Santorini Island - Cyclades, Greece
Santorini (Greek Σαντορινη) is a small, circular group of volcanic islands located in the Aegean Sea, about 200 km south-east from Athens (latitude: 36.40°N - longitude: 25.40°E). It is also known by the name of the largest island in the archipelago, Thira or Thera.
It is the most active volcanic region in the Aegean sea, though what remains today is much less than a real active volcano. The name Santorini comes from Italian - and this is not by chance as it was given by the Venetians in the 13th century, as a commemoration to Saint Irene. Further in past it was called Kallisti, Strongili or Thera.
With the enormous eruption of the Santorini volcano, which completely destroyed the Minoan civilization. Excavations in the 1960s showed that there was a considerable Minoan civilization on Santorini (before it was considered that they lived only on Crete). The eruption was one of the biggest on the planet for the last 20 000 years. It destroyed the island as it was and left one enormous Laguna, surrounded by small fragmentary islands.
The earliest traces of human settlement are Late Neolithic (4th millennium BC or earlier). It is interesting to note that the first pipes with running water and water closets were not found in Rome, but here, at Santorini. There are hot geothermic spas, due to the proximity of the volcano. Some of the frescoes discovered are extremely valuable. Some people even believe that the Minoan civilization was the mysterious Atlantida.
Santorini was annexed to Greece in 1912. Major residential areas in Santorini include Fira (Phira), Oia, Emporio, Kamari, Imerovigli, Pyrgos and Therasia. Akrotiri is a significant archaeological site with ruins from the Minoan era. The island has no big rivers and water is scarce. Until recently the locals used to fill tanks from the rain that fell on their roofs and courts, from small springs as well as by importing water from other areas of Greece. Nowadays, there is a desalination plant that provides running, yet non-drinkable, water to most houses. The primary industry of Santorini is tourism. All have been closed since 1986 in order to preserve the crater of Santorini.
Santorini is home to a small but blooming wine industry, based on the indigenous grape brand, Assyrtiko. Assyrtiko vines are extremely old, as they are resistant to diseases and have had not needed to be replaced during the great phylloxera epidemic of the early 20th century. The tradition is that these vines are planted far away from one another, and the main humidity source is dew. The vines are trained in the shape of baskets, with the grapes hanging inside to protect them from the winds (this is a local way to preserve the harvest). Also unique is the red, sweet and extremely strong Vinsanto wine.
Santorini was also struck by a devastating earthquake in 1956. Unfortunately neither the volcanic, nor the seismic activity are finished yet. Hopefully science will be advanced enough to warn people well in advance; and also let's hope that the damages will be as little as possible.
When in Santorini, take the opportunity to visit the Museum of Prehistoric Era, which is really diverse, worth seeing - if you follow the saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans" - and paraphrase it: "When in Greece, pay attention to the antiquities, because there's the place to do that." The exhibits in the museum include pottery, jewellery wall paintings.
The "hera" (main town and administrative centre of the island) is Fira. You can reach it on foot or on horse /donkey back. If you're not much of a sports person, and prefer to avoid the thousands of steps and steep streets, there is a funicular train. Hellenic, Roman and modern statues mingle in the town centre, a proof of the long and rich history of the place.
On the highest peak of the island is situated the monastery of the Prophet Ilijah.
Don't miss the wonderful beaches - some with sand, others with pebbles that berry the colourful names Kokini, Baxedes Perissa, Armeni, Amoudi, Monolithos.
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