The Santorini Caldera unquestionably is one of the natural wonders on earth. The caldera is a result of the volcanic explosion that occured 3500 years ago and permanently changed the topography of the Mediterranean coast. The Caldera itself is a reason to visit Santorini. The unique natural beauty of the caldera attracts thousands of tourists each year. A lot of tourist rent hotel rooms or villas with a view to Caldera.
The caldera of Santorini is a basin, four miles in diameter which scientists and archaeologists have linked with the myth of Atlantis. The landscape consists of steep rocks and cliffs that tower above almost touching the sky. It is more than a thousand feet above the sea level and extends underneath the sea for an additional thousand feet, thereby creating a perfect harbor. The caldera has an elevation, which varies between 150 to 350 meters. The distance from one end of the island (Cape Exomitis) to the other end (Cape Mavropetra) is 18 km. The island's breadth varies from 2 to 6 km.
To the northernmost part of the Caldera is the town of Oia. This town is much loved by the tourists and pulses with activity and energy. There are dozens of bars, restaurants, and hotels that are ideally positioned on rocky promontories which provide fabulous panoramic views to the Santorini Caldera. Oia can be reached by a road that meanders along the cliffs located to the eastern periphery of Santorini. At certain points, this road is so narrow that it looks more like a ridge that can barely accommodate two lanes with no railing for protection.
The capital city of Fira is ideally located to the eastern elevation of the Caldera. The town is well spread over several high cliffs some of which towers above reaching heights of 1,200 feet above sea level which makes for an awesome spectacle. Fira like Oia is replete with bars, restaurants, and hotels that have been built in vantage locales to provide the discerning tourists with amazing panoramic vistas of the Santorini caldera. The principal port of Santorini is just below the cliff.
Today, the caldera of Santorini is one of the most important geological configurations on planet earth and rightfully, it has been the subject of higher research in the domain of Geology as well as Archaeology.
The Minoan Eruptio
The Santorini Caldera dates back 70,000 years and once formed a full circular ring. However, in the wake of the Minoan eruption that ravaged the island of Thera (now Santorini, Greece), much of its shape was destroyed and submerged underwater. The Minoan eruption was a devastating catastrophe the likes of which have never since seen. Scientists believe it was five times more powerful than the Krakatoa eruption in Indonesia. It killed over 40,000 people throughout the Aegean islands.
Because there are so few first-hand accounts, historians know very little about the actual eruption, and the unknown helps to shroud the current caldera in mystery. It is believed that the people of Santorini evacuated before the volcano blew, the eruption changed the landscape of the island forever. Now, thousands of years after this devastating event, you can view the stunning natural occurrence that resulted...from your own hotel.
The Birth of Legend
Everyone has heard the fascinating story of Atlantis: the legendary kingdom, far more advanced than the surrounding society, tragically lost when it sank into the ocean over the course of one night and day. Atlantis was first mentioned in the works of Plato as a warning against hubris, but some believed it to have been a real place--or at least to have connections to the real world. It’s caused speculation for millennia: what was the true story?
Many historians believe that if there were true roots to the Atlantis myth, they lie in Santorini, Greece and the famous Santorini Caldera. The Minoan eruption was massive enough to cause the end described for Atlantis, and with much of the caldera now submerged under water...it’s hard not to see the connection.
Others believe that the Minoan eruption might have played a hand in the plagues in Egypt recorded in the Bible. Whatever the truth, the Santorini Caldera has had a role in some of the most famous historical legends.
The Caldera Toda
Today, the Santorini Caldera is the main driving force of tourists to Santorini. It is located roughly one thousand feet above sea level and stretches one thousand feet below sea level, forming stately cliffs and a perfect natural harbor.
The nearest cities to the caldera are Oia and Fira. Oia, the most popular tourist city, is built on top of the northernmost cliffs overlooking the caldera. If you want great hotels with amazing views of the caldera in Santorini, Oia is the place to go. Fira is located atop the eastern cliffs of the caldera and also provides terrific panoramic views of the caldera with less crowds. Both Oia and Fira are full of great bars, restaurants, and other accommodations and entertainment for tourists.
There are many reasons to visit Santorini, Greece: the stunning beaches along the Aegean coast, the Naval Museum, and the culture of the island itself. But in your trip, the one site that you can’t miss is undoubtedly the Santorini Caldera. So when you book your Santorini hotel for your vacation, make sure you choose a hotel that provides clear, panoramic caldera views.
TIP: I would definitely recommend that you rent a beautiful villa with a view to the caldera. Here are a few ones to choose from