House History
Our great grandparents, Margarita and Giannis who built the house as a wedding gift to their first born daughter, Kyriakoula, sitting in front of The Cydonia tree, “Kυδωνιά”, holding their two grand children margarita and giannis.
Cydonia caves has evolved from a 200-year-old historical house used originally as a residence and canava – winery – into an authentic, Cycladic boutique accommodation. Great effort was given to maintain the history and elegance of the house.
Outside the main entrance, we maintain the original store used at first to sell furniture, manufacturer by Giannis and later our wine barrels.
‘Assyrtiko cave’ was the canava – winery – of the house. Grapes were collected from the family vineyards outside the main village during the vedema – the local grape harvest – which takes place during August and the first days of September. All the locals from the village would gather in dance and celebration while children and young adults enjoyed the activity of stepping on the grapes to create ‘moustos’. This juice was then stored in big barrels built by family members as the wine matured and was later enjoyed all year long and exported abroad.
Today our vineyards are harvested by the Sigalas winery contributing to the production of the famous assyrtiko “Santorini” wine.
Every place of the house plays an important role in our history and in every corner, you can enjoy peaceful times. Our yard was famous within our village as it was transformed by the children into an outdoor summer theater where the locals could enjoy plays, dances and games.
Every original alcove has been maintained. The two long alcoves in the caves of ‘Assyrtiko’ and ‘Athiri’, now transformed into walk in closets, and were once the place where food was stored, as they had the lowest temperature in the house.
The Blue Domed Church by Cydonia Caves
Legend has it that the villagers of Megalochori once saw the icon of Mary floating in the Aegean Sea. The most courageous men swam in the sea to obtain the floating icon and place it in the church of Agioi Anargyroi, the second largest church of the village. The following day, the icon was found standing in the central square “Potamos” and was seen as a sign to build a church dedicated to Mary in that spot. It is now the largest church of the village which in order to be built, all villagers donated their valuables and gold.
Megalochori is famous for the number of churches spread throughout the village and the vineyards. Every church is dedicated to a saint and is celebrated by locals on their nameday with the famous “panigiria” i.e. locals attend the Mass dedicated to the saint and then enjoy wine, olives, bread and fava to the “panigirospito;home of festivities” the place build right next to church, to celebrate the saint.
THE RESTORATION
Cydonia caves has evolved from a 200-year-old historical house used originally as a residence and canava – winery – into an authentic, Cycladic-styled boutique accommodation. Great effort was given to maintain the history and elegance of the house.
