Terrace, or Thirasia (small Thira), - an island in the Aegean Sea, which belongs to the volcanic islands of Santorini (Thira), Cyclades. The island is the second largest group after Santorini.

In ancient times was part of a large Thirassia island Strong, which was an active volcano, known today as Santorini. About 3500 years ago there was a strong volcanic eruption, which is considered the strongest in the history of the Earth. After the explosion, a volcanic crater formed inside a huge hollow space whose walls could not stand its own weight and collapsed, thereby forming a huge caldera. Inside the caldera flooded waters of the Aegean Sea and it quickly sank. Thus was formed the island of Thirassia.

Today Thirassia - a small cozy island of length 5, 7 km, a width of 2, 7 km and an area of ​​9, 3 sq km The highest peak of the island - Mount Viglos, whose height is 295 meters above sea level. The east coast is steep cliffs, the western part - flatter. On the terrace, there are three small settlements - Manolos (capital of the island), and Agia Irini Potamos. According to the 2001 census, the population of the island was only 268 people. Thirassia Administrative belongs to the municipality of Thira.

Capital Manolos is located on the edge of the caldera, opposite the island of Santorini and the town of Oia. Small houses, built between the rocks, old windmills, churches and narrow streets create a typical Cycladic village flavor.

It is interesting that on such a small island there is a total of 21 churches (including the small chapel), built in the 19th century. The most famous of them - the church of St. Irene, the Church of St. Constantine, the church of Panagia Lagada and the monastery of the Assumption.