Photo. Santorini in Greek is connected to the fable of Atlantis. © Travel Explorations.
Santorini is one of the most beautiful Greek islands. Officially called Thira and Thera in classical Greek. It`s located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from the Greek mainland. I recall from my tour there in 1986 that is a was a great place for sunset with piano music in background, beautiful turquoise waters, active boatlife, swimming in hot springs, volcanic craters, white houses with blue roofs, stunning views from the hill tops, and an intense party life. But Santorini has more to offer. And now I really wonder if I have been on the site connected to one of the most dramatic ancient stories.
Sometimes I feel little bit emotional linked to historical places I visit on my journeys. On most places I have been to, I have been fairly updated about the history. I wouldn`t say that my experience on Santorini was connected to the past. At that time I visited Santorini I didn`t know anything about the island`s connection to the myth of lost Atlantis. Atlantis has often been described in literature, television shows, films and works of popular culture. Also through centuries the myth of this lost island has had a big impact on literature and art. It has first in the recent years been raised theories about that Santorini is remains of the once great "paradise" Atlantis. Now I think back in time and wonder how the life was then in Santorini.
Atlantis - an excellent invention of the human imagination?
The myth about Atlantis has always fascinated me, but it`s also important to be critical. During years I have tried to keep updated about new explorations and eventually evidences about this lost island. Atlantis was considered to be an utopian civilization. Unlike many legends whose origins have been lost in the mists of time, it`s exactly known when and where the story of Atlantis first appeared. The story was first told in two of Plato's (Plato is an ancient Greek philosopher born in Athens - c.424–328 B.C.) dialogues, the "Timaeus" and the "Critias," written about 360 B.C. He describes Atlantis as a powerful and advanced kingdom that sank, in a night and a day, into the ocean around 9,600 B.C. Atlantis - fictional or true? Was Plato on to something, or was it just an island he made up?
So if Atlantis really has existed, where it`s hidden now?
As I can see from several sources there are many modern-day Indiana Joneses in search of the Lost City of Atlantis. They claim to know where Atlantis is located, and it could be almost anywhere. Most scientists, geologists and archaeologists seem today to claim that there is a connection between the island of Santorini and the lost island of Atlantis. To get a better understanding on this connection I recommend this article: “Santorini the legend of Atlantis”.
There has also recently been shown a documentary on the Discovery Channel maintaining that the ancient lost city of Atlantis may have been located on what is now known as the Greek island of Santorini. Are there any evidences that Santorini could be the site of Atlantis? The Akrotiri area on Santorini is possibly the location of the ancient lost city of Atlantis. It lies buried underneath ash as researchers work under a protective roof to unearth more treasures there, according to Greek Reporter (10th May 2022).
On Santorini it`s possible to visit the interactive museum “The Lost Atlantis Experience”. According to this museum, it`s the first museum in the world dedicated to the myth of Lost Atlantis. Here you can get also insight in Greek history, mythology, philosophy, and geology. With the help of innovative technologies, visitors will learn about the myth of Atlantis, how it is connected to Santorini, and experience its destruction.
The author Christos A. Djonis presents another hypothesis in his book “Atlantis - The Find of a Lifetime”. His research starts on a 10,000-year journey that reveals Atlantis’s sunken island and demonstrates how Plato’s 2400-year-old story corresponds to real history. Not only do the physical characteristics of the proposed location, along with the given chronology, match Plato’s description, but all the elements are precisely in the exact order as Plato wrote down in his story.
NASA images prove Lost City of Atlantis to within 99.32% accuracy (source: PR Newswire). The confirmation is available in David Edward's new book: Atlantis Solved, The Final Definitive Proof.
Anyway whether Atlantis is a fictional island or not, there is a fascinating legend. I believe there are many lost islands and continents from ancient time. Atlantis could be one of them. Santorini gave me a huge impression. If there is a remain of Atlantis some place, it must be there.
Stein Morten Lund, 23rd January 2023
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