Santorin

Santorin, or THERA, an island of the Ægean, the southernmost of the Cyclades, 70 miles N. of Crete. It is shaped like a crescent, the horns pointing west; between them lies the island of Therasia. The space so enclosed, 18 miles in circuit, resembles a volcanic crater, and three small islands it encloses (the Kaumenes) are all of volcanic origin. Santorin and Therasia have lofty and precipitous shores (up to 1000 feet) next the crater; on their outer sides they slope away gradually to the sea, except that in the south-east of the former Mount St Elias rises to 1887 feet. The chief town, Thera or Phera, on the west coast of Santorin, is built in the cliffs of tufa and perched some 900 feet above the water's edge. Pop. of island (1889) 17,382. Excellent wine is grown on the disintegrated volcanic soil. Eruptions have taken place, chiefly near the Kaumenes, in the years 196 B.C., 726 A.D., 1573, 1650, 1707, and 1866. Interesting prehistoric dwellings, containing pottery and other remains, have been found in the southern half of Santorin. The pottery is believed to be older than that of Mycenæ. There are also ruins of Greek temples and other buildings. This island is regarded as the special home of the vampire. See Tozer, Islands of the Ægean (1890); Fouqué, Santorin et ses Éruptions (Paris, 1879); and Bent, Cyclades (1885).