Question: How Did Santorini Get Its Name?

Santorini was named by the Latin Empire in the thirteenth century, and is a reference to Saint Irene, from the name of the old cathedral in the village of Perissa – the name Santorini is a contraction of the name Santa Irini.

What does Santorini mean in Greek?

Santorini or classically Thira is essentially what remains after an enormous volcanic eruption that destroyed the earliest settlements on a formerly single island, and created the current geological Caldera. In Ancient times, Santorini Island was known as Stongili, which means round in Greek.

What is the real name of Santorini?

Nowadays, the official name of the island is Thera, but it is mainly known as Santorini which is how the Greeks refer to it, too.

Who is the God of Santorini?

According to Mythology, Santorini Island was initially created from a clod of earth thrown to the sea by Euphemus, son of Poseidon, who dreamed one night that he made love to a nymph, the daughter of Triton, also son of Poseidon and the Goddess of Beauty and Love Aphrodite.

Is Santorini in the Bible?

Santorini eruption & Biblical Connection. The Biblical connection with the volcanic eruption of Santorini: The Exodus section of the Old Testament is a much-revered text and is held in very high esteem not only by Christians but also by Islam and Judaism. The Exodus depicts the great escape of the Jews from Egypt.

Is Santorini an Italian name?

Santorini is among Greece’s most exclusive destinations. Yes, it has an Italian name, shortened from “Santa Irini” or Saint Irene. Although the nickname Santorini has stuck, the island is officially called Thera.

Why is Santorini white?

The white color reflects the biggest part of the dazzling light, preventing the houses from getting warm and that was a basic goal of the traditional architecture. Making the houses heat resistant, the summers are much more tolerable and pleasant.

Who lived Santorini?

According to history, Phoenicians settled on ancient Thera around 1,300 BC and stayed for five generations. Then, around 1100 BC, the island was occupied by the Lacedaemonian. Around 825 BC, the inhabitants of the island, then named Thera, were using the Phoenician alphabet.

When did Santorini become part of Greece?

In the Greek War of Independence the fleet of Santorini was very powerful. Santorini was finally annexed to Greece in 1912. Until the end of the 19th century Santorini had a flourishing shipping trade and the export of goods included cotton, textiles, agricultural products and, of course, its famed wine.

Is Santorini still active?

Although dormant, Santorini is an active volcano. Numerous minor and medium-sized, mainly effusive, eruptions have built the dark-colored lava shields of Nea and Palea Kameni inside the caldera. Their last eruption was in 1950, and now only fumarolic activity, primarily inside the recently active craters, takes place.

Who built Santorini?

In the 9th century BC, Dorians founded the main Hellenic city on Mesa Vouno, 396 m (1,299 ft) above sea level. This group later claimed that they had named the city and the island after their leader, Theras. Today, that city is referred to as Ancient Thera.

What did Santorini look like before the eruption?

According to Dr David Karaton who is an expert in Volcanology, “the topographic relief of Santorini before the Minoan eruption was characterized by a smaller port along with a central island, almost similar to today’s Kameni, according to many researchers. But the size and age of this island had remained unknown.

What myth was for Santorini?

According to Mythology, Santorini was created from a lump of earth that was thrown into the sea by Euphemus, Poseidon’s son. Euphemus had a dream one evening that he had made love to a nymph who was the daughter of Triton (the son of Poseidon and Aphrodite).

Is Santorini a supervolcano?

Santorini is a volcanic Island group at the central south end of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea (Greece). As a popular tourist destination in Greece, it is renowned for its spectacular sea-filled volcanic caldera sourrounded by steep colorful cliffs, the beauty of its villages and fields.

When did Santorini erupt?

The Greek island of Santorini (named Thera in ancient times) is located in the Aegean Sea and experienced a massive volcanic eruption some 3,600 y ago (∼1600 BCE).

Is Santorini on the green list?

As Santorini is not on that list, only essential travel such as for work is permitted under Foreign Office guidance, meaning you won’t be able to make a holiday booking to the island at this time. Check with your travel agent if you want to be sure.