Why is Santorini built like that?
Why is Santorini built like that? Due to the challenging weather conditions (heavy hurricanes in winter and solar heat in summer) and protection from pirate invasions, Santorini's architecture is very similar to the other Cycladic islands. Of unique charm is the sunset of Fira and Oia, for which the island welcomes thousands of visitors.
Is Santorini the lost city of Atlantis?
Later Atlantis suffered a terrible earthquake and a flood, sinking in its entirety into the sea. Finds from the excavations at Akrotiri have led scholars to conclude that the lost Atlantis was none other than Santorini. However over the centuries, as myth was retold, experts beg to differ.
Why are houses in Santorini white and blue?
It was not until 1967, that these two colors became a mandatory choice when the Junta, a right-wing military dictatorship mandated that all buildings must be painted or repainted to white and blue. The regime believed that this measure would inspire patriotism and reflect nationalism.
Why are the roofs in Santorini curved?
It mainly had to do with construction reasons. Domes in general are one of the first structural forms humans worked with in stone architecture. Spherical domes are used in Greece from appx. 5,800 BC.
How did they build Santorini?
The main building materials are, of course, volcanic which are abundant thanks to the well-known volcano; volcanic dust, black igneous rock, red rock and pumice stone. Two basic architectural characteristics of the island are the domes and the cave houses, whose construction is easy and inexpensive.
What is the myth of Santorini?
According to Mythology, Santorini was created from a lump of earth that was thrown into the sea by Euphemus, Poseidon's son. Euphemus had a dream one evening that he had made love to a nymph who was the daughter of Triton (the son of Poseidon and Aphrodite).
Why was Santorini made?
Prior to 1620 BC, the island of Santorini, now known as Thera, was built up by layers of lava created by overlapping shield volcanoes, and it had experienced three significant eruptions that formed overlapping calderas, or collapsed magma chambers.
Why is Santorini shaped the way it is?
That explosive phenomenon of the volcano occurred continuously for the next 200,000 years and, every time an explosion occurred, it would further deepen the caldera, which ultimately shaped Santorini as it is today.
Why is Santorini so high up?
Santorini is made that bit more special by its extraordinary location. Thousands of years ago, a massive volcanic eruption caused the centre of the island to collapse, leaving a caldera or crater, with towering cliffs along one side of the island.
How do they keep Santorini so white?
The solution was to paint their houses light-colored by using whitewash which they made by mixing lime, water, and sea salt. As white color is a reflector of heat it worked perfectly to preserve the freshness and coolness of Greek homes.
Why is the water so blue in Santorini?
This glorious blue colour is due partly to the reflection of the blue skies and partly to the fact that the sea does not contain large quantities of solid matter such as plankton, mud and dust floating in the water. The way in which the Greek Sea sparkles is like no other the world over.
What is the hidden town in Santorini?
Visit the medieval settlement of Pyrgos, walking narrow, labyrinth street in the shadow of the steeples and the blue domes of the churches that will take you to another era.
Why is the sand red in Santorini?
The beach's sand is composed of black and red pulverized volcanic rock from the nearby Santorini caldera.
Why is Santorini on a cliff?
This island of black rock owes its unique, dramatic landscape to volcanic eruptions. A volcano, still active, stands at the center of a ring of islands, Santorini the longest. In between them is a vast, deep caldera, filled with water, surrounded by the islands' cliffs, volcanic rock, and black and red sand beaches.
How does Santorini get water?
Santorini really has no sources of natural drinking water. While a couple of new sea water desalination plants have been able to supply the main cities with clean water, many households still rely on collecting the winter rain fall in large tanks that sit on top of many houses.
When did Santorini last erupt?
Santorini caldera is a large, mostly submerged caldera, located in the southern Aegean Sea, 120 kilometers north of Crete in Greece. Visible above water is the circular Santorini island group, consisting of Santorini, the main island, Therasia and Aspronisi at the periphery, and the Kameni islands at the center.