Santorini, an island in the southern Aegean Sea, is one of Greece’s most breathtaking destinations. Officially known as Thira, this volcanic island is the largest in a small archipelago that was shaped by one of the most powerful eruptions in recorded history. Positioned about 200 kilometers southeast of mainland Greece, Santorini is the southernmost member of the Cyclades island group, covering an area of roughly 73 square kilometers and home to a population of just over 15,000 residents.
Beyond its main island, the municipality of Santorini also includes Therasia, as well as the uninhabited islets of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, Anydros, and Christiana. Together, they form a striking landscape dominated by the island’s famous caldera, a vast, water-filled volcanic crater surrounded by steep cliffs.
A Land Formed by Fire
However, the most famous event in Santorini’s geological history took place around 3,600 years ago. The Minoan eruption—one of the largest volcanic eruptions ever recorded—devastated the island, leaving behind the massive caldera and covering the land in layers of volcanic ash. Some theories suggest that this catastrophic event may have inspired the legend of Atlantis, as the eruption triggered tsunamis that likely impacted civilizations across the Aegean.
Santorini sits at the heart of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, a region stretching over 500 kilometers. This area has been shaped by volcanic activity for millions of years, with the earliest eruptions occurring approximately 3 to 4 million years ago. The island itself saw volcanic activity beginning around 2 million years ago, gradually shaping the dramatic cliffs and rugged terrain seen today.
The Name and Its Origins
Santorini’s name dates back to the 13th century when the Latin Empire ruled the region. It was named after Saint Irene (Santa Irini), after a church dedicated to her in the village of Perissa. Before this, the island was known by several names, including Kallístē, meaning “the most beautiful one,” and Strongýlē, meaning “the circular one.” The ancient name Thera originates from Theras, a Spartan leader who colonized the island in antiquity. While Thera remains the island’s official name in modern Greece, Santorini is still the more commonly used name worldwide.
Traces of an Ancient Civilization
Springtime landscape in a Fresco from the Bronze Age, Akrotiri
The “saffron-gatherers
One of Santorini’s most significant archaeological sites is Akrotiri, an ancient Minoan settlement that was remarkably preserved beneath volcanic ash following the eruption. First excavated in 1967, Akrotiri revealed a well-developed city with multi-story buildings, paved streets, and an advanced drainage system—features that indicate a highly sophisticated society.
The settlement’s impressive structures, some standing up to eight meters tall, contained beautifully preserved frescoes depicting scenes of daily life, nature, and trade. Among the most notable artworks are depictions of antelopes, dolphins, and saffron gatherers offering their harvest to a seated figure, possibly a deity. These paintings suggest a culture deeply connected to both nature and the wider Mediterranean world.
Unlike the grand palaces found in Minoan Crete, Akrotiri appears to have been a thriving trade hub rather than a political center. Artifacts recovered from the site indicate connections with Crete, Anatolia, Cyprus, Syria, and Egypt. This suggests that Santorini was an important commercial link in the ancient world before its destruction.
The site has often been compared to Pompeii due to the way the ash preserved buildings and artifacts. However, unlike Pompeii, no human remains have been found in Akrotiri, leading scholars to believe that residents may have had advance warning of the eruption and evacuated in time.
An Island with a Fascinating Past
The Minoan eruption plays a crucial role in dating events from the second millennium BC. Archaeologists have traditionally estimated the eruption took place around 1500 BC based on cultural artifacts found across the Aegean. However, radiocarbon dating suggests an earlier timeline, between 1645 and 1600 BC, supported by tree-ring analysis pointing to 1628 BC. This ongoing debate continues to shape our understanding of Bronze Age civilizations and their interactions.
A Timeless Destination
Santorini’s history is woven into its stunning landscapes, from the towering cliffs of the caldera to the picturesque whitewashed villages that now sit atop its volcanic rock. Today, the island continues to captivate visitors with its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and intriguing past. Whether exploring ancient ruins, watching the sun set over the caldera, or simply strolling through its charming towns, Santorini remains one of the most unforgettable destinations in the world.v
Santorini in Antiquity: A Story of Myth and Civilization
After the massive volcanic eruption that reshaped the island, Santorini remained uninhabited for a significant period. It was only later, during the Greek expansion, that new settlers arrived, leaving their mark on the island’s history.
The Early Settlers and the Name’s Origins
During the Late Bronze Age, Santorini—then known as Thera—was influenced by surrounding civilizations, including the powerful Minoans of Crete. Archaeological evidence from Knossos, the center of Minoan culture, suggests possible connections to Santorini through ancient Linear B inscriptions. These texts mention an enigmatic figure called qe-ra-si-ja, which some scholars believe may have been linked to the name “Thera” in later Greek.
