Santorini is the name of a Greek island formed by the force of an enormous volcano which erupted so fiercely that its top collapsed and an 8km (5mi) wide bay was formed from it’s sunken crater.
The name of the island was derived from the Santa Irina – the patron saint of the island. There is a popular theory that Santorini is what remains of the Plato’s lost kingdom of Atlantis, even if it doesn’t match its exact geographical location.
The first view of the cliffs, formed of multi-colored rock that rise up almost 350m (1150ft) from the see, is absolutely amazing.
The soil is very fertile due to its volcanic nature, and Santorini is very known for its grapes. The vines are unusually grown low to the ground, to protect them from the strong winds, and the white wine produced here is among the best in Greece.
The south-western part of the island is still hiding the remnants of the Bronze Age city of Akrotiri which is being excavated from the volcanic ashes and is in the state of preservation similar to that of Pompeii in Italy. Some of the finest frescoes of the ancient world are seeing the light of the day again.
HOW TO GET THERE
Travel by ship or plane from Athens – Greece. The island of Santorini is located in the Cyclades – a group of islands south-east of the Greek mainland.
WHAT TO SEE
The excavations of Akrotiri, The traditional village of Oia, The prehistoric Thera Museum.
ALSO KNOWN AS
The classical name of the island was Thera. Santorini was derived from the name of the patron saint – Santa Irina.
