How can be possible to fit an island like Santorini with its volcanic flavors, exquisite attractions, long & rich historical heritage , innumeral hiden corners, and unique magic in one post -even if it is bigger than normally… How can the beauty of its sunset be captured on a screen and how can the colors of the horizon be fitted in my pages…? Whatever the answer can be , I wish you enjoy every single part of this post because the Beauty is everywhere and it is even more precious when we share it…!
Santorini (Greek: Σαντορίνη, classically Thera and officially Thira (Greek: Θήρα , is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece‘s mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. It forms the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km2 (28 sq mi) and a 2011 census population of 15,550. The municipality of Santorini includes the inhabited islands of Santorini and Therasia and the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Christiana. The total land area is 90.623 km2 .
Santorini is essentially what remains after an enormous volcanic eruption that destroyed the earliest settlements on a formerly single island, and created the current geological caldera. A giant central, rectangular lagoon, which measures about 12 by 7 km (7.5 by 4.3 mi), is surrounded by 300 m (980 ft) high, steep cliffs on three sides.
The main island slopes downward to the Aegean Sea. On the fourth side, the lagoon is separated from the sea by another much smaller island called Therasia; the lagoon is connected to the sea in two places, in the northwest and southwest.
The depth of the caldera, at 400m, makes it impossible for any but the largest ships to anchor anywhere in the protected bay; there is also a fisherman’s harbour at Vlychada, on the southwestern coast. The island’s principal port is Athinios. The capital, Fira, clings to the top of the cliff looking down on the lagoon. The volcanic rocks present from the prior eruptions feature olivine, and have a small presence of hornblende.
It is the most active volcanic centre in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, though what remains today is chiefly a water-filled caldera. The volcanic arc is approximately 500 km (310 mi) long and 20 to 40 km (12 to 25 mi) wide. The region first became volcanically active around 3–4 million years ago, though volcanism on Thera began around 2 million years ago with the extrusion of dacitic lavas from vents around the Akrotiri.
The island is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history: the Minoan eruption(sometimes called the Thera eruption), which occurred some 3,600 years ago at the height of the Minoan civilization. The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits hundreds of metres deep and may have led indirectly to the collapse of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, 110 km (68 mi) to the south, through a gigantic tsunami. Another popular theory holds that the Thera eruption is the source of the legend of Atlantis .
Santorini was named by the Latin Empire in the thirteenth century, and is a reference to Saint Irene, from the name of the old cathedral in the village of Perissa – the name Santorini is a contraction of the name Santa Irini. Before then, it was known as Kallístē ( means , “the most beautiful one”), Strongýlē (Greek: Στρογγύλη, “the circular one”), or Thēra. The name Thera was revived in the nineteenth century as the official name of the island and its main city, but the colloquial name Santorini is still in popular use. During the Ottoman Empire‘s domination of the Aegean Sea, the Turkish exonym for the island was “Santurin” or “Santoron” .
Speculation on an Atlantis connection
Archaeological, seismological, and vulcanological evidence has been presented linking the Atlantis myth to Santorini. Speculation suggesting that Thera/Santorini was the inspiration for Plato‘s Atlantis began with the excavation of Akrotiri in the 1960s, and gained increased currency as reconstructions of the island’s pre-eruption shape and landscape frescos located under the ash both strongly resembled Plato’s description. The possibility has been more recently popularized by television documentaries such as The History Channel programme Lost Worlds (episode “Atlantis”), the Discovery Channel‘s Solving History with Olly Steeds, and the BBC’s Atlantis, The Evidence, which suggests that Thera is Plato’s Atlantis.
Santorini became independent of Ottoman rule in 1821, during the Greek War of Independence, and was united with Greece in 1830 under the Treaty of London.
During the Second World War, Santorini was occupied in 1941 by Italian forces, and in 1943 by those of the Germans. In 1944, the German and Italian garrison on Santorini was raided by a group of British Special Boat Service Commandos, killing most of its men. Five locals were shot in reprisal, including the mayor.
Cuisine
Local specialties:
- Brantada – A local Santorinian fish dish. Cod fillet coated in a mixture of flour, water, salt and sometimes beer, normally served with garlic salad. The best place to try it is in some less touristic villages, like Exo Gonia.
- Koskosela (local Strapatsada)
- Santorinio Sfougato – A traditional Santorini dish. Ingredients: small zucchini, onions, extra virgin olive oil, flour, eggs, rosemary leaves or spearmint tea leaves or dill, xinomyzithra or other sour milk cheese or soft feta, naxos sweet gruyère, salt and fresh ground pepper, sweet peppers, sesame seeds.
- Tsounisti (Manestra)
- Fava – A local Santorini dish, originally made with the broad bean. Later on, the broad bean was replaced with an easier version, the yellow shelled lentil. Its name originates from the word “favus” which is the Latin word for broad beans.
- Melitinia (dessert) – Melitinia are cookies that are made for weddings, engagements and festivals. They are made of unsalted mitzithra cheese and yogurt and they also have a beautiful smell of mastic. They can be found in the traditional bakeries of Santorini.
- Tomatokeftdes – also known as tomato fritters, is made with Santorini cherry sized tomatoes. It is cooked in olive oil with onions, peppers, mint and other herbs.
Of course one of the Best Places to Dine with Unique view is the Character Lounge Bar & Restaurant at Fira. Other interesting restaurants are ” The Athenian House” in Imerovigli, “Lauda Restaurant” at Adronis Boutique Hotel, “Sea Side by Notos” at Agios Georgios – Perivolos, “FlyAway” Creative Restaurant & Bar at Imerovigli, “Mylos” at Firostefani , “Casa di Te” – Firostefani without view but excellent food.
Wine industry
Architecture
The traditional architecture of Santorini is similar to that of the other Cyclades, with low-lying cubical houses, made of local stone and whitewashed or limewashed with various volcanic ashes used as colours. The unique characteristic is the common utilisation of the hypóskapha: extensions of houses dug sideways or downwards into the surrounding pumice. These rooms are prized because of the high insulation provided by the air-filled pumice, and are used as living quarters of unique coolness in the summer and warmth in the winter. These are premium storage space for produce, especially for wine cellaring: the Kánavawineries of Santorini.
When strong earthquakes struck the island in 1956, half the buildings were completely destroyed and a large number suffered repairable damage. The underground dwellings along the ridge overlooking the caldera, where the instability of the soil was responsible for the great extent of the damage, needed to be evacuated. Most of the population of Santorini had to emigrate to Piraeus and Athens.
Where to stay in Santorini :
Some nice choices for your accomodation would be Cavo Tagoo Santorini in Imerovigli, Andronis Boutique Hotel in Oia, Canaves – Oia Suites & Spa , Astra Suites , Katikies Hotel – Oia , Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini , Ambassador Aegean Luxury Hotel and Suites – Oia.
There are also plenty of luxury private villas all over the island where we can give you recommendations and prices upon request. Boheme Villa in Pyrgos is an excellent point for example.
Best way to go there:
Santorini is one of the few Cyclades Islands with a major airport, which lies about 6 km (4 mi) southeast of downtown Thera. Scheduled airlines include the new Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines, Ryanair and Athens Airways, with chartered flights from other airlines during the summer, and with transportation to and from the air terminal available through buses, taxis, hotel car-pickups and rental cars.
My Look :
Dresses & Shoes : Zara
Sunglasses : Michael Kors
Purse : Celine
Watch : Rolex
Hair Stylist : Gerasimos Galatis Santorini
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