Following the collapse of Bronze Age civilizations, the Phoenicians were among the first to establish a settlement on Thera. According to the ancient historian Herodotus, they called the island Callista and lived there for eight generations. Later, in the 9th century BC, a group of Dorian Greeks arrived and founded a new city on the slopes of Mesa Vouno, a towering 396-meter (1,299-foot) peak overlooking the Aegean. These settlers claimed that their leader, Theras, had given the island its name—a name that would endure for centuries.
A Mythological Connection to the Gods
Greek mythology also offers a captivating explanation for the island’s origins. In Argonautica, a 3rd-century BC epic by Apollonius Rhodius, Thera’s creation is linked to the legendary Argonauts. According to the tale, the sea god Triton gifted a clod of earth to the Argonaut Euphemus, son of Poseidon. Euphemus carried the sacred soil next to his heart, and in a dream, it transformed into a beautiful woman named Calliste, who declared that if he cast the clod into the sea, it would grow into an island for his descendants. This poetic origin story intertwines Thera’s identity with the divine, reinforcing its mystical allure.
Dorian Influence and Historical Significance
The Dorians left a lasting impact on the island, particularly in the ancient city of Thera, whose ruins can still be explored today. Among the fascinating remnants of this civilization are stone inscriptions found near the temple of Apollo. These writings, discovered by archaeologist Friedrich Hiller von Gaertringen, detail relationships between mentors and their young male students (eromenoi), a practice common in many Greek city-states. Some scholars believe these inscriptions had a ritualistic or celebratory significance due to their precise craftsmanship.
Thera played an active role in Greek history, particularly during the expansion of Dorian culture. When the island suffered a prolonged drought, its inhabitants sought opportunities elsewhere. According to Herodotus, colonists from Thera were instrumental in founding Cyrene, a major Greek settlement in North Africa.
During the Peloponnesian War in the 5th century BC, Thera, like many Dorian city-states, aligned itself with Sparta against Athens. While the Athenians briefly seized control of the island, they lost it again following their defeat at the Battle of Aegospotami. Later, during the Hellenistic era, Santorini became a strategic naval base for Ptolemaic Egypt, further cementing its importance in Mediterranean history.
A Legacy Carved in Stone
From its earliest settlers to its role in Greek expansion, Santorini’s ancient history is a blend of myth, migration, and power struggles. Today, the remnants of Ancient Thera offer a glimpse into the island’s storied past, where the echoes of its legendary origins still resonate among its windswept ruins.
Byzantine and Medieval Rule
Like much of Greece, Santorini fell under Roman control before becoming part of the Eastern Roman Empire—later known as the Byzantine Empire—after the empire’s division. The island remained under Byzantine rule for centuries, enduring natural disasters, including a major volcanic eruption in 727 AD. According to the historian George Cedrenus, this eruption sent fire and steam into the sky, hardening into stone over time. The event was widely interpreted as a divine warning, and it helped justify Emperor Leo III’s controversial policy of Iconoclasm, which banned religious icons.
The name “Santorini” first appears around 1153–1154 in the writings of the Muslim geographer al-Idrisi, who referred to the island as “Santurin,” derived from its patron saint, Saint Irene of Thessalonica.
Crusader and Venetian Rule
After the Fourth Crusade (1204), Santorini was absorbed into the Duchy of Naxos, a Venetian-controlled territory in the Aegean. Control over the island shifted multiple times between Venetian noble families and the Byzantines. By the early 14th century, it had become a possession of the powerful Venetian Barozzi family, who ruled until Niccolò Sanudo annexed the island around 1335.
During this period, Turkish raiders from Menteshe and Aydın attacked Santorini, but the island largely escaped severe destruction. Under Venetian rule, a significant Catholic community developed, which remains present on the island today.
Ottoman Conquest and Rule
Venetian control over Santorini was gradually recognized by the Ottoman Empire, but this did not prevent frequent Ottoman pirate raids. In 1576, Ottoman admiral Piyale Pasha captured the island, formally incorporating it into the empire. However, Santorini enjoyed a degree of autonomy, becoming part of the domain of Joseph Nasi, a Jewish noble and influential figure in the Ottoman court.
Despite Ottoman rule, Santorini suffered repeated Venetian attacks during the numerous Ottoman-Venetian wars of the 17th century, even though the island had no Muslim population.
During the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774), Santorini was briefly occupied by Russian forces under Alexey Orlov, but it was soon returned to Ottoman rule.
Santorini in the 19th Century and the Greek War of Independence
Economic and Social Life
By the early 19th century, Santorini had become a significant player in the Aegean’s maritime economy. In 1810, the island owned 32 ships, ranking seventh among Greek naval powers. Its economy was driven by agriculture and seafaring, with islanders exporting local products. Education was improving, particularly through the influence of the Monastery of Profitis Ilias, one of the most important religious and educational centers in the Cyclades.
