SANTORINI

Santorini is a small, circular group of islands located in the Aegean Sea. The name Santorini was given to it by the Venetians in the 13th century. Before that, it was called Kallisti. The island is of volcanic origin and was the site of a cataclysmic volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago after which the whole island was covered with caldera and ash deposits hundreds of feet deep. Some scientists believe that this eruption caused the collapse of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, 70 km to the south. This cataclysm and its possibility to have caused the fall of the Minoan Civilization is sometimes regarded as a likely source for Plato`s story of Atlantis. This event was, certainly, the one that could change human ideas of what the gods are capable of if provoked.
 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SANTORINI

The first control over the island of Santorini was established by Phoenicians; after them came Dorians. Thera, the main Hellenic city of the island was founded in the 9th century BC by Dorian colonists whose leader was Theras and continued to be inhabited until the early Byzantine period. According to Herodotus following a drought of seven years, Thera sent out colonists who founded a number of cities in northern Africa, including Cyrene. Santorini was ruled by the Romans, the Byzantines and the Franks. The island came under Ottoman rule in 1579. Santorini was annexed to Greece in 1912. 

A beach with gray sand

A beach with white sand

The island has no rivers and water is scarce. Until the early nineties, local people used to fill water tanks from the rain that fell on their roofs and courts, from small springs as well as by importing it from other areas of Greece. Nowadays, there is a desalination plant that provides running, yet nonpotable, water to most houses. The primary industry of Santorini is tourism. However, a small but flourishing wine industry is also present on Santorini and is based on the grape variety, Assyrtiko. Assyrtiko vines are extremely old and they are resistant to phylloxera. They are adapted to their native habitat by being planted far apart and their principal source of moisture is dew. They are trained in the shape of baskets, with the grapes hanging inside to protect them from the winds. 

A beach with black sand

The volcanic sand and breathtaking landscapes make the Greek island of Santorini most appreciated place for holidays. Famous for its windmills, baby-blue rooftops and stunning sunsets, Santorini can also boast with a dry climate and almost year-round sunshine. It is also the only place where you can find beaches with white, gray, red and  black sand, or even the beach with white and black sand together.

A beach with white and black sand

These are the reasons why this island is crowded with tourists from all over the world during the summer season. Santorini is one of the most expensive holiday destinations not only in Greece but also beyond. Its spectacular beauty along with the dynamic nightlife makes the island one of the main tourist spots in Europe.