Greece reopens Bronze Age site on Santorini island
Greece reopened on Wednesday the Bronze Age site of Akrotiri on the tourist island of Santorini, seven years after its roof collapsed, killing a British visitor.
Known as the “Pompeii of the Aegean”, the prehistoric town was buried under thick layers of volcanic ash during an eruption 3,700 years ago that may have destroyed the Minoan civilisation in Crete to the south.
“One of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece and the world opened its gates again,” said Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Petros Alivizatos. “Akrotiri, which is now fully safe, will attract visitors and boost Greek tourism.”
The site was closed down in 2005 after its roof collapsed killing a 45-year old Welsh tourist. A new roof made of steel and wood now shelters the settlement discovered by Greek archaeologists in 1967.
