The Atlantis bookstore in Oia is not only a delight for someone who loves books, but also for someone who loves a good story.
So here’s the background story for you, followed by some pictures. Because where words fail to describe, the pictures may transport you right into the heart of this dreamy bookstore.
When two Americans, Craig and Oliver, visited Oia in 2002, they found themselves in shortage of good books to read and literally no bookstore for English books. That’s when they decided to build one, with the help of few friends. In 2004, the Atlantis bookstore opened in Oia, a village perched on the volcanic cliff at the edge of Santorini island in Greece.
The bookstore looks like a cave, with walls covered in either books or literary scribblings. A collective, co-operative effort allows people to work in the store as well as live and sleep there. A little bit like Shakespeare & Co bookstore in Paris! A lot of people have come and gone, each of them leaving a mark on the store. The books are in various languages and are brought in from London, Paris, Athens, Madrid, etc. The staff is friendly and very helpful with any questions one may have. They even have a terrace with fabulous views of the sea as well as the sunset.
If you find yourself in Oia, the treasure trove that is the Atlantis bookstore must not be missed.
Atlantis Bookstore – Snapshots
Entrace
Rent a cat?
You might as well live!
Literary scribblings
Literary scribblings
Literary scribblings
Literary scribblings
Literary scribblings
Names of the people who have lived and worked in the store.
Walls lined with books
Book art
More walls lined with more books!
Teeny-weeny books that can be mailed in an envelope – souvenir from Oia!
Chain of events – Life of Atlantis bookstore
Chain of events – Life of Atlantis bookstore
Chain of events – Life of Atlantis bookstore
And finally, my favourite!
