Editing Santorini (section)

== History ==
=== Minoan Akrotiri ===
[[File:Fresque du printemps, Akrotiri, Grèce.jpg|thumb|Springtime landscape in a [[Fresco]] from the [[Bronze Age]], Akrotiri]]
[[File:Saffron gatherersSantorini-3.jpg|thumb|The "[[saffron]]-gatherers"]]
The island was the site of one of the [[List of Quaternary volcanic eruptions|largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history]]: the [[Minoan eruption]], sometimes called the Thera eruption, which occurred about 3,600 years ago at the height of the [[Minoan civilization]].<ref name="readersnatural" /> The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by [[volcanic ash]] deposits hundreds of metres deep. It has been suggested that the colossal Santorini volcanic eruption is the source of the legend of the lost civilisation of [[Atlantis]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Atlantis and Santorini: Connecting Myths and Geology|author=Pausanias|publisher=Akrotiri Museum | date=29 August 2023 | url=https://akrotiri-museum.com/2023/08/29/atlantis-and-santorini-connecting-myths-and-geology/}}</ref> The eruption lasted for weeks and caused massive [[tsunami]] waves.<ref>{{cite news |title=Victims of Thera Eruption 3,600 Years Ago Finally Found, 200km Away in Turkey |url=https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2021-12-28/ty-article/victims-of-huge-volcanic-eruption-from-1600-b-c-e-finally-uncovered/0000017f-e0f7-d75c-a7ff-fcff55600000 |work=Haaretz |date=28 December 2021}}</ref>

The region first became volcanically active around 3–4 million years ago,{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} though volcanism on Thera began around 2 million years ago with the extrusion of [[Dacite|dacitic]] lavas from vents around [[Akrotiri (prehistoric city)|Akrotiri]].

Excavations starting in 1967 at the [[Akrotiri (prehistoric city)|Akrotiri]] site under [[Spyridon Marinatos]] have made Thera (not known by this name at the time) the best-known [[Minoan civilization|Minoan]] site outside [[Crete]], homeland of the culture. Only the southern tip of a large town has been uncovered, yet it has revealed complexes of multi-level buildings, streets, and squares with remains of walls standing as high as eight metres, all entombed in the solidified ash of the famous eruption of Thera. The site was not a palace-complex as found in Crete nor was it a conglomeration of merchant warehousing. Its excellent masonry and fine wall-paintings reveal a complex community. A loom-workshop suggests organized textile weaving for export. This [[Bronze Age]] civilization thrived between 3000 and 2000&nbsp;BC, reaching its peak in the period between 2000 and 1630&nbsp;BC.<ref>[http://themodernantiquarian.com/site/10846/akrotiri.html#fieldnotes TheModernAntiquarian.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029160506/http://themodernantiquarian.com/site/10846/akrotiri.html#fieldnotes |date=29 October 2012 }}, C. Michael Hogan, ''Akrotiri'', The Modern Antiquarian (2007).</ref>

Many of the houses in Akrotiri are major structures, some of them three storeys high. Its streets, squares, and walls, sometimes as tall as eight metres, indicated that this was a major town; much is preserved in the layers of ejecta. The houses contain huge ceramic storage jars ([[pithoi]]), mills, and pottery, and many stone staircases are still intact. Noted archaeological remains found in Akrotiri are wall paintings or [[fresco]]es that have kept their original colour well, as they were preserved under many metres of volcanic ash. Judging from the fine artwork, its people were sophisticated and relatively wealthy. Among more complete frescoes found in one house are two [[antelopes]] painted with a confident calligraphic line, a man holding fish strung by their gills, a flotilla of pleasure boats that are accompanied by leaping [[dolphins]], and a scene of women sitting in the shade of light canopies. Fragmentary wall-paintings found at one site are Minoan frescoes that depict "[[saffron]]-gatherers" offering [[crocus]]-stamens to a seated woman, perhaps a [[goddess]] important to the Akrotiri culture. The themes of the Akrotiri frescoes show no relationship to the typical content of the [[Classical Greece|Classical Greek]] décor of 510 BC to 323 BC that depicts the Greek pantheon deities.

The town also had a highly developed drainage system. Pipes with running water and [[water closet]]s found at Akrotiri are the oldest such utilities discovered.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=History – Minoan Akrotiri |url=https://santoriniofficialguides.com/history/ |access-date=29 January 2024 |website=Santorini Official Guides |language=en-US |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129194742/https://santoriniofficialguides.com/history/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The pipes run in twin systems, indicating that Therans used both hot and cold water supplies. The origin of the hot water they circulated in the town probably was [[geothermal power|geothermal]], given the volcano's proximity.

The well preserved ruins of the ancient town are often compared to the spectacular ruins at [[Pompeii]] in Italy. The canopy covering the ruins collapsed in September 2005, killing one tourist and injuring seven; the site was closed until April 2012 while a new canopy was built.

The oldest signs of human settlement are Late [[Neolithic]] (4th millennium BC or earlier), but c. 2000–1650&nbsp;BC Akrotiri developed into one of the Aegean's major [[Bronze Age]] ports, with recovered objects that came not just from Crete, but also from [[Anatolia]], Cyprus, Syria, and Egypt, as well as from the [[Dodecanese]] and the Greek mainland.

==== Dating of the Bronze Age eruption ====
{{Further|Minoan eruption#Eruption dating}}
[[File:Stoa Basilica.jpg|thumb|Stoa Basilica of ancient Thera]]
[[File:Santorini - Grecia - Vista Aerea del promontorio di Ancient Thira - agosto 2018.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the island of Santorini with detail of Mount Profitis Illas and the ruins of ancient Thera (on the [[promontory]] on the left)]]

The [[Minoan eruption]] provides a fixed point for the chronology of the second millennium BC in the Aegean, because evidence of the eruption occurs throughout the region and the site itself contains material culture from outside. The eruption occurred during the "Late Minoan&nbsp;IA" period of [[Minoan chronology]] at Crete and the "Late Cycladic&nbsp;I" period in the surrounding islands.

