Emporio is a small village within Santorini. Not one of the main tourist destinations, it’s somewhere that nestles peacefully inland at the foot of Mount Profitis Ilias. Some of its most iconic features are its 15th century castle and ruined tower. However, it’s also a real treat for its medieval streets and pathways that twist through the sloping village alongside white-washed buildings and sun-baked homes. It was these streets that particularly caught my attention and captured my imagination as I explored Emporio, having broken away from some of the island’s better-known destinations. The village certainly reflected the higgledy-piggledy nature of Fira and Pyrgos, but on a smaller scale, which made for great exploration.
While I was walking around Emporio’s very narrow alleyways, I came across this particular scene. A perfect medley of elements, this natural portrait really demonstrated what the village here was all about. Framed by an elegant archway, the capture depicts a warren of steps leading to an Escher-esque jumble of doorways and tiers – something that is reflected throughout the village. A hint of blue sky at the top offers a lovely lapis contrast to the white-washed tones of the buildings – a typical painting technique that is used to reflect sunlight and heat. Meanwhile, varying degrees of light and shadow create an almost 3D effect. I love the way there is so much going on in this one single snapshot – it certainly has a level of surrealism, surpassed only by its character and charm
Emporio is a small village within Santorini. Not one of the main tourist destinations, it’s somewhere that nestles peacefully inland at the foot of Mount Profitis Ilias. Some of its most iconic features are its 15th century castle and ruined tower. However, it’s also a real treat for its medieval streets and pathways that twist through the sloping village alongside white-washed buildings and sun-baked homes. It was these streets that particularly caught my attention and captured my imagination as I explored Emporio, having broken away from some of the island’s better-known destinations. The village certainly reflected the higgledy-piggledy nature of Fira and Pyrgos, but on a smaller scale, which made for great exploration.
While I was walking around Emporio’s very narrow alleyways, I came across this particular scene. A perfect medley of elements, this natural portrait really demonstrated what the village here was all about. Framed by an elegant archway, the capture depicts a warren of steps leading to an Escher-esque jumble of doorways and tiers – something that is reflected throughout the village. A hint of blue sky at the top offers a lovely lapis contrast to the white-washed tones of the buildings – a typical painting technique that is used to reflect sunlight and heat. Meanwhile, varying degrees of light and shadow create an almost 3D effect. I love the way there is so much going on in this one single snapshot – it certainly has a level of surrealism, surpassed only by its character and charm
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