Page 31 - ANDRONIS magazine #1

EXPLORE

Romantic views from above and a visit at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral, the Roman Catholic church at Fira, are a must.

The island’s incredible beauty is evident before you even The Caldera itself – famed as one of the most beautiful
arrive. An astonishing sight from the air – with its collection sights in the entire world – is the result of thousands of years
of five islands floating on the endless blue of the Aegean Sea of violent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, one of which,
almost like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, it’s hard not to feel drawn between 1642 and 1540 BC, caused huge tsunamis that are
to the magical legend of Atlantis – everything below seems to said to be responsible for wiping out the Minoan civilisation
have a story to tell while the flat glistening blue sea hints at along the north of the island of Crete situated 70 nautical miles
hidden worlds lost deep down below. As the aeroplane prepares away. The island initially split into three parts in the volcanic
to land, a dazzling mosaic of colours gradually becomes visible, eruption - Santorini (Thira), the main island, Therasia and
from the grey and red rock face of the crater – Caldera from Aspronisi at its periphery. Subsequent underwater eruptions
the Greek for “cauldron”, studded with windmills, the island’s (the most recent in 1570) threw up the two further islands –
trademark blue-domed churches and terraces of sugar-cube Palia Kameni and Nea Kameni (“Old Burnt Island” and “New
whitewashed settlements that seem to run along the rim of the Burnt Island”) – that complete the fascinating archipelago.
Caldera almost like a ribbon. Probably Santorini’s most famous Today, the aftereffects of these dramatic geological events
image, these whitewashed settlements with Caldera views in represent the island’s two main sources of wealth, namely
Firostefani, Fira, Imerovigli and Oia are built into the rock face tourism and agriculture, with the latter owing its success to
from ancient cave dwellings to now boast exclusive hillside the island’s unique and very fertile volcanic soil and perfect SEASIDE BY NOTOS
hotels showcasing infinity pools and luxury spas, accompanied climate allowing it to give birth to excellent produce such as www.seaside-restaurant.gr, Agios Georgios , Perivolos beach , 84703 Santorini , Greece,
by boutique shops, bars, nightclubs and restaurants. its fava beans, cherry tomatoes, capers and famous goat’s ‣ Tel.: + 30 22860-82801 , info@seaside-restaurant.gr , www.facebook.com/seaside.restaurant.santorini/

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