History of Santorini
Santorini and the islands Thirassia and Aspronisi are remnants of the
volcanic island Strogyli. The eruption that took place on that island in
1613 BC resulted in the creation of what we now call the caldera of
Santorini and the destruction of the prehistoric civilization.
The name of the island "Thira" comes from the ancient Spartan Thiran
from Sparta who first colonized the island. And the name "Santorini"
derives from the Crusaders who in their way stood for rest near the
Church of St. Irene, so they called the island Santa Irene (Santorini).
Although initially there was a view that the church was the chapel of
St. Irene that existed in Thirassia today are more likely to be the
magnificent early Christian basilica of St. Irini that is located in
Perissa, the ruins of which were discovered in 1992. Before the great
volcanic destruction of prehistoric times the island was round and had
the name Round (Strogili) and later took the name Kallisti (in Ancient
Greek "most beautiful").
After the fall of Constantinople to the Crusaders in 1204, Marco Sanudo,
founded the Duchy of the Aegean, based in Naxos (1207). The other
islands were included in the Duchy of the Aegean or the Duchy of Naxos
was Kimolos, Milos, Ios, Thira (Santorini), Syros, and Anafi. Thira and Thirassia
granted to Jacob Barozzi and remained in this family, with short breaks,
until 1480. Then Santorini was given as dowry by the Duke of Naxos to
his daughter and her husband Domingo Pizani, son of the Duke of Crete.
The island, just after the death of James Crispi, occupied by his
brother John and attached to Naxos. At times the capture of
Constantinople by the Ottomans, many Greek territories were under Latin
domination.
During the 1537 Santorini, following the spine and other Aegean islands,
has accepted the raids of the pirate Barbarossa Hairentin. Barbarossa
conquer Kea, Mykonos and Santorini from the Latin domination and forced
the rulers of the islands to recognize the suzerainty of the Sultan.
Santorini finally was occupied by the Turks in 1566, excluding the
castle of Akrotiri, which is passed to the Turks in 1617. In 1580, the
Cyclades islands were granted important privileges which were renewed in
1628 to 1629 and later. The status of privileges helped organize the
system administration and the development of commercial activity.
Despite the poor soil and the destructive earthquakes that hit the
island, Santorini had agriculture and shipping. In 1770 the population
of the island was about 9000 and as shown by the amount of tax paid by
the island must have been more prosperous than the other islands. In the
early 19th century, the economic prosperity of the island continued, as
well as its maritime. In 1807 during the Russo-Turkish war, Santorini
had to send to the Turkish naval base about fifty sailors which shows
the great development of the Navy on the island. Growth and education
was also seen in the last years of Turkish occupation, and the monastery
of Prophet Elias on the island was one of the most important monasteries
of the Cyclades. On May 5, 1821 Santorini joint forces in the Greek
revolution.
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