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Home > Attività Isole > santorini > Santorini Island

Santorini Island

Santorini, the Island of Sunsets and Dreams
Santorini is a fascinating island that stands out among all the Cyclades for its unique beauty and breathtaking landscapes. It is often chosen as a romantic destination for honeymoons or important anniversaries, but it is not just for lovers. Its volcanic cliffs, picturesque villages perched on the hills, its very different colors, fiery sunsets and its atmosphere that only it can offer, make Santorini an unmissable destination for anyone who loves the charm of nature and ancient history.

A Territory Forged by the Volcano
Eighteen kilometers long and twelve wide, it is a predominantly arid, rocky island but on the other hand it offers breathtaking views. Once upon a time, Santorini or Thira as the Greeks call it had a circular shape, but one of the most devastating volcanic eruptions in history changed its geography forever. The explosion, which dates back to the 15th century BC, caused the center of the island to collapse and an explosion of magma emptied the gigantic basin under the island, causing the volcano to collapse, moving billions of cubic meters of water that, upon contact with the incandescent abyss, vaporized, unleashing a series of cyclopean explosions that destroyed the island and raised waves up to sixty meters high that crashed to the coasts of Crete and Egypt. This is how the famous Caldera was born, an enormous bay surrounded by steep cliffs. Today, visiting Santorini means admiring a territory forged by the power of the volcano, which offers breathtaking views and a truly unique atmosphere. A curiosity, did you know that the most exported product in Santorini is the earth to make concrete and that a large part of this earth was used to build the Suez Canal?

The Mythology of Santorini
According to Greek mythology, Santorini was created by Poseidon, the God of the Sea, as a punishment for men. There are many legends, including that it was actually the mythical Atlantis. There are many similarities with the ancient mysterious city, but to date there is still nothing concrete, both material and written, to establish the truth of the matter, the only thing recognized is that the Minoan civilization disappeared forever.

A Dive into History
Archaeological excavations reveal that it was already inhabited from the 4th millennium BC and that its civilization was very advanced compared to its time. Populated by the Minoans as demonstrated by the excavations of Akrotiri, it later became a Doric colony that settled in Santorini led by the leader Theras from which it took its name. They built ports, cities, temples as well as introducing the alphabet. Later it allied itself with Sparta and the Athenians, becoming an important naval base for the Ptolemies. During the Byzantine period it was Christianized, becoming a bishopric and from then on there was a continuous series of battles and exchanges of dominion, first with the Turks, then with the Genoese, and again with the Venetians until the arrival of the Ottoman Empire in 1579, which however left it complete autonomy and it was never colonized by the new usurpers and everything remained like that until finally the whole of Greece gained its independence in its entirety.

Dream Beaches
Santorini boasts some of the most unique beaches in the Aegean, with shores in unusual shades that reflect the island’s volcanic past. Red Beach, with its red rocks, is one of the most famous and evocative, while White Beach offers a completely different setting, with white cliffs framing the sea. If you love contrast, Black Beach with its black sand will surprise you. Each beach has its own character, and it is worth exploring them all to fully experience the essence of the island.

Food and Wine: A Journey of Flavors
Santorini is also a perfect destination for foodies. Here you can embark on an unforgettable food and wine journey, tasting the local wines produced from native vines that grow in the volcanic soil. Don’t miss the tastings in the various historic cellars where you can taste the precious nectars of the area. Among the typical dishes, Santorini tomatoes and white aubergines stand out, unique ingredients that make the local cuisine rich and tasty. Stop at one of the many taverns or gourmet restaurants to savor these delights.

Activities and things to do in Santorini
Santorini has a fascinating history, which can be experienced firsthand by visiting archaeological sites such as Akrotiri, an ancient Minoan city buried under volcanic ash. This site is one of the most important in the Cyclades and offers an incredible testimony to prehistoric life. Don’t forget to visit the ruins of Old Fira, where you can admire the remains of temples and ancient squares.

Don’t miss the villages that overlook the immense Caldera. Thira, the capital on the top of a cliff hanging above the Aegean, with its breathtaking view of the satellite islands. Beautiful, sophisticated with little restaurants where you can dine by candlelight in a fairytale setting and where every step is a memory.

Old Fira just above Kamari where you can find the old church of Agios Minas portrayed in all the postcards of Santorini and the most photographed on Instagram. Above the promontory of Kameni at 400 meters above sea level, the remains of this ancient city dating back to the 9th century BC with the terrace of the festivals where rites were celebrated in honor of the God Apollo, or its two agoras with the temple of Dionysus and the Sanctuary of Apollo Karneios.

Always for lovers of archaeology the site of Akrotiri will be a real catapult into the past. Considered together with the island of Delos one of the two most important sites in the Cyclades, it preserves the remains of a city very advanced compared to the period of its existence. A port city in the Bronze Age, it was destroyed and buried during the eruption of 1629. It came to light in 1860 by chance while volcanic rocks were being extracted for the construction of the Suez Canal and in 1967 almost a century later the excavations began again giving the internal world a remarkable testimony of the past.

Why Visit Santorini?
Santorini is a destination that offers much more than beaches and spectacular landscapes. It is an island where history, mythology, gastronomy and relaxation blend together in a perfect mix. Whether you are looking for a romantic retreat or a historical adventure, Santorini has something to offer everyone. Don’t miss its famous sunsets, which paint the sky with warm shades and create a magical atmosphere, perfect to end a day exploring the island.

It can also be good for families, but it is better if the children are already able to walk alone, it is all up and down and with a stroller it becomes really work. The seabed of its coasts is immediately deep, the waters do not slope gently for the simple reason that it is an island born from an underground volcano, think of an inverted funnel so with only water around that falls straight into the abyss.

Santorini together with Mykonos are the two most expensive islands from all points of view of the Aegean. Here you will find gourmet restaurants, elegant boutiques and facilities with top-level services that obviously have a price but in return will make you feel like a real VIP.

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