Greek houses, especially on Mykonos and Santorini, can be easily recognized on a daily basis, mostly blue and white. Many travelers will take photos of the perimeter, blue decoration and front of these white houses. So why are these houses blue and white? Many people will think that blue and white are the colors of the Greek flag, and these two colors are probably the representative colors of Greece. At the same time, blue and white are also the colors of the sea and the sky, which can be said to be synonymous with the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. But in fact, behind the romance of Greek blue and white architecture, there is a rather practical reason!
Cool down the house in the summer
On the islands of Mykonos, Paros and Naxos on the Cyclades Archipelago, many houses were originally built with stone due to a lack of wood. However, these stones are usually very dark in color and can be problematic during the Greek summer, when the sun is shining. The sunlight that shines on the house is absorbed by the dark stones, making the interior hot and even unbearable. As a result, residents began to paint the stones white to facilitate cooling of the air in the room. This method is very effective, and the dwellings on the island become cooler and more comfortable.
Disinfection and reduction of cholera transmission
In 1938, a state decree accelerated the spread of this blue-and-white design aesthetic. At that time, cholera broke out in Greece during the reign of Ionis Metaxas. To curb the disease, citizens were ordered to paint their own homes. The paint of the whitewashed house contains limestone, a powerful disinfectant that can help disinfect and reduce the spread of cholera. So why is it all blue? This is because it is convenient and cheap. The blue paint people use is made from a mixture of limestone and a cleaning product called "loulaki", a blue talc powder that is easily available. In addition, fishermen and seafarers on greek islands generally paint the windows of their houses with the remaining paint, and the blue paint is usually the paint that is readily available, so many houses are blue.
Historical reasons why color schemes must be enforced
In 1967, Greece came under the rule of a military government, and it became mandatory to turn the island's houses blue and white. It is believed that these two colors reflect Greek nationalism. Finally, in 1974, a bill was passed requiring the Greek island houses to be painted blue and white. Although these regulations have now been relaxed, the blue and white houses on the Greek islands have become popular punching points for tourists. As a result, many islanders choose to retain this color.
This is the truth behind the romance of the Greek Blue and White House, which contributed to the impression of the Greek island. In the future, when you visit the island, especially in the Cyclades Islands, you may wish to pay attention to the houses made of original dark stone!