Santorini’s History

A guide uncovering Santorini's journey from the volcanic past to its elegant present.

Behind the picturesque landscape of the island lies a deep, fascinating history going back thousands of years.

Volcanic activities, ancient civilizations, and historical events have made their mark on the island's identity resulting in the beauty that it is today. Its unique geological formation is a result of one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions ever recorded in history, the Minoan eruption of 1600 BCE, specifically occurred in 1613 BCE, which has provided its dramatic landscape and shaped the island’s culture, economy, and architecture. Today, its rich archaeological heritage blended with vivid local traditions makes Santorini a place that offers not just scenic beauty but a deep connection with the past. So, let’s unveil the island’s past in the guide that follows.

Contents

Before the Eruption | The Dawn of Santorini
Before 1600 BCE | Pre-Minoan Era
Around 1600 BCE | The Minoan Eruption
9th Century BCE–1st Century BCE | Dorian and Hellenistic Periods
1st Century BCE–13th Century CE | Roman and Byzantine Periods
1207–1579 CE | Venetian Rule
1579–1830 CE | Ottoman Rule and the Greek War of Independence
The Earthquake of 1956
Late 20th Century–Present | Modern Era

Before the Eruption | The Dawn of Santorini

The ancient ruins of the thriving city of Akrotiri, a Minoan settlement preserved by volcanic ash

The strategic placement of Santorini in the southern Aegean made it one of the central poles of early human habitation. In fact, archaeological evidence proves that the island was inhabited back in the Neolithic Age, while later, a Cycladic civilization that inhabited the island, built a very prosperous community. With time, Santorini became a significant cultural and economic center that benefited from the sea routes which connected it to other civilizations. The most significant settlement of this period was the city of Akrotiri, a sophisticated Minoan city with a well-planned urban structure.

Before 1600 BCE | Pre-Minoan Era

Before the Minoan eruption, Santorini had a very different shape. It was one big, round island called Strongili, meaning "The Round One". On this island, there was already an advanced Bronze Age civilization, highly influenced by the Minoans of Crete, while Akrotiri was a bustling trading center with well-planned streets, multi-story buildings, and a sophisticated drainage system. This is also proved by the excellent frescoes, pottery, and tool artifacts that were discovered, indicating a very developed civilization with a strong connection to maritime trade with Egypt, Cyprus, and the Greek mainland. Additionally, the volcanic soil contributed to the development of agriculture on the island.

Around 1600 BCE | The Minoan Eruption

Simulation of Santorini: Before and During the Volcanic Eruption. (credit: www.earthmagazine.org)

Perhaps the most important event in the history of Santorini, the Minoan eruption constituted one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. The result of that catastrophic event was the collapse of the central part of the island. The center of the island sunk, and resulted in the formation of the basis of the caldera. Meanwhile, ash, pumice, and gases were thrown into the atmosphere by the eruption, blocking sunlight and resulting in remarkable climatic changes across the area. It was then that layers of volcanic ash buried the thriving settlement of Akrotiri, preserving its buildings, frescoes, and artifacts, resembling what happened in Pompeii centuries later.

Another result of the eruption was the creation of a really massive tsunami that is believed to have reached as high as 35 meters (115 feet) and devastated the coasts of Crete and other nearby islands. This was probably one of the main reasons for the fall of the great Minoan civilization, as it seriously affected its trading networks and led to social and economic instability.

Satellite image of the crescent-shaped island of Santorini

From a geological aspect, the eruption rearranged Santorini. Strongili, which was a round island, was torn to pieces, resulting in the creation of steep cliffs, the islands of Therasia and Aspronisi, which were fragments of the original island, and a central caldera that was filled with water. Over time, smaller volcanic eruptions kept forming the landscape and resulted in the formation of the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni, located in the center of the caldera.

9th Century BCE–1st Century BCE | Dorian and Hellenistic Periods

Ancient Thera, set atop the island, offers a fascinating look into Santorini's history along with stunning views of the Aegean Sea

Following the disastrous eruption of its volcano that caused destruction to the island, Santorini was resettled gradually by the Dorians around the 9th century BCE. The Dorians were Greek-speaking, and they founded the city of Ancient Thera on the slopes of Mesa Vouno, a prominent mountain on the island. This strategic location ensured safety and offered an uninterrupted view of the sea, making it an ideal site for defense and trade. Therefore, the island became an important maritime hub for the exchange of goods and culture with other Greek colonies and civilizations.

