Santorini, officially Thira is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, about 100 km north of Crete. It is the largest island of a small 5-group of islands with only two of them inhabited. They form a circular archipelago around the Santorini caldera.

One of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, the Minoan eruption, took place about 3,600 years ago and that had a tremendous impact on culture and living conditions in the whole region.

It is the most active volcanic Centre in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, though what remains today is chiefly a water-filled caldera.

The two most visited and picturesque towns are Fira on the west coast and Oia up north. Fira is the main city, a little too exaggerated to call it capital. Typical are the white houses and the deep blue roofs, many of them churches. An old phrase says: There are more churches than houses, more donkeys than people and more wine than water. The distance from Fira to Oia is 11 km, and you can walk all the way, if you are in good shape. There are no straight and horizontal roads. It goes up and down with a lot of steps.

For a photographer one picture-perfect motive follows the other. It was not the usual street photography, but more trying to cultivate the beauty of houses and landscape. If it is a building or something on a terrasse you can take your time and compose the photograph. The motive won’t run away.

Santorini is a popular destination for young people in love. I love my wife, but maybe it is in a little different way as young people do. I mean not loving my wife. Everywhere you can see couples caress and hold each other. It is so romantic.

The romantic atmosphere raises to new heights when you visit Oia to see the sun setting. You can be sure to meet more people here than yourself, but that’s how it is or as my neighbor said – how the balls are bouncing. It’s naïve to think, you can have the experience all by yourself.

Here at the end, I must admit that it is wonderful in late afternoon to visit the local taverna and have a drink – ouzo or raki. All in all, we had a wonderful vacation, returned relaxed at home, and with many new and different photographs.

I have a gallery from Lanzarote, where my images are similar and different at the same time, to those here.

A unique architectural style – rootes in history: The iconic white houses of Santorini have their roots deeply embedded in the island’s history and culture. Following a catastrophic volcanic eruption in the 2nd millennium BC, which led to the caldera formation and shaped the island’s geographical features, the necessity for resilient building materials emerged. The traditional structures, predominantly made of volcanic ash and pumice stone, created an environment where whitewashing became a practical and aesthetic choice.

Whitewash reflects sunlight, keeping interiors cool during the scorching summer months. The intense sun exposure also helps to disinfect the walls, making it a preferred choice for locals. Over the years, this functional approach to home-building developed into a recognizable architectural style that has become synonymous with Santorini.

A symphony of colors: While the houses are primarily white, their characteristic charm lies in the colorful accents that adorn them. Bright blue doors and shutters pop against the whitewashed walls, beautifully contrasting the natural hues of the sea and sky. This color palette lends itself to stunning photography, especially during the golden hour of sunset when the interplay of colors is truly mesmerizing.

For photography enthusiasts, Santorini presents the perfect opportunity to capture vibrant images that evoke a sense of serenity and romance. The island’s unique lighting, combined with the distinct architecture, sets the stage for breathtaking shots that can transport viewers to a different realm.