Santorini, a beautiful island in Greece, holds many interesting facts ranging from the history of ancient civilization, the beauty of its beaches, to the uniqueness of its traditions and culture, which makes it a very attractive tourist destination.
Santorini, an island located in the Cyclades archipelago, Greece, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Its stunning natural beauty, rich history and unique culture make this island a place full of charm.
Behind its beauty, there are many interesting facts that you may not know. From the history of ancient civilizations to incredible geological phenomena, here are 10 interesting facts about Santorini that you must know before visiting there.
1. Ancient Minoan Civilization
Santorini was once home to the Minoan civilization that flourished around 3,500 years ago. This civilization is known as one of the most advanced civilizations of its time.
At the archaeological site of Akrotiri, you can find remarkably well-preserved ruins, including buildings made mostly of stone and decorated with frescoes depicting everyday life at that time.
These ruins provide a very clear picture of how Minoan society lived and thrived in ancient times.
2. Santorini Has Several Names
Although many people know Santorini as the name of this beautiful island, the official name of the island is actually Thira.
The name Santorini was given by foreigners in the Middle Ages, inspired by the chapel built in honor of St. Irene. In addition, Santorini is also known as Kallisti which means “the most beautiful”.
These names reflect the charm of this island that attracts many people from various parts of the world.
3. Formed from a volcanic eruption
Santorini’s extraordinary beauty stems from a volcanic eruption that occurred around 3,600 years ago. This massive eruption was one of the largest in Earth’s history and changed the shape of the island.
Santorini used to be a single island, but after the volcanic eruption, the island broke into several parts and formed the caldera that we see today. This eruption is also believed to be the cause of the disappearance of the Minoan civilization, which existed on the island at that time.
4. The Alluring White Building
One of the characteristics of Santorini is the white buildings with the very iconic blue domes. Almost all the houses, churches and other buildings on the island are painted bright white, while the church domes and some windows and doors are painted blue.
This combination of white and blue creates a very stunning view, especially when the sun sets. According to local beliefs, the color blue is used to ward off evil, as blue eyes were considered a symbol of evil in the past.
5. Santorini, Famous Wine Producer
Despite Santorini’s arid climate and volcanic soil, the island is renowned for its excellent wine production. Santorini grapes, particularly the Assyrtiko variety, are renowned for their distinctive, fresh flavours.
One of the unique growing techniques used on the island is ‘kouloura’, where the grapes are planted in a low circle that acts as protection from strong winds and the heat of the sun. This allows the grapes to thrive despite the harsh soil conditions.
6. Three Types of Unique Beaches
Santorini has some very unique beaches, which were formed from volcanic eruptions that occurred thousands of years ago.
This island has white sand beaches, red sand, and very striking black rocks. These beaches have crystal clear blue sea water, creating a stunning view.
The black sand beach in the southern part of the island is the main attraction for tourists who want to enjoy the natural beauty and experience the unique geology of this island.
7. Called Atlantis Island
Many people believe that Santorini is the lost island of Atlantis, made famous in the records of the Ancient Greek philosopher, Plato.
Although there is no evidence to support this claim, the geological similarities between Santorini and the description of the lost Atlantis in Plato’s writings have attracted much speculation.
With a massive volcanic eruption destroying most of the island, many people believe that Santorini is the lost Atlantis.
8. More Church than Home
Another unique thing about Santorini is the number of churches on the island. Santorini has more churches than houses.
Although these churches are generally small in size, they are very distinctive with their elegant traditional Greek architecture.
Many churches in Santorini have blue domes which are a symbol of the island. These churches are usually used by small families, and many of them are located in very beautiful areas, offering stunning sea views.
9. Unique Pets in Santorini
Santorini has a rather unique custom when it comes to pets. While most people around the world keep cats, dogs or rabbits, Santorinians are more likely to keep donkeys.
Donkeys in Santorini are used as a means of transportation to carry goods and people on the steep and narrow streets. Additionally, donkeys are also part of the tourist experience on the island, as tourists can often use donkeys to get around or even climb Santorini’s steep hills.
10. No Natural Fresh Water Sources
Due to Santorini’s volcanic geology, the island has no natural freshwater sources. This has meant that Santorini’s water supply has been extremely limited in the past.
In the past, water on the island could only be obtained from water tanks, but now the island relies on desalination plants to convert seawater into fresh water for use by residents and tourists.
Due to water scarcity, agricultural practices such as growing grapes have also been carefully adapted to thrive despite limited land.
Santorini is a very interesting tourist destination, not only because of its natural beauty, but also because of its very unique history, culture and geology.
The island offers stunning views, beautiful beaches, iconic white buildings and captivating legends.
Santorini is not just a place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty, but also a place full of interesting stories that have existed for thousands of years.
If you are planning a vacation to Burano, make sure you explore all the interesting sides it has to offer, from its ancient history to its unique culture.