Archaeological evidence, based on an established chronology of Bronze Age Mediterranean cultures, dated the eruption to around 1500&nbsp;BC.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Warren |first=Peter M. |chapter=The Date of the Thera Eruption in Relation to Aegean-Egyptian Interconnections and the Egyptian Historical Chronology |title=Timelines: Studies in Honour of Manfred Bietak |editor1=Czerny E. |editor2=Hein I. |editor3=Hunger H. |editor4=Melman D. |editor5=Schwab A. |series=Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta, 149 |publisher=Peeters |location=Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium |year=2006 |pages=2: 305–21 |isbn=978-90-429-1730-9}}</ref> These dates, however, conflict with [[radiocarbon dating]] which indicated that the eruption occurred between 1645–1600&nbsp;BC,<ref name="Manning-2006">{{Cite journal |last1=Manning |first1=Sturt W. |last2=Ramsey |first2=Christopher Bronk |last3=Kutschera |first3=Walter |last4=Higham |first4=Thomas |last5=Kromer |first5=Bernd |last6=Steier |first6=Peter |last7=Wild |first7=Eva M. |title=Chronology for the Aegean Late Bronze Age 1700–1400 B.C. |journal=Science |volume=312 |issue=5773 |pages=565–569 |year=2006 |url=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1125682 |doi=10.1126/science.1125682 |access-date=10 March 2007 |pmid=16645092 |bibcode=2006Sci...312..565M |s2cid=21557268 |archive-date=12 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212103757/https://science.sciencemag.org/content/312/5773/565.abstract |url-status=live|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=Aydar-2021>{{Cite journal |last1=Aydar |first1=Erkan |last2=ÇİNer |first2=Atilla |last3=Ersoy |first3=Orkun |last4=ÉCochard |first4=Emilie |last5=Fouache |first5=Eric G. |year=2021 |title=Volcanic ash and tsunami record of the Minoan Late Bronze Age Eruption (Santorini) in a distal setting, southwestern Turkey |journal=Journal of Quaternary Science |volume=36 |issue=4 |pages=586–597 |doi=10.1002/jqs.3314 |bibcode=2021JQS....36..586A |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jqs.3314 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> and tree ring data which yielded a date of 1628 BC.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Baillie |first1=Michael G. L. |last2=Mackenzie |first2=A. R. Munro |year=1988 |title=Irish tree rings, Santorini and volcanic dust veils |journal=Nature |volume=332 |issue=6162 |pages=344–346 |doi=10.1038/332344a0 |bibcode=1988Natur.332..344B |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/332344a0|url-access=subscription }}</ref> For those, and other reasons, the previous culturally based chronology has generally been questioned.<ref name="Manning-2022">{{Cite journal |last=Manning |first=Sturt W. |year=2022 |title=Second Intermediate Period date for the Thera (Santorini) eruption and historical implications |journal=PLOS ONE |publisher=Public Library of Science |volume=17 |issue=9 |page=e0274835 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0274835 |doi-access=free |pmid=36126026 |pmc=9488803 |bibcode=2022PLoSO..1774835M}}</ref>

In ''[[The Parting of the Sea|The Parting of the Sea: How Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Plagues Shaped the Exodus Story]]'', geologist [[Barbara J. Sivertsen]] theorizes a causal link between this eruption and the plagues of the [[The Exodus|Exodus]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sivertsen |first=Barbara J. |title=The Parting of the Sea: How Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Plagues Shaped the Story of the Exodus |publisher=Princeton University Press|year=2009 |isbn=978-0-691-13770-4}}</ref>

=== Ancient period ===
[[File:Cultural Centre Megaro Gyzi 04.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Picture of a young girl of Santorini, Cultural Center Megaro Gyzi, [[Fira]]]]
[[File:Skaros Rock.jpg|thumb|left|[[Skaros Rock]], originally the location of medieval fortifications]]
[[File:Episkopi Gonias (2797558143).jpg|thumb|The Byzantine [[Panagia Episkopi|Church of Panagia Episkopi]]]]
[[File:GR-santorini-pyrgos.jpg|thumb|[[Pyrgos Kallistis]] village]]
[[File:Santorini pyrgos kastellkirche 160707.jpg|thumb|''Presentation of the Theotokos'' church, [[Pyrgos Kallistis|Pyrgos]] village]]

Santorini remained unoccupied throughout the rest of the Bronze Age, during which time the Greeks took over [[Crete]]. At [[Knossos]], in a LMIIIA context (14th century BC), seven [[Linear B]] texts while calling upon "all the deities" make sure to grant primacy to an elsewhere-unattested entity called ''qe-ra-si-ja'' and, once, ''qe-ra-si-jo''. If the endings ''{{not a typo|-ia[s]}}'' and ''-ios'' represent an ethnic suffix, then this means "The One From {{not a typo|Qeras[os]}}". If the initial consonant were aspirated, then *Qhera- would have become "Thera-" in later Greek. "Therasia" and its ethnikon "Therasios" are both attested in later Greek; and, since ''-sos'' was itself a genitive suffix in the Aegean [[Sprachbund]], *Qeras[os] could also shrink to *Qera. If ''qe-ra-si-ja'' was an ethnikon first, then in following the entity the Cretans also feared whence it came.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.therafoundation.org/articles/religionmyths/minoanqerasijathereligiousimpactofthetheravolcanoonminoancrete |title=Minoan Qe-Ra-Si-Ja. The Religious Impact of the Thera Volcano on Minoan Crete|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614205738/http://www.therafoundation.org/articles/religionmyths/minoanqerasijathereligiousimpactofthetheravolcanoonminoancrete|archive-date=14 June 2006}}</ref>

Probably after what is called the [[Bronze Age collapse]], [[Phoenicians]] founded a site on Thera. [[Herodotus]] reports that they called the island Callista and lived on it for eight generations.<ref>[[Histories (Herodotus)|Hist.]] IV. 147.</ref> In the ninth century BC, [[Dorians]] founded the main Hellenic city on Mesa Vouno, {{cvt|396|m|0}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]]. This group later claimed that they had named the city and the island after their leader, [[Theras]]. Today, that city is referred to as [[Ancient Thera]].

