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 Known for its iconic caldera, unique and colourful sand   known as Stongili, which means round in Greek. Strongili
 or pebble beaches resulting from solidified lava such as the Red   was the victim of an enormous volcano eruption between
 Beach, the Black Beach and the White Beach, whitewashed   1642 and 1540 BC, an eruption so huge that many consider
 houses and deep indigo sea, nowhere on earth quite compares   it to be the main cause of the destruction of the great Minoan   CHRISTOFOROS ASIMIS
                                                                                Mostly referred to as the «Painter of
 with the wild natural beauty of this infamous volcanic island;   civilisation on the island of Crete, situated 70 nautical miles   Santorini», Christoforos Asimis’ paintings
 an island steeped in the legend of the lost Atlantis that has   away, through the creation of gigantic tsunami waves that   are an ode to the island’s mesmerising
 captivated so many imaginations through the decades. Drawing   reached the shores of the surrounding islands and Crete. After   landscapes and brilliant light. This
                                                                                renowned artist has dedicated over
 visitors from all four corners of the globe who flock to the island   the explosion, the centre of Santorini sank, with the many   half a century to celebrating the island’s
 to view its monumental sunsets, awe inspiring views, cuisine   earthquakes that followed destroying a large part of the rest   fierce natural beauty. Born and raised
 and wines, it is no wonder that Santorini has been voted one   of the island. The island has been inhabited by the Minoan   on Santorini, Asimis, who studied at
                                                                                the Athens School of Fine Arts, has
 of the most beautiful islands in the world time and time again.   civilisation, as well as the Phoenicians, the Dorians and the   been inspired from the unique island’s
 Inhabited since as early as the Neolithic Period (4th   Byzantines; all the way through to the Venetians and Turks   landscape and magnificent light.
 millennium BC approx), Santorini’s long history is extremely   who have all left their mark on the island. The present group
 varied: Archaeological discoveries made near Akrotiri and   of islands known as Santorini, named after the small chapel ‣
 the island’s famous Red Beach show the existence of an   of Agia Irini (or Saint Irene) by the Venetians, comprises
 important ancient Minoan colony (who settled on the island   five distinct islands: Santorini (aka Thira), the main island,
 between 2000 and 1600 BC) - very similar to those found on   Thirasia and Aspronisi at the periphery and the two Kameni
 the island of Crete. In Ancient times, Santorini Island was   islands at the centre.




 The view of the volcano from
 Santorini may be dreamy, but
 the grey calmness of ground
 zero hides a tension that stirs
 powerfur new emotions.
 Opposite: The village of
 Emporeio is filled with
 stairways, arches, gates and
 secrets (above). A lonely
 church on Nea Kameni island,
 near the volcano (below).

































 NO W H E RE  O N  E A R T H  Q UI TE  C O M P A RE S  W I TH  TH E  W I L D
 N AT U R A L B E A U T Y O F T H I S F A B U L OU S V O L C A N I C I S L A N D .

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