Chapel Zoodochos Pigi, Kamari, Santorini Island - Waychapels on Waymarking.com

The natural spring in the cave-like opening of the limestone bedrock of Profitis Ilias was the main water source for the city of ancient Thera, as well as for the entire island. The cave, which measures 26 m. long, is known as Zoodochos Pigi (Life-giving Spring) after the chapel of the same name situated at its entrance. In antiquity, the spring was connected to ancient Thera via the main road leaving the city towards the north. Parts of this ancient way survive today, slightly lower than the modern path which passes in front of the spring. The ancient road continued further along the eastern flank of Profitis Ilias, to an extensive cemetery with stone-cut tombs. It is likely that a second branch of the ancient road split off near the spring and traveled down to the northern harbor of the city, known as ancient Oia, at the foot of Mesa Vouno. The water of the spring drips from the ceiling of the cave into a natural basin, created by the spring water itself. Traces of ancient cuttings in the rock of the cave indicate that water management works were carried out. Among these, a channel, the lower part of which survives today with width of 0.70-0.80 m., takes the water from the spring to the front of the cave. It is indeed likely that there was also some sort of construction underneath the modern chapel. Although the quantity of water supplied by the spring was most likely not sufficient to cover the needs of the inhabitants of the city, it was in continuous use during antiquity. It appears that the spring was also used, in ancient times as well as modern, as a place for travelers on foot to stop and rest. Numerous inscriptions of the Archaic period, bearing personal names, were carved into the smooth surface of the stones surrounding the spring.

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