The famous Caldera is what basically characterizes the island of Santorini.
We are often asked the question "what is the Caldera?": To answer this question we have to go back in time to 10,000 years ago, when the late Cycladic period began in the Aegean ...
The island of Santorini was originally of a circular shape, until in 1450 BC a catastrophic eruption buried it entirely under the lava and caused the central part to sink into the sea (about 8 sq. km), transforming it into a basin. The depression that occurred occurred following the collapse of the vault of the volcano's magma chamber, in turn caused by one of the most violent eruptions in the history of volcanology. And so the island of Santorini originated, with its present shape and not roundish as it was originally.
The Caldera, therefore, is the heart of Santorini currently located 400 meters underwater, where there is still a crater with a diameter of 10 km. Moreover in its center there are numerous thermal springs and a new volcano, the Nea Kameni.
The tremendous earthquake, as you can imagine, not only caused houses to collapse, but buried an entire historical era.
It was a devastating earthquake for an entire era!
Santorini has not evolved as the neighboring Greek islands. His story and his works were buried in the depths of the earth, only to be reborn. And this not just once! Once upon a time, where today our beloved island of Santorini lies, there were three small islands without importance and which are now incorporated into the island, making it a part of it, and they are: the Monte del Profitis Ilias, the rocks overhanging Athinios (today's port) and the Monolithos, an isolated rock that rises along the eastern coast of the island of Santorini. This, thousands of years ago, the island was round and profoundly different from what it is today.
After the catastrophe peace came again. First the men and then the volcano resumed their life and proceeded with their natural activities. And so they began again the conquests, the invasions and the battles. The Phoenicians began, who called it Kallisti, then the Dorians of Sparta who renamed it "Thira" in the name of their king. In this last period ports, cities, temples were built and the alphabet was introduced. Afterwards, the island of Santorini was allied with Sparta, then during the Byzantine period it was Christianized, and finally Byzantine struggles, Turks raids, rivalry between Genoa and the Serenissima followed one another ... until the island was annexed to the Ottoman Empire in 1579. But the Turks did not have time to sing victory that the Venetians, having dominion in the sea, imprisoned all the Turks of the Aegean islands and did not allow the Ottomans to settle there on Santorini. Nothing ended because in the end Santorini lived with relative autonomy. The inhabitants chose their leaders (gerontes) who represented them at the Ottoman and Venetian authorities. In fact, the island was obliged to pay taxes to both the Sultan and the Serenissima Republic of Venice. Times went by and a thousand other misfortunes and fortunes passed over Santorini. Until we get to today, our lucky days, characterized by a quiet and serenity that once they could only hope to have.
The incredible panorama of the Caldera can be admired from every corner of the island of Santorini, but in any case, if you come to the island we recommend you take an excursion to discover this natural spectacle. No wonder one of the most popular tours in Santorini is boat cruises to the small Caldera islands, which always include a stop at the ancient crater and certainly represent a fascinating way to admire this marvel of nature. But if you suffer from seasickness and prefer not to get on a boat, you can admire it from above in all its grandeur with a walk along the highest point of the island of Santorini: the complete route goes from Fira to Oia, it is not particularly challenging but it is still quite tiring. But don't worry, already with easy walks around Fira (the capital) you can enjoy extraordinary panoramic views. The villages of Firostefani, Imerovigli, Megalochori, Akrotiri and Oia also overlook the submerged volcano, offering visitors a splendid panorama known throughout the world. And if you are in "vacation" mode and you are lucky enough to stay in one of the many hotels with infinity pools on the sea ... well it will be even easier ... and certainly romantic..specifically at sunset.
The Caldera excursion includes a walk on the volcano and it is therefore important that you wear closed shoes with socks and that you bring fresh water. The Nea Kameni is in the form of a very black consolidated lava mass. The water that embraces these dark coasts is of an intense opaque green due to the sulfur, obviously getting closer and closer to the mouth of the volcano your nostrils will be immediately accustomed by the strong smell of sulfur that dominates the area. When you arrive the show will take your breath away: a huge basin of stones and crystals, above which smoke and sulfur hovers, the earth here is really very hot, so be careful. Here you can enjoy a pleasant and regenerating hot bath that you can do in the sulphurous water before leaving the volcano.
Finally the other islands that are part of the Caldera, namely Thirassia, Aspronesi, Mikrà Kameni, Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni, are volcanic islets formed by the lava flows of the various eruptions, from these it is possible to enjoy enchanting different views of the area of the submerged volcano . These small islands emerged, respectively, with the eruptions of 97 BC, 1570, 1707, 1866 and 1925. The scenario that will appear before your incredulous eyes will not easily be forgotten, it will surely be one of the most beautiful memories that you will take home from this holiday on the island of Santorini!