In his ''[[Argonautica]]'', written in Hellenistic Egypt in the third century BC, [[Apollonius Rhodius]] includes an origin and sovereignty myth of Thera being given by [[Triton (mythology)|Triton]] in Libya to the Greek [[Argonauts|Argonaut]] [[Euphemus]], son of [[Poseidon]], in the form of a clod of dirt. After carrying the dirt next to his heart for several days, Euphemus dreamt that he nursed the dirt with milk from his breast, and that the dirt turned into a beautiful woman with whom he had sex. The woman then told him that she was a daughter of Triton named [[Calliste (mythology)|Calliste]], and that when he threw the dirt into the sea it would grow into an island for his descendants to live on. The poem goes on to claim that the island was named Thera after Euphemus' descendant [[Theras]], son of [[Autesion]], the leader of a group of refugee settlers from [[Lemnos]].

The Dorians have left a number of inscriptions incised in stone, in the vicinity of the temple of [[Apollo]], attesting to [[Pederasty in ancient Greece|pederastic relations]] between the authors and their lovers ([[eromenos|eromenoi]]). These inscriptions, found by [[:de:Friedrich Hiller von Gaertringen (Epigraphiker)|Friedrich Hiller von Gaertringen]], have been thought by some archaeologists to be of a ritual, celebratory nature, because of their large size, careful construction and&nbsp;– in some cases&nbsp;– execution by craftsmen other than the authors. According to [[Herodotus]],<ref>[[Histories (Herodotus)|Hist.]] IV.149–165</ref> following a drought of seven years, Thera sent out colonists who founded a number of cities in northern Africa, including [[Cyrene, Libya|Cyrene]]. In the fifth century BC, Dorian Thera did not join the [[Delian League]] with [[Athens]]; and during the [[Peloponnesian War]], Thera sided with Dorian Sparta, against Athens. The Athenians took the island during the war, but lost it again after the [[Battle of Aegospotami]]. During the Hellenistic period, the island was a major naval base for [[Ptolemaic Egypt]].

=== Medieval and Ottoman period ===
[[File:I Santellini - Buondelmonti Cristoforo - 1420.jpg|thumb|left|Medieval map of Santorini by [[Cristoforo Buondelmonti]]]]
As with other Greek territories, Thera then was ruled by the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]]. When the [[Roman Empire]] was divided, the island passed to the eastern side of the Empire which today is known as the [[Byzantine Empire]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2020 |title=Thera – The Ancient City |url=https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/06/thera-the-ancient-city/134008 |access-date=3 July 2020 |website=HeritageDaily – Archaeology News |language=en-US |archive-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703213628/https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/06/thera-the-ancient-city/134008 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to [[George Cedrenus]], the volcano erupted again in the summer of 727, the tenth year of the reign of [[Leo III the Isaurian]].<ref>George Cedrenus, Σύνοψις ἱστορίων, Vol I, p. 795.</ref> He writes: "In the same year, in the summer, a vapour like an oven's fire boiled up for days out of the middle of the islands of Thera and Therasia from the depths of the sea, and the whole place burned like fire, little by little thickening and turning to stone, and the air seemed to be a fiery torch." This terrifying explosion was interpreted as a divine omen against the worship of religious [[icon]]s<ref>[[Theophanes the Confessor]], ''Chronography'' pp. 621-622 : «ος [ο Λέων] την κατ’ αυτού θείαν οργήν υπέρ εαυτού λογισάμενος». Νικηφόρος σελ. 64 : «Ταύτά φασιν ακούσαντα τον βασιλέα υπολαμβάνειν θείας οργής είναι μηνύματα».</ref><ref>Ioannis Panagiotopoulos, «Το ηφαίστειο της Θήρας και η Eικονομαχία». Θεολογία 80 (2009), pp. 235–253.</ref> and gave the emperor [[Leo III the Isaurian]] the justification he needed to begin implementing his [[Byzantine Iconoclasm|Iconoclasm]] policy.

