR HAVING FUN

The celebrated actress Olivia de Havilland learning a Greek dance during a visit to Santorini in September of 1955. Markos Nomikos had invited de Havilland and other actors to the island; the photograph was taken by renowned Greek photo-journalist Konstantinos Megalokonomou. 

© Dimitris Tsitouras Collection

THE AGE OF SAILS

The old port of Fira was a bustling hub with direct trade routes to several ports in the Mediterranean and Russia. 

© Circa 1900 - photograph from the German Archaeological Institute

AGE OLD WINES

Barrel-making has always been a very important craft for Santorini; it is crucial to the wine-making process and to the transportation of local wines. 

© Emmanouil Lignos Collection

CAPITAL ON A CLIFF

The capital of Santorini at the end of the 19th century. The Catholic quarter is evident in the distance while the Orthodox Cathedral, under construction, is visible on the right, alongside the new archaeological museum. 

© German Archaeological Institute

THE OLD "NEXT" GENERATION

Children gathering in the garden of the neoclassical Lagadas family mansion in Pyrgos in the 1920s.

© Maria Nomikos Collection

VOLCANIC ISLAND

The caldera at the turn of the century, with the volcanic pumice from its quarries being sent down the steep cliff in order to be exported. 

© German Archaeological Institute

RELICS OF THE PAST

Right: The old port of Fira and the stairway leading up to the top edge of the caldera. Several barrels are lined up while the hard-working donkeys wait patiently for their next load. 

Left: The Castle of Oia, taken by Pierre Kefer in the 1930s. An incredible glimpse into the architecture of one of the most well-known locations in the world. Both the fortified structure and the other buildings have changed significantly in this location since the earthquake of 1956.

© Emmanouil Lignos Collection, Lefteris Zorzos Collection

A TIME TO PLAY

Children swimming in a local competition at Perissa Beach

© Emmanouil Lignos Collection

END OF AN ERA

The end of an era. The cataclysmic earthquake that occurred in the early morning of July 9th, 1956, changed the island forever. This year, the 60th anniversary of that earthquake, exhibitions and talks focusing on the event will take place in Pyrgos and Kamari.

© Santorini Catholic Archives