Beyond the Caldera
The magnificent island of Santorini is famous for its Caldera and wonderful sunsets in cliffside settlements like Oia, Imerovigli, and Fira. However, the island’s true soul lies in its traditional mainland villages. These historic settlements experienced a Golden Age at the beginning of the last century, fueled by the trade of famous local wine to Imperial Russia and France.
The Village of Megalochori
Among these, Megalochori stands out as one of the most authentic and picturesque villages. Its history is recorded back to the 17th century. The village is a maze of winding cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, a design originally created to confuse marauding pirates who once plagued the Aegean Sea.
Unlike other settlements, Megalochori was the home of the feudal landlords of the island. These wealthy merchants and barons built high walls around their estates to ensure privacy and protection, creating the secluded “village within a village” atmosphere that our guests enjoy today.
The Family & The Wine Trade
The wealth of these 19th-century landlords came from exporting the unique Vinsanto wine. Megalochori had a particularly strong trade link with Odessa; in fact, many of the church bells that still toll in the village today were brought back from Russia as gifts by these traveling merchants.
Our estates, Santorini Heritage Villas, are two authentic aristocratic residences that belonged to different members of the same prominent family. They stand as a testament to the island’s golden age of trade and nobility.
Mansion Kyani: Rising from the Ruins
Mansion Kyani offers a rare architectural duality. While the Canava (wine cellar) and utility rooms survived the devastating earthquake of 1956, a portion of the main house was damaged.
During the restoration, we turned this history into beauty. The ruined section of the villa was respectfully transformed into the atmospheric swimming pool and garden area. Local craftsmen rebuilt the walls using the original volcanic pumice stone found in the ruins, ensuring the soul of the house remained intact.
Today, guests sleep in the Master Canava Bedroom inside the earth and bathe in the converted Linos (wine press), surrounded by walls that literally hold the history of the site. At night, the pool area shines brightly with specialized atmospheric lighting, highlighting the volcanic stone textures.
Mansion Sophia: The Exotic Manor
The second estate, Mansion Sophia, was named after its last owner, who managed to preserve the villa in excellent condition through the decades.
While the interior architecture is Neoclassical—with soaring high ceilings and polished wooden floors—the exterior exudes an exotic North African ambiance. The rooms overlook a spacious, high-walled courtyard centered around a stunning Moroccan-style pool and lush garden, offering absolute privacy.
A hidden gem of Sophia is the small garden off the kitchen, which offers a perfect view of the village’s picturesque church bells framed by colorful plants—the ideal spot for a quiet breakfast.
Renovation & Feng Shui
When we undertook the massive project of restoration, our goal was not just to rebuild, but to respect. We adhered strictly to the original architectural plans, adding modern luxuries like air conditioning and Wi-Fi without disrupting the historic character.
We went a step further by becoming the first villas in Santorini to be Feng Shui Certified. By harmonizing the flow of energy (Qi) through the ancient volcanic stone and the carefully placed entrances, we have created an environment that does not just look beautiful, but feels profoundly peaceful.
