Why has the island of Santorini in Greece become a must?

Santorini is a Greek island in the Cyclades archipelago located in the Aegean Sea. In recent years, Santorini has become a chic and trendy destination. On social networks, you can see many stars and public figures lounging there and visiting this wonder. Indeed, its white villages with blue domes and windows are very photogenic. Of course, this is not the only reason why thousands of tourists come here every year. Here is why and how this island has become a must.

Summary

  • His history
  • His architecture
  • Its extraordinary landscapes
  • Its culture and its people
  • Its gastronomy

His history

Originally, the land on which Santorini now sits was much larger. Around 1456 BC. J.-C., a volcanic eruption took place on this island on which was at the time the city of Thera. Traces of this catastrophe can still be observed thanks to the rugged shape of the island and its beaches of black, red and white lava pebbles. During the 1970s, many vestiges were unearthed, reflecting the incredible history of the island. Indeed, many peoples have inhabited it: League of Delos, Egypt, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Duchy of Naxos, Ottoman Empire and then finally Greece in 1840.

Son architecture

If you are curious to know why the houses are white, well in reality there are several answers. Since the beginning of the 1930s, during the dictatorship of Metaxas, it was compulsory to paint the houses white and the windows blue for reasons of order and uniformity. Today, there is no longer any obligation, but other reasons push the inhabitants to keep these colors. First of all for reasons of aesthetics of course, but also because white repels light, which therefore limits the heat in homes in summer. Also, the buildings are painted with white lime, because it helps to disinfect and weed the walls.

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Its extraordinary landscapes

Its history and its buildings contribute to the beauty of Santorini. Indeed, this place both rugged and pure is magical. No matter where on the island you are, you may see a piece of sea. This combo makes this place unique in the world.

Its culture and its people

On the island, you will obviously find Greek culture: writing, language, customs and habits. Thus, the change of scenery is assured, even on a small island of a few kilometers. In the same way, some inhabitants are still authentic and representative of the Greeks. If you absolutely want to discover the culture of the island and sympathize with its inhabitants, do not go there in summer. Indeed, the island unfortunately loses its authenticity more and more because of mass tourism, especially during the summer period.

Its gastronomy

If you love food, you won’t be disappointed staying in Santorini. There, the Mediterranean gastronomy is very cooked, as well as the specialties of the island:

  • Souvlaki: grilled fish skewers accompanied by many vegetables.
  • Moussaka: mixture of meat, eggplant, tomato and onion.
  • Feta: goat cheese and olive oil.
  • Many aromatic herbs in all the other dishes you will taste: mint, rosemary, oregano…
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Mohamed SAKHRI

I am Mohamed SAKHRI, the creator and editor-in-chief of this blog, 'Discover the World – The Blog for Curious Travelers.' Join me as we embark on a journey around the world, uncovering beautiful places, diverse cultures, and captivating stories. Additionally, we will delve into mysterious and, at times, even bizarre destinations.

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