back next Santorini, Oia, Fira, Caldera, Greece, Photos Imagetripping sells beautiful framed photos featuring panoramic vistas of Santorini, Greece. This gallery features landscape photos of Santorini with images captured in Oia, Finikia, Perivolas and Fira Town. The volcanic cliffs of Santorini are red, brown or greenish, surrounded by a string of white villages. Santorini is the last of the Cyclades islands to the south and a complex of five islands. Santorini (Thira) is the main island and around it there is Thirasia and Aspronisi (parts of the ancient Stroggili) and the volcanic islands Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni. The two volcanic islands appeared much later from various eruptions starting in 157 BC the last of those happened during the 20th century (1950). Approximately 1450 BC, the volcano erupted changed Santorini's geography forever. The center of the island sunk into the sea and Santorini went from a circular volcano to the shape of the crescent-formed islands that we see today. The explosion exterminated all life on the island and produced a tidal wave so immense, 820 feet (250 m) high, traveling at a speed of 217 miles (350 km) per hour, that it claimed the lives of the entire Minoan civilization on the island of Crete. Crete is less than 75 miles south of Santorini. Throughout the years Santorini was subject to many more volcanic eruptions, and most notably the 1956 earthquake that created fear among its residents as well as massive destruction. Today the landscape is full of vineyards, fig trees, caves and churches. Fira is the capital of the island that is perched on the edge of an impressive cliff 260 m high and offers a great panorama over the submerged volcano. It is full of traditional white painted houses, stepped streets with blue-domed churches and sun-bathed verandas. Agiou Mina is an 18th century church, which has become the symbol of Santorini with its distinctive blue dome and white bell tower. This private church is located at the edge of Agiou Mina street facing the caldera. The Orthodox Cathedral is dedicated to Ipapanti (the Coming or Presentation of Christ in the Temple). The cathedral is also known to the locals as Our Lady Belonia. Cable cars take visitors to the harbor below Just past the cable car station is the Dominican Convent which was founded in 1596, and Rosario Church to left. St. John the Baptist is just past the cable car station. Cable cars take visitors to the harbor below as do the famous Santorini Donkeys. Oia village is situated at the northern tip of the island, about 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Fira. It is a small fishing community, and is the island's third port. This town is famous for its spectacular sunsets, narrow streets, and beautiful restored houses that were damaged after the 1956 earthquake. The sourthern port is called Ammoudi while the western tip of Oia features two wind mills known as Garbinoi Myloi. There is a steep walkway to the port or one could ride donkeys. Oia Cathedrals include the Panagia Platsani, Monastiri, Zoodochos Pigi, and Agiou Nicolas.