The name "Santorini" first appears {{circa|1153–1154}} in the work of the Muslim geographer [[al-Idrisi]], as "Santurin", from the island's patron saint, [[Agape, Chionia, and Irene|Saint Irene of Thessalonica]].<ref name="EI2">{{EI2 |volume=9 |title=Santurin Adasi̊ |page=20 |last=Savvides |first=A. }}</ref> After the [[Fourth Crusade]], it was occupied by the [[Duchy of Naxos]] which held it up to circa 1280 when it was reconquered by [[Licario]] (the claims of earlier historians that the island had been held by [[Jacopo I Barozzi]] and his son as a fief have been refuted in the second half of the twentieth century);<ref>Silvano Borsari, "Studi sulle colonie veneziane in Romania nel XIII secolo", 1966, pp. 35–37 and 79.</ref><ref>{{Setton-A History of the Crusades |author=Louise Buenger Robbert |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tgfMNfBIgSwC&pg=PA432 |chapter=Venice and the Crusades|volume=5|pages=379–451}} p. 432</ref><ref>Marina Koumanoudi, "The Latins in the Aegean after 1204: Interdependence and Interwoven Interests," in ''Urbs capta: The Fourth Crusade and its Consequences'', 2005, p.262</ref> it was again reconquered from the Byzantines circa 1301 by [[Iacopo II Barozzi]], a member of the Cretan branch of the Venetian [[Barozzi]] family, whose descendant held it until it was annexed in {{circa|1335}} by [[Niccolo Sanudo]] after various legal and military conflicts.<ref>Marina Koumanoudi, "The Latins in the Aegean after 1204: Interdependence and Interwoven Interests," in ''Urbs capta: The Fourth Crusade and its Consequences'', 2005, p.263</ref> In 1318–1331 and 1345–1360 it was raided by the [[Anatolian beyliks|Turkish]] principalities of [[Menteshe]] and [[Aydınids|Aydın]], but did not suffer much damage.<ref name="EI2" /> Because of the Venetians the island became home to a sizable Catholic community and is still the seat of a [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Santorini|Catholic bishopric]].
[[File:Santorini - Dapper Olfert - 1688.jpg|thumb|Map of Santorini by [[Olfert Dapper]], 1688]]
From the 15th century on, the suzerainty of the [[Republic of Venice]] over the island was recognized in a series of treaties by the [[Ottoman Empire]], but this did not stop [[Ottoman wars in Europe|Ottoman raids]], until it was captured by the Ottoman admiral [[Piyale Pasha]] in 1576, as part of a process of annexation of most remaining Latin possessions in the Aegean.<ref name="EI2" /> It became part of the semi-autonomous domain of the sultan's Jewish favourite, [[Joseph Nasi]]. Santorini retained its privileged position in the 17th century, but suffered in turn from Venetian raids during the frequent [[Ottoman–Venetian wars]] of the period, even though there were no Muslims on the island.<ref name="EI2" />

Santorini was captured briefly by the [[Russian Empire|Russians]] under [[Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov|Alexey Orlov]] during the [[Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774]], but returned to Ottoman control after.

=== 19th century ===
[[File:ETH-BIB-Santorin Georg-Vulkan 22.02.1866-Dia 247-10252.tif|thumb|Erupting volcano on Santorini in 1866]]
In 1807, the islanders were forced by the [[Sublime Porte]] to send 50 sailors to Mykonos to serve in the [[Ottoman navy]].<ref name=ThiraMayor>{{cite web |title=Σημεία αντιφώνησης του Προέδρου της Δημοκρατίας κ.Προκοπίου Παυλοπούλου κατά την ανακήρυξή του σ' Επίτιμο Δημότη του Δήμου Θήρας |work=Aρχική - Προεδρία της Δημοκρατίας |trans-title=Reply to the President of the Republic Mr. Prokopiou Pavlopoulos during his proclamation as Honorary Citizen of the Municipality of Thira |publisher=Presidency of the Hellenic Republic |date=17 October 2019 |language=Greek |url=https://www.presidency.gr/simeia-antifonisis-toy-proedroy-tis-dimokratias-k-prokopioy-paylopoyloy-kata-tin-anakiryxi-toy-s-epitimo-dimoti-toy-dimoy-thiras/ |accessdate=19 March 2022 |author1=Ελευθερία }}</ref>

In 1810, Santorini with 32 ships possessed the seventh largest of the Greek fleet after Kefallinia (118), Hydra (120), Psara (60), Ithaca (38) Spetsai (60) and Skopelos (35).<ref name= Economou>{{cite web |last1=Economou |first1=Emmanouil M.L. |last2=Kyriazis |first2=Nicholas C. |last3=Prassa |first3=Annita |title=The Greek Merchant Fleet as a National Navy During the War of Independence 1800–1830 |publisher=MPRA |date=2016 |url=https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/76414/1/MPRA_paper_76414.pdf |accessdate=29 April 2022 |archive-date=11 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511044350/https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/76414/1/MPRA_paper_76414.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the last years of Ottoman rule, the majority of residents were farmers and seafarers who exported their abundant produce, while the level of education was improving on the island, with the Monastery of Profitis Ilias being one of the most important monastic centres in the Cyclades.<ref name= ThiraMayor />

In 1821, the island was home to 13,235 inhabitants, which within a year had risen to 15,428.<ref name=Rssing1>{{cite web |title=Σαντορίνη και Επανάσταση του 1821 |trans-title=Santorini and the Revolution of 1821 |publisher=Rssing |date=21 March 2014 |url=https://unslimmed40.rssing.com/chan-19846152/article70.html |accessdate=20 March 2022 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424165319/https://unslimmed40.rssing.com/chan-19846152/article70.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Greek War of Independence ===
As part of its plans to foment a [[Greek War of Independence|revolt against the Ottoman Empire and gain Greek Independence]], [[Alexander Ypsilantis|Alexandros Ypsilantis]], the head of the [[Filiki Eteria]] in early 1821, dispatched Dimitrios Themelis from Patmos and Evangelis Matzarakis ( –1824), a sea captain from Kefalonia who had Santorini connections to establish a network of supporters in the Cyclades.<ref name=Mazower>{{cite book |last=Mazower |first=Mark |title=The Greek Revolution: 1821 and the Making of Modern Europe |publisher=Allen Lane |date=2021 |pages=144, 148, 157–160 |type=Hardback |isbn=978-0-241-00410-4}}</ref> As his authority,{{Clarify|reason=What does "as his authority" mean?|date=August 2022}} Matzarakis had a letter from Ypsilantis (dated 29 December 1820) addressed to the notables of Santorini and the Orthodox [[metropolitan bishop]] Zacharias Kyriakos (served 1814–1842). At the time, the population of Santorini was divided between those who supported independence, and (particularly among the Catholics and non-Orthodox) those who were ambivalent or distrustful of a revolt being directed by [[Hydra (island)|Hydra]] and [[Spetses]] or were fearful of the sultan's revenge. While the island didn't come out in direct support of the revolt, {{Clarify span|they did send 100 barrels of wine to the Greek fleet as well in April 1821,|Does this clause begin a list?|date=August 2022}} 71 sailors, a priest and the [[presbyter]] Nikolaos Dekazas, to serve on the Spetsiote fleet.<ref name= ThiraMayor />

