Find Santorinitours.org at Emporio 847 03, call us on 694 457 7918 and book Santorini tours. Where is the most active volcano in Greece? What is the world originality of Thera architecture? What are three-storey buildings looking for in an ancient city and where is the Lost Atlantis finally hidden? The secrets of Santorini are revealed through 11 “useless”, but very interesting information about the most beautiful island in the Aegean – and maybe the whole world.
1. The active volcano is not that of the island of Kameni, where the guided tours take place
The active crater of the volcano is actually located at the bottom of the sea, and is called Columbus. Its recorded activity was in the middle of the 17th century, a period that the locals called “the time of evil”, as many died from the poisonous gases coming out of the volcano. The volcano of Santorini is one of the four most active in Greece – along with those of Methana, Nisyros and Milos.
2. The caldera of Santorini is the only inhabited in the world
It is one of the few places on Earth where cave houses and architectures are preserved on volcanic soil.
3. Where does the name of the island come from?
Thera owes its name to its mythical founder, Thira from Sparta, who arrived on the island in the 10th century BC. and founded the homonymous settlement in Mesa Vouno. The name “Santorini” is due to the Venetians, who arrived here in the 12th century AD. and they named the island Santa Irina, because of the church of Agia Irini that probably existed either in Thirasia you are in Perissa.
4. After all, is it Thira or Santorini?
In ancient times, there was a large round island, the Round, formed by lava when the volcano erupted in the 12th century BC. With the eruption of the volcano, the center of the island sank and the Caldera formed, with the fragmented islands around it. These islands are Thira, Thirasia, Aspronisi, Palia and Nea Kameni and together they make up what we call Santorini.
5. The main exportable product of the island is the soil
Every year, about 2 million tons of soil are exported, mainly for the construction of construction materials. The Suez Canal, for example, was built on Santorini soil.
6. The most famous seaside resort of the island was born by an earthquake
In 1956 a strong earthquake destroyed settlements on the island and the famous Kamari, where most beach bars are now housed, was created to house earthquake victims.
7. Here is one of the most modern ancient cities
At the archeological site of Akrotiri, the archeological dig has brought to light an ancient city that was abandoned when the volcano erupted. The three-storey buildings, which even had running water, can still be seen almost intact.
8. Santorini is evolving into a top wine tourism destination
It has 12 visitable vineyards, 14,000 acres of fertile volcanic soil on its east side, and perhaps the best Assyrtiko in the Mediterranean.
9. Santorini is the island of pumice
In the past, the main source of wealth of the island was the pumice mines, which, however, were abandoned over time because they gradually destroyed the island.
10. In the port you will see a sea section surrounded by buoys
It is the place where the cruise ship Sea Diamond crashed in 2007 and sank. Its trunk is still hanging from a rock in the sea, while the area is protected to prevent further contamination of the seabed. Even today, two people are missing from the ship’s passengers.
11. Recent investigations have been conducted to determine if the island is associated with the Lost Atlantis
Santorini is one of the 200 places on the planet, which various theories associate with the mythical Lost Atlantis. In the 60’s, an oceanographic ship was used and two morphological sections of the seabed were recorded in the Caldera, finding that in the line Thira-Nea Kameni-Thirasia there is a tectonic moat. In 2003, the National Center for Marine Research conducted surveys in western Santorini. The results showed that even if there is historical truth in the Santorini-Atlantis correlation, it is difficult to find evidence at the bottom due to the large thickness of the volcanic alluvium in the island.
More about Santorini tours:
- The amazing stairs of Santorini
- 10 must-do activities for Santorini lovers
- Santorini Impressive Caldera Private Tour
- Santorini North Part Private Tour
- Santorini South Part Private Tour
- Santorini Exclusive Shore Private Tour
- Santorini Sunset Private Tour
- Santorini tours daily tours