SANTORINI
Earth born from the fury of nature; a tremendous catastrophe that left its mark on a historical period and formed one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet.
Santorini, the crown jewel of the Aegean, with its multi-coloured steep cliffs, the majestic caldera crowned with picturesque villages, famous sunsets and picturesque colourful pebble and sandy beaches, is one of the most popular destinations in the world, with crowds constantly seeking its magic even during the winter months.
Like a crescent floating on the southern tip of the Cyclades, Santorini, officially called Thira, is basically a small volcanic archipelago consisting of the island of Thirasia, the tiny island of Aspronisi, and the islets of Palia Kameni and Nea Kameni.
This archipelago is actually proof that, about 3600 years ago, Santorini was a much larger round island called Strongyle (round-shaped). The colossal eruption of 1653 BC which destroyed the Minoan civilization, caused the collapse of the centre of Strongyle, forming a giant crater immersed in the sea and steep cliffs which are the trademark of the island.
The shocking history of the island is reflected in its extraordinary relief, the enormous caldera from where the views of the Aegean Sea are breath-taking; the volcanic rocks that adorn almost all beaches and the unique archaeological findings of Akrotiri are also evidence of the island’s turbulent past.