Castle of Oia

The Castle of Oia, also known as the Kasteli of Agios Nikolaos, is defined by its exposed volcanic stone ruins perched directly on the cliffside of the caldera. First documented in fourteen eighty, this site was established by the Venetian Dargent family as a defensive stronghold to protect the local population against frequent pirate raids. To withstand these threats, the settlement was constructed with inward-facing houses that formed a continuous outer defensive wall, while hidden underground pits served as secure storage for valuables.