Catholic Cathedral (Saint John The Baptist)

Most visitors to Fira look out over the caldera, but a few steps from the cliff edge a quieter church recalls another side of Santorini's history. The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist is the main Catholic church of the island, and it has been the seat of the Catholic bishop of Santorini. It was completed in 1823 and stands in the centre of Fira, close to the Orthodox cathedral of Ypapanti, which makes the Greek and Western Christian traditions neighbours in the capital.

The presence of a Catholic community on a mainly Orthodox Greek island goes back to the Middle Ages. After the Fourth Crusade, Santorini passed to Venetian and then Frankish lords, who brought Latin clergy and settlers with them, and for centuries the island was part of the Duchy of the Archipelago. Many of the Catholic families lived within the fortified settlements, especially at Skaros, the rocky headland near Imerovigli that was the island's medieval capital, and later in Fira. Over time the community shrank, but it has continued to maintain its own churches, convents and schools, and Santorini remains one of the Cycladic islands with a visible Catholic minority.

The church was damaged in the earthquake of 1956, which affected most of the buildings in the island, and was restored afterward. Its interior is calmer and more restrained than that of the nearby Orthodox cathedral, with a nave, side altars and windows that let in the light from the sea. The design reflects Western influences brought by the Venetian era and the nineteenth century, in contrast to the icon-covered interiors of Orthodox churches. Visitors will notice that the church has pews rather than standing space, and statues instead of the screens of icons.

The cathedral is an active place of worship, so visitors who come inside should dress modestly, speak quietly and avoid walking around during services. It is generally open during the day, but hours may vary, and it is best to check the times of services if you want to attend. The setting is a pleasant place to rest from the heat and the crowds on Fira's main street, and to think about the island's layered past.

It makes sense to combine this stop with a walk to the Orthodox cathedral and the Archaeological Museum nearby, and with the cliff path that leads north toward Firostefani and Imerovigli.