Islands of Greece

Santorini

Santorini:

Formerly known as Thera, the Greek island of Santorini is the largest island in the Santorini archipelago, which was formed from a volcanic Caldera. The image of the caldera from above gives its centre an almost gravitational pull that the surrounding archipelago orbits. The island itself was also the site of the Minoan eruption 3600 years ago. The Minoan eruption was of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. The size of the eruption and the destruction it caused is often thought to be where the legend of Atlantis originated.

Today, Santorini is a place of traditional architecture, uniquely coloured by volcanic ash alongside extensions built into pumice. The volcanic surroundings of Santorini have given rise to the island’s unique white eggplants and the rest of its lush greenery. After attacks by pirates in the 15th through to the 16th century, Santorini was fortified with castles, towers and watchtowers. Around half of this architecture was destroyed in the earthquake of 1956, leaving the island itself with a visible mark despite efforts to hide the damage in the town.

Santorini is a beautiful island. Its volcanic origins and rich history shaped by natural disasters over the millennia make it a place unlike any other even within Greece.