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Santorini's great susceptibility to earthquakes and the lack of water and wood, the strong winds during the winter, the unbearable heat in the summer and the blinding light of the Aegean sun dictated to the Santorinians not only the lay-out of their villages but also the shape, size, even the manner of building of their dwellings. The narrow-fronted Santorinian houses are sometimes excavated underground and sometimes built.According to tradition the Island has oneChurch for each family. Each Church has a name given after a Saint who protects the family. On the name day of the Saint, the family gives a special reception with free food and wine for everyone who may be there. This reception is called "panigiris". The island is almost dry and there are only very few springs on it. The Santorinians, in order to cover their daily needs, use rainwater which is collected in special cisterns during the winter. Every house has its own cistern. In order to clean up the water they used to have leeches (vdeles) in the cisterns which absorbed viruses. Today they use chemicals. Furthermore the island is supplied, especially during summer time, with water by water-carrying ships. Some years ago Santorini was a rather poor island. The earthquakes were a catastrophe for the economy. |
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