Because of the lack of majority support for direct participation in the revolt, it was necessary for Matzarakis to enlist the aid of Kefalonians living in Santorini to, on 5 May 1821<ref name= ThiraMayor /> (the feast day of the patron saint of the island), raise the flag of the revolution and then expel the Ottoman officials from the island.<ref name= Mazower /> The [[First Hellenic Republic|Provisional Administration of Greece]] organized the Aegean islands into six provinces, one of which was Santorini and appointed Matzarakis its governor in April 1822.<ref name="AD">{{cite web |date=1983 |title=Σφραγιδες Ελευθεριας 1821–1832: Σφραγίδες Κοινοτήτων – Μοναστηρίων Προσωρινής Διοικήσεως τής Ελλάδος' Ελληνικής Πολιτείας |trans-title=Seals of Freedom 1821–1832: Seals of Communities – Monasteries of Provisional Administration of Greece, Greek State |url=http://www.apostoliki-diakonia.gr/gr_main/catehism/theologia_zoi/category_lib/Afieromata/Eikosiena/text1821/%CE%A3%CF%86%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%AF%CE%B4%CE%B5%CF%82%20%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%B5%CF%85%CE%B8%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82%201821-1832,%20%CF%83%CF%86%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%AF%CE%B4%CE%B5%CF%82%20%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%84%CE%AE%CF%84%CF%89%CE%BD-%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%AF%CF%89%CE%BD.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221029135416/https://apostoliki-diakonia.gr/gr_main/catehism/theologia_zoi/category_lib/Afieromata/Eikosiena/text1821/%CE%A3%CF%86%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%AF%CE%B4%CE%B5%CF%82%20%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%B5%CF%85%CE%B8%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82%201821-1832,%20%CF%83%CF%86%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%AF%CE%B4%CE%B5%CF%82%20%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%84%CE%AE%CF%84%CF%89%CE%BD-%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%AF%CF%89%CE%BD.pdf |archive-date=29 October 2022 |accessdate=20 March 2022 |publisher=Historical and Ethnologica' Society of Greece |pages=43, 44}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Μαντζαράκης Ευαγγέλης: (Μαντζοράκης, Μαντσαράκης Γλυκούδης, Ματζαράκης Ευάγγελος) |trans-title=Mantzarakis Evangelis: (Mantzorakis, Mantsarakis Glykoudis, Matzarakis Evangelos) |publisher=Foundation of the Greek Parliament for Parliamentarism and Democracy |date= |url=https://representatives1821.gr/%CE%BC%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B6%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%B5%CF%85%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%B3%CE%AD%CE%BB%CE%B7%CF%82/ |accessdate=20 March 2022 |archive-date=29 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129130705/https://representatives1821.gr/%CE%BC%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B6%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%B5%CF%85%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%B3%CE%AD%CE%BB%CE%B7%CF%82/ |url-status=live}}</ref> While he was able to raise a large amount of money (double that collected on Naxos), he was soon found to lack the diplomatic skills needed to convince the islanders who had enjoyed considerable autonomy to now accept direction from a central authority and contribute tax revenue to it. He claimed to his superiors that the islanders needed "political re-education" as they did not understand why they had to pay higher taxes than those levied under the Ottomans in order to support the struggle for independence. The hostility against the taxes caused many of the tax collectors to resign.

Things were also not helped by the governor's authoritarian character, arbitrariness and arrests of prominent islanders losing him the support of Zacharias Kyriakos, who had initially supported Matzarakis. In retaliation Matzarakis accused him of being a "Turkophile" and had the archbishop imprisoned and then exiled him. The abbots of the monasteries, the priests and the prelates, complained to [[Demetrios Ypsilantis]], president of the [[First National Assembly at Epidaurus|National Assembly]].

Matzarakis soon had to hire bodyguards as the island descended into open revolt against him.<ref name= Mazower /> Fearful for his life Matzarakis later fled the island,<ref name= Mazower /> and was dismissed from his governorship by Demetrios Ypsilantis. Mazarakis however later represented Santorini in the National Assembly and following his death was succeeded in that position in November 1824 by Pantoleon Augerino.

Once they heard of [[Chios massacre|massacres]] of the Greek population of [[Chios]] in April 1822, many islanders became fearful of [[Massacres during the Greek War of Independence|Ottoman reprisals]], with two villages stating they were prepared to surrender,<ref name= Mazower /> though sixteen monks from the Monastery of Profitis Ilias, led by their abbot Gerasimos Mavrommatis declared in writing their support for the revolt.<ref>{{cite web |title=Η Ιερά Μονή Προφήτου Ηλιού Θήρας |date=31 October 2021 |trans-title=The Holy Monastery of Profitos Ilios Thira |publisher=Ιερά Μονή Προφήτου Ηλιού Θήρας |url=https://www.aparchi.net/i-moni/ |accessdate=22 March 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307115838/https://www.aparchi.net/i-moni/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Four commissioners for the Aegean islands (among them, Benjamin of Lesvos and Konstantinos Metaxas) appointed by the Provisional Administration of Greece arrived in July 1822 to investigate the issues on Santorini. The commissioners were uncompromising in their support for Matzarakis. With news from Chios fresh in their minds the island's notables eventually arrested Metaxas, with the intention of handing him over to the Ottomans in order to prove their loyalty. He was rescued by his Ionian guards.

