The most particular and fascinating
of the Cycladic islands emerged from the ashes and flames
of a volcano, which came into being near the end of the
Pliocene era (about 5 million years ago) on the pre-volcanic
island (all in all, today's hill of Prophet Elias). After
several thousands of years of turbulence and eruptions,
the island of Stroggyli was created entirely by the accumulation
of volcanic lava. This island was inhabited at the beginning
of the Copper Age (c.2800-2500 B.C.) and, in time, its
residents built fine houses and managed to prosper by
trading goods with their neighbors in Minoan Crete and
the rest of continental Greece. The best sample of the
eminent civilization of the Copper Age in Santorini is
to be found at the prehistoric town on Acrotiri, which
was discovered by the distinguished archeologist Sp. Marinatos
in 1967. The buildings of the town used to be decorated
with exquisite mosaics (similar to those found in the
Minoan mansions in Crete), had many fasciliites, and the
impressive finds show that the inhabitants of prehistoric
Santorini had been well off and prosperous; and as it
turned out, they were able to sense danger very early,
so, when the earth started quaking c.1500 B.C., they swiftly
gathered their belongings and fled the island which was
headed for disaster.
That volcanic eruption
had been one of the greatest natural disasters in prehistoric
Mediteranean resulting into the sinking of half of the island
and creating the worlds greatest caldera (which means cauldron
in Spanish). Above the deep blue abyss of the sea (initially 800
m. deep, today only 400 m.) their remained today's Santorini,
Thirasia and Aspronisi. In the following years the eruption went
on (on a smaller scale though), forming Old and New Kameni (where
the craters of the legendary volcano are to be found today). Many
years after the disaster, the shattered island was inhabited by
Phoenician settlers, who were followed, near the end of the 12th
century B.C., by Lacedaemonian settlers. Their leader, Thiras,
gave his name to the island Lacedaemonians, being great warriors,
chose to build their colony on the especially fortified hill of
Prophet Elias on the site of Mesa Vouno. The excavations conducted
there by the German archaeologist H.V. Caertringen in 1895 brought
to light the town market, public buildings, the sanctuary of Karneios
Apollo, a theatre, cemeteries, sanctuaries of Egyptian deities,
bas-reliefs on rocks and numerous other ancient finds. From the
tenth century A.D. on, Thira thrived considerably, attracting
the interest of foreign investors, who occupied it in 1207 in
quite a chivalrous manner for they were Frank knights under the
leadership of the Duke of the Aegean, Marco Sanoudo. On their
arrival, the Frank conquerors saw the very picturesque country
church of St. Irini (probably in Thirasia or Perissa) and named
the island Santa Erini, from which resulted the now famous name
of the island, Santorini. For several years Santorini changed
hands among the Frank families of Sanoudo, Barochi, Crispi and
Pisani, until 1566 where it was finally passed on to the Turks,
after it had been ravaged by the terrible visitation of the notorious
pirate Hairedin Barbarosa. The Turks allotted many privileges
of the people of Santorini who managed to prosper and form one
of the most powerful fleets in the Aegean Sea. Santorini continued
thriving after the Turks withdrawal in 1830. In 1956 the volcano
erupted once more, causing a disastrous earthquake, which ravaged
almost the whole of the island and caused the departure of half
of its population.
Map of Cyclades Islands
Map of Santorini
Yet, the very source
of the islands past tribulations in its current cause of prosperity
and breathtaking growth, namely, the volcano itself. The eruption
and geological unrest of centuries, due to which the caldera was
created, formed one of the most sensational sceneries in Greece.
On the edge of the steep pit of the caldera, Fira, Firostefani,
Imerovigli and Ia settlements with a particularly well-preserved
Cycladic architecture are today among the most celebrated destinations
in the Mediteranian. Each day, thousands of visitors enjoy a very
special stroll in the scenic, all white narrow alleys, or stand
to admire the magical view of the deep blue waters of the caldera,
and of course none can help but marvel at the sunsets of Santorini,
probably the most famous sunsets in Greece (the most breathtaking
sunset is supposed to be the one viewed from the castle of Ia,
by the ruins of Goulas, the medieval castle, that is). In Fira,
it is worth seeing the Archaeological Museum, with many of the
finds from the excavations in ancient Thira on display, as well
as the new and stunning Museum of the prehistoric Thira, with
an excellent presentation of the finds in the ancient town in
Acrotiri. Also very interesting is the exhibition of charts, gravures
and folk artifacts in the beautiful Gizi mansion (built in 1700).
It is also worth seeing
monuments from the islands Frankish past such as the Dominican
Monastery, the Catholic Cathedral and, what's more, the medieval
ruins in Scaros (near Imerovigli), where the Franks had settled
on their first arrival.
Even though the visitors interest is monopolized by the settlements
built on the edge of the caldera, there are many interesting and
beautiful villages spread over the rest of the, rather more even
than the caldera, areas, among wide vineyards, tomato fields and
gardens. It is definitely worth taking a walk in Emporios with
its fine medieval castle and the 16th century church of Palia
Panagia, Vothonas with its many dug-in houses (the village houses
of Santorini that are hewed into the soft volcanic rock), Exo
Gonia with its very important Byzantine church of the Gonia Diocese,
built by the emperor Alexios Komninos the 1st in the 11th century,
Messaria with its old, fine mansions and early 20th century industrial
movements, Megalohori, which is located in the midst of the famous
vineyard of Santorini, and the scenic Pirgos with its many alleys
and old churches.
...
