Three Bells of Fira


The Three Bells of Fira, officially known as the Catholic Church of the Dormition, is an Eastern Catholic Greek Byzantine church, located in the town of Fira, on the island of Santorini, in the Southern Aegean region of Greece. The church is known for its blue dome, three bells and views, located directly above the cliffs which dominate western Santorini.

History

The site of the modern Three Bells of Fira has been occupied by a number of other buildings. In the mid-17th century, two modest cave churches were built into the then-solid cliff face. These churches were eventually destroyed as the cliff receded and an infirmary was built. This building was eventually occupied by Jesuits, who lived on the site until the land was given to the Diocese of Santorini. The current church was built in 1757, and then refurbished and expanded multiple times over the centuries. The structure was heavily damaged in the 1956 Amorgos earthquake, after which the building was restored. The church's feast day is 15 August.