Imerovigli
Imerovigli is a village in Santorini situated 3 km north of Fira, at the highest point of the caldera, approximately 300 meters above sea level. It is a picturesque settlement, with the famous Cycladic colors, built at the highest point of the cliff, with houses literally perched on the edge, and with stunning views of the Caldera and the volcano. Its name comes from the words imera (=day) and vigla (Latin vigilare: "to supervise") and can probably be attributed to the existence of a tower that functioned as a day observatory, as it was easy to scan the entire area from that location and inform islandersin case of approaching pirates.
In front of the village is a rocky headland, called "Skaros". There, are the ruins of the Venetian castle, one of those built in the Cyclades by Marco Sanudo, a Venetian crusader, nephew of Doge Enrico Dandolo, who took part in the fourth Crusade and in 1207 founded the Duchy of the Archipelago, with Naxos as the capital. It was one of the five castles of medieval Santorini and in fact for several centuries served as the capital of the island.
In Imerovigli, apart from the characteristic Santorini architecture and the amazing sunset, you can visit the Church of Panagia Malteza, inside the settlement (the icon was found in Malta, hence the name), the church of the Resurrection. On the path leading to Skaros rock you will find the chapel of Agios Ioannis Aokefalistis, whereasperched on the edge of a cliff under Skaros Rock is Panagia TheoskepastiChapel.
Also, from Imerovigli passes the walking path that starts from Fira and ends in Oia, the only path that connected Oia with the island's capital before the road was constructed.