The Greek War of Independence (1821–1830)
As the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule began in 1821, Santorini found itself caught between revolution and caution. The revolutionary group Filiki Eteria sent representatives, including Dimitrios Themelis and Evangelis Matzarakis, to rally support on the island. However, the population was divided—many Orthodox Christians supported the revolt, while Catholics and more conservative islanders remained hesitant, fearing Ottoman reprisals.
Though the island did not immediately declare full support for the uprising, it sent supplies to the Greek revolutionary fleet, including 100 barrels of wine, 71 sailors, a priest, and a presbyter to serve with the Spetsiote fleet.
On May 5, 1821, the feast day of Santorini’s patron saint, rebels raised the Greek revolutionary flag and expelled Ottoman officials. However, the island soon faced internal strife—Governor Matzarakis struggled to unify the population, imposing heavy taxes to fund the war effort. Many Santorinians, who had previously enjoyed autonomy under Ottoman rule, resisted these new obligations.
Tensions escalated when Orthodox Metropolitan Bishop Zacharias Kyriakos, initially a supporter of independence, turned against Matzarakis due to his harsh policies. Matzarakis accused him of being a “Turkophile” and had him arrested and exiled, leading to outrage among the local clergy and community.
Faced with increasing opposition, Matzarakis had to hire bodyguards as protests against him intensified. Eventually, he fled the island, and the Greek revolutionary leadership dismissed him from his position.
Meanwhile, fear of Ottoman retaliation grew. The islanders, particularly after hearing about the massacre of Greeks in Chios in 1822, became deeply divided—some villages even offered to surrender to the Ottomans. At the same time, 16 monks from the Monastery of Profitis Ilias made a written declaration in support of the revolution.
July 1822
In July 1822, representatives of the Greek Provisional Government arrived to restore order but were met with hostility. One of them, Konstantinos Metaxas, was even arrested by Santorinian leaders, who considered handing him over to the Ottomans to prove their loyalty. He was eventually rescued by his Ionian guards.
Political violence escalated in October 1822, when Antonios Barbarigos, a member of Greece’s First National Assembly, was stabbed in the head during a local dispute. By 1823, the Second National Assembly imposed heavy taxes on Santorini to support the war effort. These new financial burdens led to further dissent and resistance among the islanders.
Despite these conflicts, Santorini remained part of the newly independent Greece when the revolution succeeded in 1830. However, the island’s internal divisions and struggles with taxation highlighted the challenges of transitioning from Ottoman rule to Greek governance.
Following the Greek War of Independence, Santorini was formally recognized as one of 15 provinces in the Greek-controlled Aegean under Decree 573, issued by the National Assembly on 17 May 1823. Of these, nine provinces were in the Cyclades and six in the Sporades.
The island officially became part of the fledgling Greek state through the London Protocol of 3 February 1830. However, tensions between the central government and regional leaders continued. In 1831, Santorini rebelled against the administration of Ioannis Kapodistrias, Greece’s first head of state. The situation remained unstable until the Treaty of Constantinople (1832), which definitively secured Santorini as part of the newly independent Kingdom of Greece.
Three decades after Greece’s independence, Santorini once again found itself embroiled in national upheaval. On 1 February 1862, an insurrection broke out in Nafplio against the rule of King Otto of Greece. Santorini joined the rebellion, along with other parts of the country. However, royal authorities swiftly suppressed the uprising by 20 March 1862.
Later that year, tensions flared up again, culminating in the 23 October 1862 Revolution, which ultimately led to the overthrow of King Otto and the end of his reign.
Santorini in World War II and the Post-War Era
Fira Skala Old Port in 1919
World War II (1941–1944)
German soldiers on Santorini in 1944 during WW2
During World War II, Santorini was occupied by Italian forces in 1941. After the Italian armistice in 1943, the Germans took control of the island. In 1944, British Special Boat Service (SBS) Commandos raided the German garrison, killing most of the occupying troops. In retaliation, the Germans executed five locals, including the mayor.
Post-War Decline and Economic Recovery
After the war, Santorini’s economy declined, as many of its factories closed, and industrial activity shifted to Athens. In response, the Union of Santorini Cooperatives was established in 1947 to promote and export the island’s agricultural products, particularly its famous wine.
In 1952, the island’s only remaining tomato processing factory was built near Monolithos, providing some economic stability.
During the early 1950s, tourism was limited to a small number of wealthy visitors on yacht cruises. A notable visitor was actress Olivia de Havilland, who toured the island in September 1955, hosted by Petros Nomikos.
Recognizing the potential for tourism, shipping magnate Evangelos P. Nomikos and his wife Loula decided to fund a major project for the island. They asked residents whether they preferred a hospital or a hotel—the locals chose a hotel. As a result, in 1952, the Hotel Atlantis was commissioned, designed by architect Venetsanos, and became the most glamorous hotel in the Cyclades at the time.
