Pyrgos: Churches, Icons and Neoclassical Mansions

Pyrgos combines traditional architecture with churches, neoclassical mansions and a collection of religious art. In 1995, the village was declared a protected settlement. Visitors interested in architecture and religious history will find a variety of subjects to explore here, even without following a set sightseeing itinerary: the village’s appearance, a collection of icons and the history of rural life.

Churches and Icons in Pyrgos

There are 56 churches in Pyrgos. Visitors can admire both the traditional architecture and the neoclassical mansions. These represent different architectural styles side by side: sacred buildings and mansions that contribute to the village’s distinctive appearance.

A collection of icons and church relics is housed in the Church of Agia Triada in the Kasteli of Pyrgos. The collection includes icons by Cretan and local artists. The building’s history is also remarkable: Agia Triada was once the main church of a convent. For those interested in religious art, the collection and the church’s former purpose come together in one place.

Rural Life and Santorini’s Fava

The Cultural Village “Santorini of the past” is located in the village of Pyrgos. In the traditional Santorinian farmhouse depicted there, the central space was a large room used as a workspace and meeting room. Basic furniture and equipment were suited to the activities of the farming family.

One distinctive detail is a wooden hand mill. It was used to process peas into Santorini’s fava after threshing and winnowing. This sequence illustrates a specific part of farm work, from prepared crops to a regional food. Santorini’s fava is a PDO product made from the cotyledons of the legume Lathyrus clymenum L., which grows exclusively in the volcanic soil of Thera. The hand mill exhibit thus connects with a distinctive feature of the region’s food culture.

A Place Within the Wider Destination of Santorini

Beyond Pyrgos’s local history, Santorini offers other cultural and landscape attractions. The island is the southernmost of the Cyclades. Its caldera was formed by a massive eruption around 1600 BC, and the island group is shaped by active volcanoes. Akrotiri preserves remarkably well-preserved Minoan frescoes and buildings that were buried under volcanic ash.

Hiking trails also connect Pyrgos with Profitis Ilias, Emporio and Ancient Thera. This complements a visit to churches and mansions with routes to named destinations on Santorini. Visitors who factor the hiking trails into their travel plans can use these specific destinations, alongside their cultural interest in Pyrgos, as a guide when choosing a holiday apartment.

Fava is not Santorini’s only culinary specialty: the Santorini tomato is also a PDO product, and its cultivation dates back to the early 19th century. The white Santorini eggplant has a sweet aroma and juicy flesh that does not absorb oil when fried. Local cooks also make tomato fritters called Tomatokeftedes with PDO cherry tomatoes. These regional products offer another way to experience Santorini’s distinctive character, alongside Pyrgos’s cultural highlights.

A seasonal event is the Ifestia Festival, held on the third Saturday in September, which depicts the volcanic eruption with fireworks. Check the dates for the relevant edition before planning a trip around the festival.

Discover more destinations: Vothonas, Anafi, Thirasia, Vourvoulos, Éxo Goniá, Thira, Mylopotas, Manganari Ios.

For the main travel overview: Santorini.