Santorini

Santorini Overview

Santorini oozes romance, one of the reasons it’s so popular for honeymoons and all sorts of romantic escapes, though it’s on or near the top of just about every travelers’ bucket list. Stepping off the ferry you might think that you’ve stepped into a dream, with the endless whitewashed buildings adorned with blue doors and shutters, creating a breathtaking palette that reflects the sea and the sky, built into rugged cliffs that slope down to the glistening waters below. It’s all about jaw-dropping views, which can be found just about everywhere on this crescent-shaped outcrop.

On the island’s northern tip at Oia, churches, hotels, and homes spill down rock walls, creating one of the planet’s most stunning backdrops, though the scenery at sea level is just as impressive. While Santorini may not have many white sand beaches for lounging on, it does boast some of the most unique stretches on the planet, like Red Beach, where the cliffs with their fiery-red hue are turned into crimson sand at the bottom and framed by dazzling cerulean water. Of course, Santorini is well known for its black sand beaches like Perivolos and Perissa and Perivolos, but it also offers several beaches with white sand as well. Wine enthusiasts can take advantage of fine local wine which is especially high quality due to the land’s volcanic elements. It flows almost as freely as the hot springs near the volcano, with vineyards and wineries dotted across the island, including Boutari Winery, established back in 1879.

Santorini History in a Nutshell

While the island’s scenery may steal the spotlight, Santorini dates back to at least the Bronze Age and is home to some notable historic and archaeological sites that help bring the past to life. Around 3600 BC it hosted an important civilization, with discoveries made near Akrotiri revealing evidence of an ancient Minoan colony, including pottery and wall ornaments. The archaeological excavation site that features ruins from the old city of Akrotiri was first discovered in the 1800s. The once thriving town was buried by a volcanic eruption similar to Pompeii, and is considered one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the Aegean Sea. Visitors can witness multi-level buildings and drainage systems that included pipes with running water and even ancient toilets, the oldest ever discovered. There are incredible Minoan frescoes and other artifacts as well.

Santorini was once called Stongili, or “round” in Greek. In 1500 BC, the massive volcano eruption that occurred here was so dramatic that many consider it to be the primary cause of the demise of Crete’s Minoan civilization – 70 nautical miles away. The explosion caused the center of the island to sink and it was followed by multiple earthquakes that destroyed the majority of Stongili. Some ancient myths say the destruction is closely linked to the Atlantis legend. Around 1300 BC, history has shown that the Phoenicians settled on ancient Thera and remained through five generations. Around 825 BC, the island was known as Thera, and inhabitants used the Phoenician alphabet. A century or so later, Thera had trade and commercial relationships with cities and islands throughout Greece. It eventually became a key trade center, thanks to its strategic position in the Aegean. It was in 1204 AD under Byzantine rule when the island became part of the Duke of the Aegean, surrendered to Venetian Marco Sanudo. The Venetians gave the island the name Santorini after Santa Irini, a chapel of Saint Irene.

Santorini’s long history manages to stay alive through its archaeological sites. The Ancient Thera on Mesa Vouno Mountain also provides evidence in its churches and Venetian ruins, while the caldera and volcano reveal how the progress of the island is connected to the forces of nature that have resulted in its magical aura and extraordinary views.