By 1954, Santorini had approximately 12,000 inhabitants, very few visitors, and only one jeep, a small bus, and traditional donkeys and mules for transport.
The 1956 Amorgos Earthquake
At 05:11 local time (CEST, 03:11 UTC) on 9 July 1956, a massive earthquake (variously estimated between 7.5 and 7.8 magnitude) struck 30 km south of Amorgos, about 50 km from Santorini. It was the strongest earthquake in 20th-century Greece and caused widespread destruction.
A powerful aftershock (magnitude 7.2) hit 13 minutes later at 05:24, centered near Anafi, causing further devastation. The quake also triggered a tsunami, estimated at 3 meters in Perissa and 2 meters in Vlichada.
Impact on Santorini
- Casualties: 53 dead, 100 injured
- Destroyed homes: 529
- Severely damaged homes: 1,482
- Lightly damaged homes: 1,750
- Public buildings: Almost all completely destroyed
- Most affected areas: The western edge of the caldera, particularly Oia, where parts of the ground collapsed into the sea
The newly built Hotel Atlantis survived intact and was used as a temporary hospital and government headquarters.
Relief Efforts
Greek Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis declared Santorini a disaster zone and visited the island on 14 July 1956. Greece declined British assistance, as UK warships were engaged in the Cyprus Emergency. Instead, the Greek military carried out air-drops of food, tents, and supplies, while emergency camps were set up on the outskirts of Fira.
Due to the devastation and economic hardship, many residents emigrated, mostly to Athens, leading to a further population decline.
Location of shocks of M>4 for the 2025 Santorini earthquakes
Santorini: 2025 Earthquake Swarm and Tourism Developments
2025 Earthquake Swarm
In early February 2025, Santorini experienced a major earthquake swarm, with over 20,000 tremors recorded in the Aegean Sea near the island. Some of the quakes reached up to magnitude 5.3, and seismic activity is expected to persist for months. As a precaution, Greek authorities evacuated much of the island’s population by air and sea.
Seismic Activity and Concerns
During the weekend of 1–2 February, over 200 undersea tremors were detected, primarily in a growing cluster between the islands of Santorini, Anafi, Amorgos, Ios, and the uninhabited islet of Anydros. Many earthquakes exceeded magnitude 4.5, and the strongest event, a magnitude 5.3 quake, struck on 10 February.
Although experts determined the quakes were tectonic rather than volcanic, the pattern and frequency raised serious concerns. Seismologist Manolis Skordylis warned that a seismic fault line had been activated, with the potential to trigger a magnitude 6.0+ earthquake. Scientists cautioned that the main event may not have occurred yet.
Government Response and Emergency Measures
The Greek government implemented several emergency measures, including:
- Deployment of emergency crews and a 26-member rescue team with a rescue dog
- Closure of schools in Santorini, Anafi, Amorgos, and Ios
- Restricted access to cliffs and shorelines due to landslide and tsunami risks
- Evacuation gathering points established in Fira
- Restricted access to ports, including Santorini’s old port
Greek Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vasilis Kikilias stressed the precautionary nature of the response, while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking from Brussels, urged calm despite the intensity of the swarm.
As part of preventive measures, hotels were instructed to drain swimming pools to minimize structural damage. Aegean Airlines doubled flights between Athens and Santorini, while ferry companies increased services, leading to long queues at evacuation ports.
Evacuations and State of Emergency
- 6,000 residents evacuated by ferry beginning on 2 February
- 2,700 residents evacuated by air from 3–4 February
- South Aegean Regional Fire Department placed on high alert
- Greek government declared a state of emergency on 6 February
Meanwhile, in Turkey, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and the Mineral Research and Exploration General Directorate (MTA) warned that the earthquakes could trigger volcanic activity around the Kolumbo submarine volcano off Santorini.
Tourism and Economic Growth
Despite seismic concerns, Santorini remains one of the world’s top travel destinations. The growth of tourism has boosted both the economy and population, with the island emphasizing sustainable development and specialized tourism.
Global Recognition
Santorini has been ranked the world’s top island by multiple travel platforms, including:
- Travel + Leisure Magazine
- BBC
- US News
The island receives an estimated 2 million tourists annually, with increasing demand for conference tourism, sports activities, and pre-wedding photography, particularly among Asian couples.
Preservation and Environmental Efforts
- Pumice quarries closed since 1986 to preserve the caldera
- MS Sea Diamond cruise ship sank in the caldera in 2007 (remains a subject of environmental concern)
Sinking of Sea Diamond Cruse ship in Santorini, 2007
Santorini continues to balance its booming tourism industry with environmental preservation and safety measures, ensuring long-term sustainability while navigating seismic risks.