The island of Santorini - Greek Islands

Mythology says that the island of Santorini was created when the Argonauts, who were in this area of the Aegean Sea searching for the golden fleece, allowed a lump of earth to fall into the sea. This lump of earth, which was given to them by the king of Libya, became an island. This myth was undoubtedly related to the geological history of Santorini. This land in fact was created by the explosion of a volcano in Prehistoric times.

In 1500 B.C. an explosion destroyed the central part of this island, changing its shape and leaving only three peaks out of the sea, which are today the islands of Santorini, Thirassia and Aspronisi. The terrible earthquake that followed this volcanic explosion was the event that gave an end to the Minoan Civilization in Crete. In 197 BC, a explosion of the volcano created the small island Palia Kameni and, in more recent times, another explosion the small island Nea Kameni.

Santorini was inhabitated from Prehistoric times. Its first name was Thira. About 1000 BC, the island was colonized by Dorians, led by the hero Thiras, who gave his name to the island. In 7th Century (634 BC), inhabitants of Santorini left the island and founded the city of Cirene in Libya, following the counsel of Delphi oracle.

In 426 BC, the island was conquered by Athens and later by Egypt and Rome. From 1207 AD Thira belonged to the Venetians, who gave it the name of Saint Irini, from which the island took its today�s name, Santorini. From 1537, Santorini was under the domination of the Turks. In 1821 the island was liberated and became part of Greece. In modern times this island has become one of the more popular Greek islands travel destinations.