Matters became so heated that Antonios Barbarigos ( –1824) who had been serving in the [[First National Assembly at Epidaurus]] since 20 January 1820 was seriously wounded in the head by a knife attack on Santorini in October 1822 during a dispute between the factions. In early 1823, the [[Second National Assembly at Astros]], imposed a contribution of 90,000 grosis on Santorini to fund the fight for independence, while in 1836 they also had to contribute in 1826 to the obligatory loan of 190,000 grosis imposed on the Cyclades.<ref name= Rssing1 />
[[File:Santorin – L'échelle de Phira - Baud-bovy Daniel Boissonnas Frédéric - 1919.jpg|thumb|Fira Skala Port in 1919]]
In decree 573 issued by the National Assembly 17 May 1823, Santorini was recognized as one of 15 provinces in the Greek controlled Aegean (nine in the Cyclades and six in the Sporades).<ref name=AD />

The island became part of the fledgling Greek state under the London Protocol of 3 February 1830, rebelled against the government of [[Ioannis Kapodistrias]] in 1831, and became definitively part of the independent [[Kingdom of Greece (Wittelsbach)|Kingdom of Greece]] in 1832, with the [[Treaty of Constantinople (1832)|Treaty of Constantinople]].<ref name="EI2" />

Santorini joined an insurrection that had broken out in Nafplio on 1 February 1862 against the rule of King Otto of Greece. However, the royal authorities was able to quickly restore control and the revolt had been suppressed by 20 March of that year. However, the unrest arose again later in the year which lead to the [[23 October 1862 Revolution]] and the overthrow of King Otto.

=== World War II ===
[[File:Wojska niemieckie na greckiej wyspie wulkanicznej Santorin (2-637).jpg|thumb|German soldiers on Santorini in 1944]]
During the [[World War II|Second World War]], Santorini was occupied in 1941 by Italian forces and then by the Germans following the [[Armistice of Cassibile|Italian armistice]] in 1943. In 1944, the German garrison on [[Raid on Santorini|Santorini was raided]] by a group of British [[Special Boat Service]] Commandos, killing most of its men. Five locals were later shot in reprisal, including the mayor.<ref name="Mortimer">Mortimer, Gavin. ''The Special Boat Squadron in WW2'', Osprey, 2013, {{ISBN|1782001891}}.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lewis |first=Damien |title=Churchill's Secret Warriors |location= |publisher=Quercus |date=2014 |type= |isbn=978-1-84866-917-8}}</ref>

=== Post-war ===
In general, the island's economy continued to decline following World War II, with a number of factories closing as a lot of industrial activity relocated to Athens. In an attempt to improve the local economy, the Union of Santorini Cooperatives was established 1947 to process, export and promote the islands agriculture products, in particular its wine. In 1952, they constructed near the village of Monolithos what is today the island's only remaining tomato processing factory. The island's tourism in the early 1950s generally took the form of small numbers of wealthy tourists on yacht cruises though the Aegean. The island's children would present arriving passengers with flowers and bid them happy sailing by lighting small lanterns along the steps from [[Fira]] down to the port, offering them a beautiful farewell spectacle. Once such visitor was the actress [[Olivia de Havilland]], who visited the island in September 1955 at the invitation of Petros Nomikos.<ref>{{cite book |last=Amburn |first=Ellis |title=Olivia de Havilland and the Golden Age of Hollywood |location=Lanham, MD |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |date=2018 |page=241 |type=Hardback |isbn=978-1-4930-3409-3}}</ref>

In the early 1950s, the shipping magnate Evangelos P. Nomikos and his wife Loula decided to support their birthplace and so asked residents to choose whether they wanted the couple to pay for the construction of either a hotel or a hospital, to which local authorities replied that they would prefer a hotel. 

In 1954, Santorini had approximately 12,000 inhabitants and very few visitors. The only modes of transport on the island were a jeep, a small bus and the island's traditional donkeys and mules.

=== 1956 earthquake ===
At 05:11 local time ([[Central European Summer Time|CEST]], 03:11 UTC) on 9 July 1956, the [[1956 Amorgos earthquake]] (magnitude{{snd}} depending on the particular study{{snd}} of 7.5,<ref name= Tsampouraki-Kraounaki>{{cite journal |last1=Tsampouraki-Kraounaki |first1=Konstantina |last2=Sakellariou |first2=Dimitris |last3=Rousakis |first3=Grigoris |last4=Morfis |first4=Ioannis |last5=Panagiotopoulos |first5=Ioannis |last6=Livanos |first6=Isidoros |last7=Manta |first7=Kyriaki |last8=Paraschos |first8=Fratzeska |last9=Papatheodorou |first9=George |title=The Santorini-Amorgos Shear Zone: Evidence for Dextral Transtension in the South Aegean Back-Arc Region, Greece |journal=Geosciences |volume=11 |issue=5 |publisher=MDPI |place=Basel, Switzerland |year=2021 |page=216 |doi=10.3390/geosciences11050216 |bibcode=2021Geosc..11..216T |url=https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/11/5/216/pdf?version=1621332546 |doi-access=free |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424165308/https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/geosciences/geosciences-11-00216/article_deploy/geosciences-11-00216-v2.pdf?version=1621332546 |url-status=live}}</ref> 7.6,<ref name= Tsampouraki-Kraounaki /> 7.7<ref name= Papadimitriou2005>{{cite journal |last1=Papadimitriou |first1=Eleftheria |last2=Sourlas |first2=Georgios |last3=Karakostas |first3=Vassilios |title=Seismicity Variations in the Southern Aegean, Greece, Before and After the Large (M7.7) 1956 Amorgos Earthquake Due to Evolving Stress |journal=Pure and Applied Geophysics |year=2005 |volume=162 |issue=5 |pages=783–804 |doi=10.1007/s00024-004-2641-z |bibcode=2005PApGe.162..783P |s2cid=140605036 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226437052}}</ref> or 7.8<ref name=Okal2009>{{cite journal |last1=Okal |first1=Emile A. |last2=Synolakis |first2=Costas E. |last3=Uslu |first3=Burak |last4=Kalligeris |first4=Nikos |last5=Voukouvalas |first5=Evangelos |title=The 1956 earthquake and tsunami in Amorgos, Greece |journal=Geophysical Journal International |volume=178 |issue=3 |pages=1533–1554 |year=2009 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04237.x |bibcode=2009GeoJI.178.1533O |doi-access= free}}</ref>) struck {{cvt|30|km}} south of the island of [[Amorgos]], about {{cvt|50|km}} from Santorini. It was the largest earthquake of the 20th century in Greece and also had a devastating impact on Santorini.<ref name= Okal2009 /><ref name= Papadimitriou2005 /> It was followed by aftershocks, the most significant being the first occurring at 05:24, 13 minutes after the main shock, which had a 7.2 magnitude.<ref name= Okal2009 /> This aftershock which originated close to the island of [[Anafi]] is believed to have been responsible for most of the damage and casualties on Santorini.<ref name= Okal2009 /> The earthquake was accompanied by a [[tsunami]] which, while much higher at other islands, is estimated to have reached 3 metres at Perissa and 2 metres at Vlichada on Santorini.<ref name= Okal2009 />

