Santorini

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Santorini ,officially Thira,is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece’s mainland. The precious gem of the Aegean, is actually a group of islands consisting of Thira, Thirassia, Aspronissi, Palea and Nea Kameni in the southernmost part of Cyclades.

The whole complex of Santorini islands is still an active volcano (the same as Methana, Milos and Nisiros) and probably the only volcano in the world whose crater is in the sea!!

The islands that form Santorini came into existence as a result of intensive volcanic activity.

Twelve huge eruptions occurred, one every 20,000 years approximately, and each violent eruption caused the collapse of the volcano’s central part creating a large crater (caldera). The volcano, however, managed to recreate itself over and over again.

Another popular theory holds that the Thira eruption is the source of the legend of Atlantis. It is the most active volcanic centre in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, though what remains today is chiefly a water-filled caldera.

Santorini is considered to be the most romantic place in the world ,where you can enjoy exquisitely clear waters while perched on the rim of a massive active volcano in the middle of the sea! The island has a growing reputation as a “wedding destination” for couples not only from Greece but from all over the world. A trip to Santorini with your other half is a dream for anyone. Santorini is famous for the perfect sunset !!

Santorini Island Sightseeing

Santorini Museums & Churches

Museums

Archaeological Museum
While many outstanding archaeological finds from Santorini will be found at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, the Historical and Cultural Archaeological Museum of Santorini in Fira contains artifacts from excavations on the island .

It was built in 1960 by the Ministry of Public Works in order to replace the old museum (built in 1902), that had collapsed during the earthquake of 1956.

Noteworthy are a fine collection of geometric red and black vases from the fifth century BC Inscriptions are plentiful among the displays in the museum and a certain amount of Minoan ware is also on exhibit.

Museum of Prehistoric Thira

The Museum of Prehistoric Thira houses finds from the excavations at Akrotiri, rescue excavations at various other sites on the island, which were carried out by the 21st Ephorate of Antiquities for the Cyclades and Samos.

Also on display are other objects discovered fortuitously or handed over .

Wall Painting Exhibition in 4 Parts
The exhibition is structured in four units, referring to the history of research at Thira, the geology of Thira, the island’s history from the Late Neolithic to the Late Cycladic I period (early 17th century BC) and the heyday of the city at Akrotiri (mature Late Cycladic 1 period, 17th century BC). In the last unit, various aspects are presented, such as the plan and architecture of the city.

The exhibits include fossils of plants that flourished before the human habitation of Thira as well as archeological objects.

The History of the Mansion
Argyros Mansion is an elegant Neoclassical house, located in Messaria, a village famous for its architecture. This mansion was constructed in 1888 by Georgios Argyros, a landowner, and wine merchant. Today, it has been renovated and works as a museum.

It combines the traditional architecture of Santorini with elements and influences of eclecticism.It hosts wall paintings, traditional furniture, and other artistic objects. The ground floor serves as a five star hostel while there are guided tours for the public on the upper floor.

Churches

The churches of Santorini, show a Western influence in their relatively large size. The volcano’s eruptions and the catastrophic earthquakes that shattered the island from time to time strengthened the religious fervour of the locals, which intensified when they were confronted with Catholicism during the Frankish occupation.

Before the 1956 earthquake, the island boasted some 260 churches. Most of those that have survived are of the one-aisled basilica type with dome, while others are cruciform in shape with dome.The dome, which may be white, as in most churches, or blue.
Some of them are :

• Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral
• Church of Panagia Episkopi
• Agios Nikolaos Monastery
• Catholic Cathedral