Santorini island
The island complex of Thira, Thirasia, Aspronisi, Palaia Kameni and Nea Kameni is situated on the southern side of the major group of islands of Cyclades.
Over the centuries volcanic activity in the area formed the group’s present-day shape. Of these islands the largest one, Thira, is today known as Santorini, although the name is also referred to the whole complex in a broader sense.
Santorini’s biblical destruction -lost in the millennia- is responsible for its unparalleled natural beauty, thus justifying the second name Kallisti (‘the most beautiful one’) that the island was once known by. Twelve major eruptions gradually formed the Caldera, causing the central part of the original ‘round’ island to collapse within the deep sea.
Eventually two volcanic islets appeared in the centre of Caldera, first Palaia Kameni (Old Burnt one)and then Nea Kameni (New Burnt one). The collapse of the central part created the locally-called ‘gremna’ (cliffs), the dark steep walls of the Caldera with a height of 200-300 meters above sea level. By a boat trip across the dark blue waters of the Caldera, one can admire the different layers of volcanic ash and the streams of lava in the various rock formations, which can be distinguished by the alternation of colours from red to black.
On the fringe of the Caldera, the picturesque settlements of Fira, Imerovigli and Oia offer unique views across the volcano and the sunset. Carved out of the reddish rock the locals’ cave houses are overlooking the Aegean and the volcano, the yard of one being the roof of the other. Further inland the traditional Cycladic villages feature white-washed houses with domed or groin vaulted roofs, narrow streets and impressive Venetian mansions.
