SANTORINI:
THE ANCIENT THIRA

The ancient Thira During the archaic season (7th and 6th centuries BC) Fira is being linked with Crete and Paros initially, later with Attica, Corinthus, Rhodes and Ionia. This relation, however remain surface, without be able to influence effectively the structure of conservative society of residents and alter the cultural life of the island. Frugal as they are, stays satisfy with what they get from the fertile ground of their island and they avoid the marine "adventures". From the 6th century BC Fira creates her own currency. Two dolphins were the official emblem of the island (decoration). In the years of the Persian Wars the mint of Fira closed and open again when the Athenian hegemony in the Aegean ended, around that is to say in the means of 4th century BC. During the Peloponnesian War, as it was logical, Fira supported Sparta. In the Hellenistic years the strategic place of the island in the Aegean was in appreciated particularly by the Ptolemy. The natural fortification of Mesa Vouno (In Mountain) and its framework by two sandy beaches, suitable for anchorage, made Fira precious naval and military base for the martial enterprises of Successors in the Aegean.

SANTORINI:
ROMAN & BYZANTINE EMPIRE

In in the enormous "lake"
of Roman Empire, the Mediterranean, Thira is nothing more than an insignificant island. The Christianity however reached early and it appears that, from the fourth century, existed already as an organised church. Is also testified as "Thira's Bishopric" with the first bishop named Dioskouros. From the period of Ioustinianos until 1207, when it was also suppressed, the Thira's Bishopric was one of the depended in the Metropolitan throne of Rhodes bishoprics and are always reported fifth in the line. Neither political or military importance appears that it had in the Byzantine years. It is however remarkable that Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118) founded the temple of Virgin Mary of Bishopric in Gonia, perhaps as catholic some monastery. From the years still Byzantines, the most terrible plague of Aegean islands were the every nation, race and language pirates, who undisturbed occupied the coastline imposing taxes and took whatever they wanted. Because of this and in order to rescue their lives, but also in order to safeguard minimal existing their from the invaders, people on the island had encompassed their villages in fortified "Castelia" (Castles), to which they resorted even the serfs when the sentinels gave the signal of alarm from the utmost sides of the island. In the island of Santorini, are reported - from the years of Frankish - five castles. The castle of Skaros was the most important, not only because of its location and equipment, but also because in this had been installed and resided the Fragoi souvereigns of island, with their Despot. Skaros, was built under the Imerovigli village, in the rough cliffs of "Theoskepasti". Today are rescued minimal ruins, because from 1700, residents abandoned Skaros and moved to Fira. Second was the Casteli of Apanomerias (Above Side - Oia), that was named also "the Castle of Saint Nikolaos". Third was at Pirgos village, fourth, in Emporio village and fifth was the Casteli in Akrotiri, which it's named also as Pountas Casteli. The last four Castles were built in the homonym villages of the island and before the earthquake of 1956, they were all in good condition. Outside from the each Castle and exactly in the front side of his gate, it was (and it is still) a church which all of them are dedicated in the name of Saint Theodosia. Even in the castle of Skarou, which the most residents there were Catholics, existed at the front of the gate a church in memory of Saint Theodosia. It's worthwhile to mention Saint Theodosia is celebrated on 29 May and that the same season where her martyrdom was taken place in the Byzantium, the 726 AC, became also the terrible explosion of volcano, that created Palaia Kameni
(Old Burned).

SANTORINI HISTORY:
The early years

After the fallen of Istamboul from the Crusaders of Fourth Crusade (1204) and the creation of Latin Empire of Bosporus, the Dandolos granted the islands in his nephew, Mark Sanoudo. In this way, the Duchy of Naxos or Archipelago had been established. Thira became the seat for one of the four Latin bishoprics of Duchy and, with Thirassia, was granted as barony to Iakov Varotsi. Until 1296 the island was managed by five generations of Varotsi family, which they made use
of the pompous title "Despotai
of islands Santorini
and Thirassia".

Creation of Palea and Nea Kameni Inside the caldera, are two islands, which are fusion of a number of volcanic cones thrown up from the bottom
of caldera. After the great cataclysm there was a period of quiescence lasting about 1300 years. Then in 198 BC
a volcanic island was thrown up and called Hierra. In AD 46 another eruption, about 400 yds (370m) away, created another island, named Theia and in AD 60 a third eruption completely united the two islands. In AD 726 a fourth eruption increases the size
of the island created by the union of Hiera and Theia.
In AD 1457 and 1508 further eruptions increased the size of this island, but there has been no further activity in this island, which reached its present shape at this point.
It is now called Palea (Old) Kameni and its highestpoint is about 330 ft (110m) above sea level. In AD 1573, about 65 years after Palea Kameni reached its present form, activity broke out some 2600 yds (2400m) North-East of the centre of Palea Kameni and a small oval island (500x300 m) came into being. This was called Mikra (Small) Kameni.
In 1707 volcanic activity started again, this time some 217 yds (200m) West of Small Kameni. Two volcanic cones appeared and were named Aspronisi and Macronesi. These were united in the course of five years to form
a third islet, between Old and Small Kameni, larger and higher than either, and named Nea (New) Kameni.