Santorini is an island located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is part of the Cyclades archipelago, and is mainly populated by Cycladic Greeks. The earliest known human settlement was about 14,000 BC when there was a small Neolithic village on the island’s volcanic plateau. The name Santorini comes from Saint Irene, whose church crowns the island’s only medieval town.
Behind the Eruption on Santorini
The island is famous for its volcanic eruption in the years 1620-1700 BC, known as the Santorini explosion. The eruption spread ash up to 10,000 metres in the air, and covered the top of the island with a thick layer of pumice. The eruption caused the sea to rise, and made the island’s coastline more than 5 km away. It was one of the largest and most devastating volcanic eruptions in human history. It was responsible for the destruction of the Minoan civilization and lead to death and injury to thousands of people including Brits, Italians, and Egyptians. Some say that this was a natural disaster that could not be prevented but others believe that the eruption was caused by an earthquake or an underwater volcano beneath Thera. The volcano erupted again in 1628, and again in 1667.
The inhabitants were forced to abandon their homes and settle on the neighboring island of Crete until they had time to rebuild and repopulate the island. Excavations have found evidence of Bronze Age settlements, but today’s population is descended from people who returned to live on Santorini around 1637 AD.
Museums in Santorini
Santorini is famous for its breathtaking views and unique architecture. Today, has also become known for its eclectic museums that offer a glimpse into the island’s fascinating history. Ever since the beginning of tourism in Greece, Santorini has been a popular destination and today it sees around 2 million visitors per year.
You can gain an amazing knowledge by visiting the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, the Folklore Museum, the Naval Maritime Museum, the Minerals and Fossils Museum and the Wine Museum.