Immediately following the earthquake, the Greek Prime Minister [[Konstantinos Karamanlis]] declared Santorini a state of "large-scale local disaster" and visited the island to inspect the situation on 14 July.<ref name= Simos />

Many countries had offered to send relief efforts, though Greece refused to accept the offer of the United Kingdom to send warships to help from Cyprus where they were involved in the [[Cyprus Emergency]].<ref name= Simos />

As there was no airport, the Greek military made air drops of food, tents and supplies and camps for homeless people were established on the outskirts of Fira.<ref name= NYTimes2>{{Citation |title=20 Still Missing In Aegean Quake |newspaper=New York Times |date=11 July 1956 |page=5 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/11/archives/20-still-missing-in-aegean-quake-death-toll-on-thera-put-at-4360-of.html |accessdate=20 March 2022 |archive-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424052859/https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/11/archives/20-still-missing-in-aegean-quake-death-toll-on-thera-put-at-4360-of.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

On Santorini, the earthquakes killed 53 people and injured another 100.<ref name= NYTimes1>{{Citation |last=Sedgwick |first=A.C. |title=Quake, Tidal Wave Hit Aegean; At Least 42 Dead in Greek Isles |newspaper=New York Times |date=10 July 1956 |pages=1, 6 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/10/archives/quake-tidal-wave-hit-aegean-at-least-42-dead-in-greek-isles-greek.html |accessdate=20 March 2022 |archive-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424052858/https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/10/archives/quake-tidal-wave-hit-aegean-at-least-42-dead-in-greek-isles-greek.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Simos>{{cite web |last=Simos |first=Andriana |title=On This Day: The 1956 Santorini earthquake and its devastating aftermath |publisher=The Greek Herald |date=9 July 2020 |url=https://greekherald.com.au/culture/history/on-this-day-the-1956-santorini-earthquake-and-its-devastating-aftermath/ |accessdate=24 April 2022 |archive-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424051357/https://greekherald.com.au/culture/history/on-this-day-the-1956-santorini-earthquake-and-its-devastating-aftermath/ |url-status=live}}</ref> 35% of the island's houses collapsed and 45% suffered major or minor damage.<ref name= Simos /> In total, 529 houses were destroyed, 1,482 were severely damaged and 1,750 lightly damaged.<ref name= Simos /> Almost all public buildings were completely destroyed. One of the largest buildings that survived unscathed was the newly built Hotel Atlantis, which allowed it to be used as a temporary hospital and to house public services. The greatest damage was experienced on the Western side along the edge of the caldera, especially at Oia, with parts of the ground collapsing into the sea. The damage from the earthquake reduced most of the population to extreme poverty and caused many to leave the island in search of better opportunities, with most settling in Athens.<ref name= Simos />

=== 2025 earthquakes ===
{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=|frame-width=200|frame-height=300|from=2025 Santorini earthquake.map|frame-latitude=36.5|frame-longitude=25.6|zoom=9|text=Location of shocks of M>4 for the 2025 Santorini earthquakes ([[c:Data:2025 Santorini earthquake.map|map data]])}}Santorini experienced an [[earthquake swarm]] in early February 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-06 |title=The swarm of earthquakes shaking Santorini prompts Greece to declare an emergency |url=https://apnews.com/article/greece-earthquakes-volcanos-santorini-emergency-14489f90091ad6150ccffa36ca13d2a3 |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrews |first=Robin George |date=2025-02-08 |title=Santorini is at the center of a mystery: Why do earthquakes keep shaking the island? |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/santorini-earthquakes-volcano-cause-greece |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=[[National Geographic]] |language=en}}</ref> Hundreds of tremors occurred in the Aegean Sea in the vicinity of the island, some measuring up to magnitude 5. They are expected to last for weeks. As a precaution, much of the population of Santorini was evacuated by sea and by air.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-04 |title=Thousands evacuate Santorini after earthquakes shake Greek island |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjde94dnj08o |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=bbc.com}}</ref>

During the weekend of 1 and 2 February, more than 200 undersea tremors were detected. The epicenters were primarily in a growing cluster between the islands of Santorini, [[Anafi]], [[Amorgos]], [[Ios]] and the uninhabited [[islet]] of [[Anydros]]. Many of the earthquakes registered magnitudes above 4.5 on the [[Moment magnitude scale]]. The strongest earthquake of the swarm occurred on 10 February, and measured {{M|w|5.3}}.<ref>{{cite anss|M 5.3–12 km ENE of Mesariá, Greece|2025|us7000pb82}}</ref> While experts determined the earthquakes were tectonic rather than volcanic in nature, the pattern and frequency of seismic activity prompted significant concern among scientists and authorities.<ref name="Rhode Island" /> Seismologist Manolis Skordylis indicated on public radio that a [[Fault (geology)|seismic fault line]] had been activated with potential to cause an earthquake exceeding magnitude 6.0. Scientists emphasized that the main seismic event might not yet have occurred.<ref name="Lovett-2006" />

