The “DUCATO DI OIA” hotel occupies a unique site. It is on the side of the volcano “caldera", in the center of "Chora" which is the traditional settlement of Oia, Santorini. More specifically, the hotel is in the Monastiri-Ag. Charalampos area.
It is made up of typical "cave" and "external" buildings which were once used as dwellings.
This combination of “cave” and “external” buildings makes use of all the possibilities provided by the natural configuration of the terrain (slope of the volcanic ash) in the caldera. The domed style harks back to Santorini’s unique, traditional architecture. At the same time, local volcanic materials allow for a wide variety of uniquely beautiful "flexible" spaces and great freedom when it comes to the composition of individual elements.
The buildings were largely destroyed after the catastrophic earthquake of 1956, and much of their detail was lost.
In restoring them, we used all the existing on-site remains and the extensive archival and photographic material in our archive (eg a 1898 photograph by Hiller von Gaertringen documenting the existence of buildings on the site at that date, many pre-earthquake photos, an aerial photograph taken 10 days after the 1956 earthquake, old contracts and a multitude of historical documents).
With absolute respect for traditional Santorini architecture, these buildings were transformed into eleven furnished apartments with a capacity of 24 beds. At the same time, one of the most central points in the settlement of Oia was restored and revitalised.
Each apartment is independent, has a private courtyard and a hydromassage pool, either outdoors or indoors.
The exterior form of the buildings has been preserved, as have the individual architectural elements (terraces, stairs, built-in benches and parapets, domes, frames, etc.). The diversity and the "composition" of the units, and their interior design, mean that, rather than feeling like a "typical" hotel compartment, this accommodation feels like a "Santorini-style" home with a unique view of the caldera.
