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Greek Islands
> Aegean Sea
> Cyclades islands >
South Cyclades >
Santorini Island
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Santorini
(Thera)
Island in Greece
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Santorini related
sites
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Santorini is one of the most popular destinations
of Greece and it is known as one of the most spectacular landscape in the
world. Every year, thousands of
visitors go to Santorini to discover the famous submerged caldera, the
volcano's crater which is situated today in the middle of a 32 square
miles basin of water.
Around the basin, hanging on cliffs of 150m to 300m height, you can find
one of the most beautiful traditional
villages of the Cyclades.
White Cycladic houses and blue painted windows fighting against black
volcanic rocks rising from the sea, is a spectacle that will inspire more
than an artist… These villages are Fira, Firostefani, Immerovigli and
Oia. |
Fire in the Sea: The Santorini Volcano:
Natural History and the Legend of Atlantis
click on image for more info and/or buy this
book |
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refreshing the page will bring up more Santorini Island
related sites |
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Santorini's history |
Santorini has plenty of archaeological
sites which proves the first man presence on the island back to the
Neolithic Period. Santorini history had the same evolution that in the
other islands of the Cyclades.
An important civilization seems to have existed
near Akrotiri, at the south of the island, next to the famous Red beach,
dating back to 3600 BC. It is proved that Akrotiri was a Minoan city,
like those found in Crete. The houses were plenty of frescos and pottery
showing naturalistic landscapes, animals or humans.
In ancient time, Santorini, then called
Strongili (means rounded in Greek), was the victim of an enormous volcano
eruption dating back to 1500 BC and what remained today are Thera,
Therasia and Aspronisi.
The explosions created huge waves which washed the shores of the
surrounding islands and Crete. The consequence of that explosion is that a part
of the island sank and the earthquakes destroyed all the rest of the island.
Many people relate the sinking of the island to the mythical Atlantis.
more historical info for Santorini |
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Santorini Island today |
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According
to tradition the Island has one Church for each family. Each Church has a
name given after a Saint who protects the family. On the name day of the
Saint, the family gives a special reception with free food and wine for
everyone who may be there. This reception is called "panigiris".
The
island is almost dry and there are only very few springs on it. The
Santorinians, in order to cover their daily needs, use rainwater, which is
collected, in special cisterns during the winter. Every house has its own
cistern. In order to clean up the water they used to have leeches (vdeles)
in the cisterns, which absorbed viruses. Today they use chemicals.
Furthermore the island is supplied, especially during summer time, with
water by water-carrying ships.
Some
years ago, Santorini was a rather poor island. The earthquakes were a
catastrophe for the economy. Even food was a
problem. Today, the island is one of the
most famous tourist destinations in the
whole world, attracting thousands of
tourists every year...
more info for Santorini
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If you like me to assist you with your
holiday choice in the Cyclades Islands,
please
send me an e-mail with
your questions and enquiries. I will
be glad to reply and assist you, wherever I
possibly can. |
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If you like me to assist you with
your holiday choice in Santorini, please
send me an e-mail with your questions and enquiries. I will be glad to reply and
assist you, wherever I possibly can. |
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