In the 13th century, the ships of the Venetian sea conqueror Markos Sanoudos landed on Riva, who annexed the islands Thira and Thirassia for the Aegean Principality of Naxos. The little church of Saint Irene (latin Santa Irini), that can be seen high on top above the port of Riva, gave its name not only to the settlement but to the whole island of Santorini.