The influence of greater Greek powers first came to Santorini during the Hellenistic period, first Athens, then Sparta, and finally the Macedonian Empire under Alexander the Great. It was then that the island became a cultural and commercial center due to the diffusion of Greek philosophy, art, and technology, while its trading role, continued to be important. Therefore, the island met prosperity, which was reflected in temple building, and theater construction.

1st Century BCE–13th Century CE | Roman and Byzantine Periods

During the 1st century BC, Santorini became a part of the Roman Empire. New architectural styles were brought in, and better road networks and public buildings were built by the Romans, while strong Hellenistic traditions remained very much alive.

As Rome fell, the Byzantine Empire took over, making Santorini a stronghold for Christians, which led to the building of several churches and monasteries. Later, during the Byzantine Empire, basilicas were built to spread Orthodox Christianity. Starting in the 7th century, however, Santorini began to face some threats from Arabian pirate raids that led to people fortifying the settlements and their homes.

1207–1579 CE | Venetian Rule

The ruins of the Castle of Agios Nikolaos in Oia, once a strategic defense point

Following the Fourth Crusade in 1204, Santorini was seized by the Venetians. It was the Venetians who gave the island the name Santorini, after Saint Irene, from the name of a local church. Under the Venetians, the island thrived on wine production and maritime trade, although religious tension developed under the imposition of Catholicism over Orthodox Christianity. During the Venetian period, fortresses against pirate attacks, such as the Pyrgos Kastelli, Skaros Castle, and Oia Castle, were also constructed. Conflicts and raids continually unsettled the population of the island, but agriculture and seafaring continued to thrive, which maintained the local community.

1579–1830 CE | Ottoman Rule and the Greek War of Independence

In 1579, Santorini fell under Ottoman rule, but the Orthodox Christianity remained untroubled. Under the Ottomans, the wine industry on this island prospered, with exports reaching all corners of Europe and the Middle East. During the Greek War of Independence (1821-1830), Santorini took an active part, and many islanders participated in the revolution against Ottoman rule, resulting in 1830 when Santorini finally joined the newly formed Greek state.

Over the next decades, Santorini flourished in the sea trade and its most important export products were wine, tomatoes, pumice stone, and textiles. Santorini's pumice stone trade began in the late 19th century and grew significantly in the 20th century when Santorini pumice was widely used in the shipbuilding, cement, and construction industries. Trading was at its height in the early to mid-1900s when large-scale excavations were shipping pumice all over the world, but mining was stopped in the 1980s, to preserve the island's natural landscapes and archaeological sites. On the other hand, Santorini's textile trade was never a significant industry, as limited amounts of wool and linen were produced mostly for domestic consumption and sporadic commerce with neighboring islands and mainland Greece.

The Earthquake of 1956

Residents examining the ruins of the houses after the 1956 earthquake in Santorini (credit: www.athens24.com)

The strongest hit against modern Santorini was given in 1956 by the great earthquake which caused a lot of destruction on the island. Many buildings fell due to this earthquake, with the most disastrous effects observed in the villages of Oia and Fira. The disaster led to a considerable part of the population leaving the island, which further led to its economic decline and depopulation. Many traditional houses and structures were lost, and it took Santorini decades to regain the destruction.

Late 20th Century–Present | Modern Era

Santorini today: A blend of history and beauty, where whitewashed villages cling to the cliffs of the iconic caldera

By the late 20th century, Santorini was transformed into one of the world's main tourist destinations. Thousands of visitors were drawn to its dramatic caldera, whitewashed buildings, and stunning sunsets, while the infrastructure improvements, including the expansion of ports, roads, and an airport, resulted in the growth of tourism. Tourism now dominates the economy, and the prosperity of Santorini, with many luxury hotels, fine dining, and cultural attractions having been built on the island. The historical sites of the ruins of Akrotiri and the ancient city of Thera have also been preserved, allowing the island to keep its unique heritage among modern developments.

The history of Santorini shows the resilience of the island to volcanic eruptions, cultural exchange, and political changes. Despite all these challenges, Santorini will continue to amaze the world with its rich past and breathtaking beauty!