Page 210 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

EXPERIENCE The Cyclades

Sunset over whitewashed
cliff homes and the caldera
of the capital, Firá

2
SANTORÍNI

ΣΑΝΤΟΡΊΝΗ
k 5 km (3 miles) SE of Firá g Athiniós @
n Firá; www.santorini.gr
Originally colonized by the Minoans in 3000 BC, this volcanic island
erupted in 1620 BC, forming Santoríni’s crescent shape and outlying
islands. Named Thera by the Dorians when they settled here in the 8th
century BC, it was renamed Santoríni, after St Irene, by the Venetians
who acquired the island in the 13th century. Extremely popular with
tourists, Santoríni is simply stunning, with white villages clinging to
volcanic cliffs above black-sand beaches.

1 in 1956, Firá has been rebuilt, Theoto kopoúlou, is the hub of
the road network and the bus
terraced into the volcanic
Firá cliffs with domed churches terminal is nearby. All the
and barrel-roofed cave houses. roads running north from
g @ 50 m (165 ft) S of main
square n 22863 60100 The terraces are packed with here and Athiniós harbour
hotels, bars and restaurants in eventually merge in Platía
Firá, or Thera, overlooking the good positions along the lip Firostefáni. The most spec-
caldera and the island of Néa of the caldera to enjoy the tacular street, Agíou Miná,
Kaméni, is the island’s capital. magnificent views, especially runs south along the edge of
It was founded in the late 18th at sunset. The tiny port of the caldera to the 18th-century
century, when islanders moved Gialós (Skála Firón) is 270 m church of Ágios Minás. With its
from the Venetian citadel of (885 ft) below Firá, connected distinctive blue dome and its
Skáros, near present-day by cable car or by 580 steps. white bell tower, it has become
Imerovígli, to the clifftop plains Firá is largely pedes tri anized the symbol of Santoríni.
for easier access to the sea. with winding cobbled alleys. The Archaeological Museum
Devastated by an earthquake The town’s main square, Platía houses finds from the ancient
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