Through centuries Santorini has had many names: Strogili (round) because of the round shape before the volcano eruption; Kallisti, meaning “the most beautiful”; Thira, still maintained until today, after King of the Spartan settlers; Kalavria, because many people of Santorini came from the area of Kalavria in Southern Italy. Other names are Karitsi, Filoreta, Tefsia, Thirameni, Renia and of course Santorini, the name attribute by the Venetians from the church of Agia Irini (Santa Irina). The island was named Thirasia after the daughter of King Theras.
Culture
Akrotiri
Around 1650 B.C. inhabitants of Santorini created a coastal city of 30,000 people, multi-store public buildings, earthquake-proof houses, sewage system, caved stones, wall paintings etc. Special animal breeding areas were located outside the residential settlement. Textile artisans, black smiths, metallurgists, stonecutters, shipbuilders, potters ans basketweavers made products that sailors transported to all Eastern Mediterranean coast. It was 1614 B.C. that a tremendous eruption occurred, burying the city under volcanic material. The first excavations began in 1967 by Spyros Marinatos and are continued by Pr. Christos Doumas. It is estimated that only 3% of the settlement has come to light.
Ancient Thera
Once Akrotiri was destroyed Thera remained uninhabited until the 8th century B.C. Then Dorian colonists from Sparta arrived. Their leader was Theras. The city was built on the western slope of the mountain called Mesa Vouno and remained without walls due to its fortified position. It was connected by a road with its two ports, Oia (Kamari today) and Elefsis (Perissa today). After the 4th century B.C. the city developed under the influence of the Ptolemies, Greek monarchs of Egypt. Later it was occupied by the Romans. The city deteriorated after the 3rd century A.D. and was abandoned after the 9th century.
Museums and churches
In Fira you will find the most remarkable museums of the island. Do not miss the particularly important Museum of Prehistoric Thira with the original frescoes of Akrotiri. Visit Gyzi Manor to get an idea of the modern history of Santorini and go down to Kontohori and the folklore museum of E. Lignos to see scenes of traditional and authentic life in Santorini of the last century.
In Fira there are also some important churches, such as the churches of Agios Minas, of Christ and Agios Stylianos. It is also worth visiting the Catholic Monastery for its history and architecture. one of the most important churches of the island is located in the casteli of Emporelo. It is the church of Panagia Mesani, built in the 16th century, distinguishing for its pebbled courtyard, important wood- carved icon screen and impressive bell tower. In Oia you can find approximately 70 churches. In Imerovigli you may find one if the most historical monasteries of Santorini, the Monastery of Agios Nicolas.
9 History Instants
- 3rd millennium D.C.: The important settlement of Akrotiri starts to develop.
- 17th century: The volcano erupts in 1614, changing even the shape of the island. Aktotiri is completely covered by lava.
- 13th – 18th century: The island is re-inhabited by the Phoenicians and Lacedaemonians, who named the island Thira after their king.
- 11th century A.D.: The church of Episkopi Gonia is built, which gets christianized in the 4th century.
- 1204: The island is surrendered to the Venetians and Marco Sanudo.
- 1579 – 1821: During the Ottoman Occupation, the people of Santorini develop great commercial activity and export products in Russia.
- 1830: The island gets integrated to the newly established Greek State.
- 1956: The big earthquake destroys a big part of the island.
- 1970: Santorini starts gradually being discovered again by travelers arriving here from all over the world.
