Where did Santorini get its name?
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The history of the name of the beautiful island
It is one of the favorite destinations, not only for us but also for millions of people from all over the world. Since we have already talked extensively about the island as a travel destination, today we will learn how Santorini got its name and what else it was called during the various periods of its history.
How did the imposing Santorini get its name?
• Strogyli: This was the most ancient name of the island, derived from its round shape before the volcanic eruption of 1613 BC, which created the caldera.
• Kallisti: This name, meaning “the most beautiful”, was given to the island because of its stunning natural beauty.
• Thera: This name is due to Thera, an ancient Spartan settler of the island. Later, the island was inhabited by the Lacedaemonians (8th century BC), who named it Thira. This name, which remains to this day as the Greek version of the name of the island, came from the ancient Spartan, Thera, who colonized first. It is important to note that the name “Thira” is still used officially in Greece, while the name “Santorini” is more commonly used in everyday speech and tourism.
• Santa Irina: It took its name from a church dedicated to Agia Irini, which existed on the island during the Frankish occupation. From this name comes the current name “Santorini”.
In addition to these main names, Santorini has been referred to by various other names in various sources, such as:
• Aphisia: This name appears in ancient texts.
• Sisimos: This name was used by the Romans.
• Santorini: A variant of the name “Santorini”.
And the name Santorini, which is the most prevalent to this day, comes from the passing Frankish Crusaders. They, during their passage, stopped for supplies near the church of Agia Irini, which is located in the current area of Perisa. They called her Santa Irina (meaning Saint Peace) after the said church. What is this historic little church? Initially there was the opinion that this church was the chapel of Agia Irini that existed in Thirasia, today it is considered more likely that it is the most magnificent early Christian three-aisled basilica of Agia Irini in Thira, the ruins of which were discovered in 1992.
During the Turkish occupation, the Turks called it Dermetzik or Dimertzik (“small mill”). This name was given to Santorini probably from the many small windmills that stood out from afar. After the liberation of Greece, the name Thira was officially established. However, foreign maps continued to call it Santa-Irina from which it remained with a slight corruption by the Greeks as Santorini.
Santorini belongs to the volcanic arc of the Aegean and is classified as an active volcano along with Methana, Milos and Nisyros. Santorini as well as the islands of Thirasia and Aspronisi are remnants of the volcanic island of Strongyli. Strogyli was a volcanic cone. Its central part was blown up together with the crater of the volcano by the Minoan eruption that took place in 1613 BC. and resulted in the creation of what we now call the Santorini caldera and the destruction of the prehistoric civilization of the island.
In the sea gap formed between Thira and Thirasia, which is 1,500 meters deep, from time to time volcanic cones came to the surface that formed the following islands: Palaia, Mikri and Nea Kameni, Kameni Georgios I, Kameni Fouquet , Afrossa and Daphne.
All these islands grew slowly and united, except Palaia Kameni. A change in the state of the volcano has recently been noticed. After many years, the seismic energy increased in the area, resulting in volcanic magma “inflating” old Kammeni, so that volcanologists jokingly liken it to an overblown cake. Fortunately, the volcano remains inactive.