There’s this really cool bookstore perched above the Aegean sea on the Greek Island of Santorini.
It’s called Atlantis Books and it is a bibliophile’s dream!
The unique bookstore is located on the main marble street – yes marble! – of the town of Oia, where the weather is so fair, books are displayed outside year-round.
The very old physical building is as quirky as the sun is hot in the Mediterranean.
Here’s the backstory of how Atlantis Books came to be…
In the winter of 2004, a group of like-minded friends from Cyprus, England, and the United States traveled down to Santorini. They discovered there was no bookstore on the island so they found an empty building in Oia, “drank some whiskey, and signed a lease.” The rest, as they say, is history.
Atlantis Books opened in the spring of 2004 with the intention of bringing together art, literature, and creatives to one of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet.
They offer literature in seven languages including classic fiction, poetry, philosophy, art, rare antiquarian books, and collectors’ first editions.
Perusing fine books on an open sun-baked rooftop terrace cooled by the soft breeze from the sea?
YES PLEASE!
The exterior and the rooftop book terrace are completely enchanting, but check out the funky interior…
This place is cavernous!
The tall ceiling is actually a massive barrel vault.
Look closer and you can see the hand-painted story of the bookstore laid out in a timeline.
And in the spiral of the cathedral – names!
Perhaps all of the people who made Atlantis Books possible?
Every nook, every surface, everything that resembles a shelf, is crammed with books!
You need a step ladder or a hovercraft to get to the highest of the book stacks!
Kitties have a special place in Atlantis Books.
And for you dog lovers, Atlantis Books has you covered too with an adorable resident pooch.
Back outside…. patrons can also stay entertained by reading all the handpainted signs.
Atlantis Books is quite possibly the coolest bookstore in the world!
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/atlantisbooks
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Santorini – a place dear to my heart. Made many lovely memories while visiting this island!