Introduction THE VOLCANO - CALDERA
The volcano of Santorini is one of the few active volcanoes of Greece. It erupted once in 1500 BC and the eruption was so strong that the size of Santorini changed (from circular it became of a strange shape), the smoke recovered the entire island and many neighbouring islands and the waves caused by the eruption arrived all the way to Crete and were one of the most important cause of the destruction of the Great Minoan Civilisation. With the power of the eruption the volcano went into the sea.

The volcano is lying in the centre of the basin of Santorini and has formed, after its eruption, two small islets of frozen black lava called Palea Kameni (Old Burned) and Nea Kameni (New Burned) which are respectively 2000 years and 500 years old.

Santorini's volcano is called Caldera and has become one of the main attractions of Santorini; thousands of visitors visit it every year by regular boat excursions which let them on Nea Kameni (the central part of the volcano) where they can walk through this amazing landscape reminding of a lunar one. The volcano crater can be seen as well as some holes with sulphur steam coming out of them.

The view from the volcano over the villages of Santorini perched on the cliffs is really worthing the trip as is the view from the villages to the volcano.

Fishing boats also give the possibility to reach the surroundings of the oldest volcano (Palea Kameni) where visitors can enjoy an unforgettable swim in the deliciously hot waters.

Santorini Volcano Eruption
197 BC. Eruption of the volcano.
19 AD. Eruption of the volcano.
46 AD. Eruption of the volcano
726 AD. Eruption of the volcano.
1204 AD. The Fourth Crusade created the Latin Empire of the Bosphorus.
1207 AD. The Duchy of Naxos of the Archipelago was founded and assigned to Marco I Sanudo. Thera was ceded as a Barony to Giacomo Barozzi. The administration remained in the hands of five generations of Barozzis until 1296. The Barozzis used to call themselves "Dominatores insularum Santorini et Therasia".
1296 AD. The Byzantine Likarios liberated Santorini along with the islands of Amorgos, Seriphos, Kea, Ios, Siphnos and Pholegandros.. However the newly-won freedom was very short lived and before the year was out the Barozzis had returned to Santorini.
During the next years the history of the island is the history of the rivalries between local lords and the Duke of Naxos or disputes between the latter and the Turks.
1570 or 1573 AD. Eruption of the volcano.
1579-1821 AD. Turkish occupation
1650 AD. Eruption of the volcano (26th Sept - 6 Dec)
1707 AD. Eruption of the volcano (23rd May - 17th Jan 1708)
1821 AD. Santorini is liberated.
1866-1870 AD Eruption of the volcano.
1870 AD. Mamet and Gorceix carried out a trial excavation in Akrotiri where a late Minoan settlement exists.
1899 AD. Robert Zahn carried out minor excavations at the site of Potamos (Akrotiri)
1925 AD 11th Aug - 1926 AD 21st May. Eruption of the volcano
1928 AD. Eruption of the volcano (23rd Jan - 17th Mar)
1939 AD End Aug - 1941 Beg July. Eruption of the volcano
1950 AD. Eruption of the volcano (10th Jan - 2nd Feb)
1967 AD. Professor Marinatos begun excavations at Akrotiri and uncovers a Late Minoan settlement.

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