Why are Santorini roofs blue?

The reason behind this color choice has to do with practicality. In the old times, Greek housewives would use a cleaning agent called loulaki (blue powder in English) which came in the form of talcum powder. It was widely and cheaply available across Greece.



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The second story tells that some superstitious people believe that restless souls do not want to fly to heaven but seek to penetrate the earth into houses. That is why Santorini blue roofs are designed to disorient evil spirits, let them think that this is the sky, get confused, and fly away.

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It mainly had to do with construction reasons. Domes in general are one of the first structural forms humans worked with in stone architecture. Spherical domes are used in Greece from appx. 5,800 BC.

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Due to the wars of the 20th century, Santorini's economy declined and the inhabitants abandoned the island after a catastrophic earthquake in 1956.

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The solution was to paint their houses light-colored by using whitewash which they made by mixing lime, water, and sea salt. As white color is a reflector of heat it worked perfectly to preserve the freshness and coolness of Greek homes.

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No, Santorini is not a cheap place to visit. From the high cost of accommodations to the luxury restaurants and activities, many factors contribute to the expensive prices in Santorini. The popularity and beauty of the island, combined with its limited resources, also contribute to its high prices.

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Anastasi church in Oia Perched on the cliffside in Oia, Anastasi Church boasts one of the most famous blue domes of Santorini. Its bright blue dome, adorned with pristine white walls and bell towers, creates a harmonious blend of colors that is simply awe-inspiring.

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But because the drinking water is ocean water that has passed through desalination plants prior to reaching your tap, many people report that the water tastes brackish and salty. In fact, this is probably why so many places in Santorini's hospitality industry offer water bottles instead.

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It was not until 1967, that these two colors became a mandatory choice when the Junta, a right-wing military dictatorship mandated that all buildings must be painted or repainted to white and blue. The regime believed that this measure would inspire patriotism and reflect nationalism.

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Oia Village is the most popular town on Santorini — with iconic blue and white churches and the best sunset perches on the island — is the most expensive (and crowded).

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Santorini is best known as a romantic island with one-of-a-kind views, whereas Mykonos is more about sandy beaches and spirited partying. Depending on the vibe you seek, both islands suit holidays à deux. Solo travellers and groups of friends will also find both appealing, though Mykonos offers more in terms of edge.

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Every year before Easter, Santorini residents refresh the paint on their houses to get this clean look that you often see on the pictures from the Cyclades Islands. Houses in this part of Greece are traditionally covered with hydrated lime and water.

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Due to the challenging weather conditions (heavy hurricanes in winter and solar heat in summer) and protection from pirate invasions, Santorini's architecture is very similar to the other Cycladic islands. Of unique charm is the sunset of Fira and Oia, for which the island welcomes thousands of visitors.

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