skaros rock, santorini | the kingdom of volcanic rocks
skaros rock is a rock formation which juts out into the sea, and venetian fortress ruins that look like a pile of rocks - so I call it: the kingdom of volcanic rocks. you can access it by a steep downward climb from the village of imerovigli, which takes 10-15 minutes.
it’s an eye-bath of rocks and volcanic colors. I’d recommend it for rock and geology-lovers, people who like adventurous climbing, and steep cliff-side views of santorini itself. it must be an excellent place to watch the sunset, when the red rocks will be bathed in gold.
if you walk around, you’ll see a blue domed church at the other side of the cliff, and views of the sea beyond - which, on a quiet day, can feel otherworldly. then again, many moments of this island can feel that way.
if you climb around upwards, the rock formation will feel like a castle - with secret rooms and places where you could easy get stuck and die, or, on a violently windy day, be blown off into the sea. have you seen 127 hours?
unfortunately, you will have to ignore the ugly marks of couples who carved their initials and dates on rocks. it is a graveyard of youthful infatuation.
it is a good place for meditating on rocks, surrounded by rocks. I saw some beautiful rock stacks there - assembled by humans. they are not smooth like moons, washed by the river or sea - most of them are sharp, pointy, and look like weapons.
*
the history of this place involves the byzantine empire, venetian fortifications, and ottoman piracy and ultimate conquests.
however, before I knew any of this, I made up a story in my head to explain why this place exists:
the simple version of the story
there was a sorcesses-queen of the island who met and fell in love with a passing pirate. the pirate promised her everything - to give up his pirate life, and live with her in a castle overlooking the sea. they were happy for a few months. then one day, the queen discovered that he had betrayed her, and had packed his bag full of her jewels, and was ready to escape the island. heartbroken, she turned the castle and everyone in it - all the servants, the animals, her lover, and herself — into stone. now, it is a fortress of rocks and ruins. on windiest days, when the sun hits the rocks and everything is bathed in gold, you can lean your ear against a rock, and maybe, if you listen closely, you can still hear her crying.
*
