Santorini,
also known as Thira, is widely considered to be
Greece's most spectacular island. Thousands of tourists come every
year to gaze at the caldera of the volcano,
a remnant of what was probably the world's largest volcanic eruption
ever. This eruption occurred sometime around 1450 BC and caused
the middle part of the island to sink, leaving a caldera of high
cliffs, one of the world's most spectacular views.
This landmark, the archaeological sites, the sun & fun and many more is what
thousands of people from all around the world are coming here to experience every
year.
We offer you all major Santorini hotels at discounted rates. Use the map below to select your accommodation in Santorini or the search engine to your left for all available hotels in Santorini with online reservation.
Hotels in Santorini
Santorini Today
History through the names:
Strogili
- Was the first name of the island and means "circular"
in Greek.
This name was given because of the round shape of the group of islands which
form Santorini.
Kallisti - The second name of the island, after volcano’s eruption,
means the
" most beautiful". By that time the island was inhabited by Phoenicians.
Kadmos, the son of Agenor, stopped at Kallisti during one of his wanderings
in search of Europe. He left behind a group of Phoenicians, who were accompanying
him, and they occupied the island until the arrival of Lacedaemonians and their
king Theras.
Thira (or Thera) - The third name of the island,
named after king Theras’ arrival. Having brought with him a
crew of Mycaenians from Sparta, made the island a colony of the Lacedaemonians.
Santorini - The name Santorini is much more recent
and is the name that Greeks use nowadays for this group of islands.
Nevertheless
the name "Thera" is also used. The name Santorini, which has
a Latin root, was given by the Venetians who, after the Fourth Crusade
(1204), had domination over the islands. The origin of the name was the
Chapel of Aghia Irini (Santa Irini - Santorini) which was built on Therasia.
The Chapel was situated on a small bay where the Venetians moored their
boats.