Perched on the remaining wall of an ancient volcano, the Greek town of Oia, Santorini overlooks the Aegean Sea.
Once again, it’s time for my Wednesday photo essay. This time my random search through iPhoto landed on Santorini. And that got me excited. It is one of the most photogenic places on earth. Almost any photo you take has postcard (or blog) potential. This post allowed me to revisit the island and once more enjoy its beauty. My challenge, I immediately discovered, was that Peggy and I had taken 400 plus photos. “Okay, Curt,” I said to me, “I have to do more than one blog.” So expect to find Santorini on my next 3 or 4 Wednesday posts. I think you will enjoy the journey.
The town of Oia cascades down the inner slope of a volcano toward the caldera that was left behind when the volcano exploded. The wall of the volcano recedes off into the distance. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
Some basics: Santorini is a Greek island located in the Aegean Sea, 120 miles (200 kilometers) southeast of the Greek mainland. Once upon a time it was a huge volcano. 2600 years ago it blew its top in a dramatic fashion, destroying much of the Minoan Civilization and giving rise to the myth of Atlantis. All that remains is a large caldera filled with seawater and the weathered edge of what was once the volcano’s wall. Lime-white homes dug into the sides of the cliff perch high above the water and cascade down the mountainside, providing great views of the sea below.
This photo provides a perspective on how high the small communities of Santorini perch above the water. The layers represent different volcanic flows that took place before the volcano erupted, creating one of the largest explosions in written history. I took this photo from our ship as the sun was setting.
Homes are actually built into the volcanic cliff as this photo illustrates. The added insulation means the houses are cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Forget elevators, escalators, or roads. You get to and from your home, hotel, etc. by walking up and down stairs.
Stairways that come in a variety of shapes, sizes…
…and colors.
And lead to oh so many intriguing places such as this… (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
…and this.
Many homes come with attractive patios.
Your patio is your yard, but there isn’t much space.
There is always room for laundry, but forget privacy. What you do on your patio is defined as entertainment by your neighbors above you.
Every view of Oia, Santorini is different, and beautiful.
I really like the whites, pastels and bright blues of Oia. The blue dome is part of a church. NEXT BLOG: How 25 cents saved one million lives. (More on Santorini next Wednesday.)
Wandering through Time and Place 
I love Santorini, too bad that I did not understand anything about photography when I visited the place. Your photos are georgeous…
Thanks, Nina. There are lots of places I visited over the years before I seriously took up photography. And I have the same regret you expressed. 🙂 –Curt
Santorini is truly photogenic and you did it proud!
Thank’s AC. Do you ever get there on your pet circuit? –Curt
What an amazing place. And so different from what I know. I can’t imagine waking up in the morning with that view. How wonderful you were able to go there. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Half the fun of sharing it was my opportunity to revisit Santorini, Carrie. Glad you enjoyed it. There are at least three more blogs I will be going on the island. –Curt
Absolutely gorgeous Curt. I really want to go there. Greece is definitely on the list – maybe next year.
Alison
Thanks Alison. And it should definitely be on your bucket list. One of the nice things about traveling the world, is there are always new places to visit! (Not to mention old favorites to return to.)
These photos are stunning. No wonder you were excited. I have not been to Santorini, but did see the islands of Mykonos, Patmos, and Rhodes. Your photos show how spectacularly beautiful they are and so particularly Greek “Islands,” unlike the mainland.
Thans Crystal. And you are absolutely right. The Greek Islands have a unique feel. Curt
Ohhhhhh loveliness Curt!
Almost more than one can handle. 🙂
Yes, I could live there, quite happily. The place reminded me of John Singer Sargent’s painting of a woman dancing the tarantella on a rooftop in Capri.
Or Zorba. 🙂 –Curt
Post all the pics you want of Santorini. I love seeing them. We may never get to this city, so I’m living vicariously through you and your camera lens. Gorgeous shots. And such rich color.
In addition to the wonderfully uniques architecture and colors, there is something about Mediterranean sunlight that seems to enhance photography. –Curt
Absolutely spectacular. I was there in person in October and my memories were stirred by your pictures – you caught that magic island perfectly. I think I’ll trash my photos, and bookmark your blog posts. 😉
Ooh, October. I am insanely jealous. And thanks. 🙂 –Curt
The photography is gifted! Santorini is one of those places where you want to sit at a cafe and soak in the view after climbing the stairs.
Yes it is Peter. I would like to be there long enough to fully soak it in. Thanks for commenting. –Curt
Gorgeous photos Curt. Truly a postcard worthy setting!
Thanks, and that it is. 🙂 –Curt
I was there and it is a beautiful place to visit. Lovely pics…
Almost surreal. And thanks. –Curt
These pictures are absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed them, Martina. More are on the way. –Curt