This is the place where the doom of the Minoan civilization on Crete started in the past – between 1450 and 1400 B.C. A huge volcano erupted here and caused a massive tsunami which devastated the Minoan Crete. We can see parts of the volcano above the sea level while under the sea the rest of it is hidden and still active. Santorini is exactly what is above the sea level from this huge crater. It is in fact a volcanic caldera.
Many people believe that Santorini was in fact the legendary Antlantis which collapsed under the sea. The Dorians, who settled here in the 8th centrury B.C. called the island Thíra. Following the Venetian conquest in the 13th century A.D. its name was changed into Santorini according to its patron saint Saint Irene.
