St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Santorini

St. John the Baptist Cathedral is a brick structure in Fira featuring baroque revival elements with blue-gray and cream tones throughout. The building displays ornate details and a distinctive architecture that sets it apart from typical Greek Orthodox structures.

The cathedral was originally built in 1823 and completely reconstructed following the devastating 1956 earthquake. Restoration of the structure was completed in 1970, marking the end of a major renewal effort.

This place functions as a spiritual center for the Catholic community of Fira, drawing worshippers from different backgrounds. The presence of multilingual services shows how the congregation bridges local and international traditions.

The building is located in Fira's old town on a steep cliff with fine views of the Aegean Sea and surrounding islands. Visitors should prepare for stairs and narrow streets that lead to and from this location.

The cathedral's interior features a striking Mediterranean blue dome, while the exterior glows in pale orange. This color choice deliberately departs from the classic blue-and-white scheme found in the island's orthodox architecture.

Location: Fira

Location: Thira Municipality

Inception: 1823

Architectural style: baroque revival

Made from material: brick

GPS coordinates: 36.42053,25.43081

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:01