Greek authorities implemented several emergency measures, which included the deployment of emergency crews and a 26-member rescue team with a rescue dog to the region.<ref name="Rhode Island" /> Schools were closed on Santorini, Anafi, Amorgos, and Ios.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Liakos |first1=Chris |last2=Stockwell |first2=Billy |date=2025-02-02 |title=Schools shut as tremors shake Greece's 'Instagram island' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/02/travel/santorini-earthquake-greece-intl/index.html |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Access to areas near cliffs was restricted due to increased risk of landslides. In Fira, several gathering points for evacuation were established.<ref name="Rhode Island" /> Access to shorelines and certain ports, including Santorini's old port, was restricted due to [[tsunami]] risk, with residents instructed to move inland.<ref name="Lovett-2006" />

Greece's [[Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection|Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection]] [[Vasilis Kikilias]] emphasized the precautionary nature of the response. [[Prime Minister of Greece]] [[Kyriakos Mitsotakis]], who spoke while in [[Brussels]], called for calm while acknowledging the intensity of the earthquake swarm. Hotels were told to drain their swimming pools to minimize potential earthquake damage to structures.<ref name="Rhode Island" /> [[Aegean Airlines]] doubled its flight frequency between [[Athens]] and Santorini for a two-day period to carry out evacuations. Ferry companies increased their service frequency in response to surging demand, resulting in long queues forming at evacuation ports.<ref name="Lovett-2006" /> Around 6,000 residents left the island by ferry beginning on 2 February, while up to 2,700 left by air from 3 to 4 February. The South Aegean Regional Fire Department was placed on general alert.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Aikman |first1=Ian |last2=Stallard |first2=Esme |date=2025-02-04 |title=Thousands evacuate Santorini amid earthquake fears |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjde94dnj08o |access-date=2025-02-04 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> A state of emergency was declared in Santorini by the Greek government on 6 February.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-06 |title=Earthquake surge prompts state of emergency on Greek island of Santorini |url=https://apnews.com/article/greece-earthquakes-volcanos-santorini-emergency-14489f90091ad6150ccffa36ca13d2a3 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

In Turkey, the [[Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency]] (AFAD) and the [[General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (Turkey)|Mineral Research and Exploration General Directorate]] (MTA) warned that the earthquakes could lead to volcanic activity around the [[Kolumbo]] submarine volcano off Santorini.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-06 |title=Turkish agency warns that earthquakes in Aegean Sea may trigger volcanic activity |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-agency-warns-that-earthquakes-in-aegean-sea-may-trigger-volcanic-activity-205492 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Hurriyet Daily News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
[[File:Sea Diamond - Against Rocks.jpg|thumb|Sinking of [[M/S Sea Diamond|''Sea Diamond'']], 2007]]

The expansion of tourism in recent years has resulted in the growth of the economy and population.<ref name="FE 2024/07/22">{{Cite magazine |last=Chrepa |first=Eleni |date=21 July 2024 |title=Tourism has hijacked Santorini's wine production as agricultural land becomes exorbitant while visitor numbers continue to climb |url=https://fortune.com/europe/2024/07/22/tourism-has-hijacked-santorini-wine-production-as-agricultural-land-becomes-exorbitant-while-visitor-numbers-continue-to-climb-greece/ |access-date=22 July 2024 |magazine=Fortune Europe |language=en}}</ref> Santorini was ranked the world's top island by many magazines and travel sites, including the ''Travel+Leisure Magazine'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2011/islands/top-10-islands/237 |work=Travel+Leisure |title=2011 World's Best Awards |access-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712204603/http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2011/islands/top-10-islands/237 |archive-date=12 July 2011}}</ref> the ''BBC'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/slideshow/20111123-worlds-best-islands |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=1 December 2011 |title=World's Best Islands |archive-date=1 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201185032/http://www.bbc.com/travel/slideshow/20111123-worlds-best-islands |url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as the ''US News''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://travel.usnews.com/Rankings/Best_Islands_in_the_World/ |magazine=US News |access-date=1 April 2014 |title=World's Best Island |archive-date=8 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408180605/http://travel.usnews.com/Rankings/Best_Islands_in_the_World/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> An estimated 2 million tourists visit annually.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Helena |title=Santorini's popularity soars but locals say it has hit saturation point |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/28/santorini-popularity-soars-but-locals-say-it-has-hit-saturation-point |access-date=28 August 2017 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=28 August 2017 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828161359/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/28/santorini-popularity-soars-but-locals-say-it-has-hit-saturation-point |url-status=live}}</ref> Santorini has been emphasising sustainable development and the promotion of special forms of tourism, the organization of major events such as conferences and sport activities.

The island's [[pumice]] quarries have been closed since 1986, in order to preserve the caldera. In 2007, the cruise ship ''[[MS Sea Diamond]]'' ran aground and sank inside the [[caldera]]. As of 2019, Santorini is popular with Asian couples who come to the island to have pre-wedding photos taken against the backdrop of the landscape.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Horowitz |first1=Jason |last2=Boushnak |first2=Laura |title=The Bride, the Groom and the Greek Sunset: A Perfect Wedding Picture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/06/world/europe/greece-santorini-wedding-photography-chinese-couples.html |access-date=8 December 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=6 August 2019 |archive-date=8 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208152507/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/06/world/europe/greece-santorini-wedding-photography-chinese-couples.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Santorini-20070808-058248-panorama-small.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|center|{{center|Panoramic view of Santorini's principal city, Fira.}}]]