Why does Santorini have white houses?

At the beginning of the 20th century, during the war, serious deceases, like cholera, plagued the Greek islands. Whitewash is a cheap, disinfectant material that was used regularly to limit the contagion. Back to that era, it was probably the most effective or even the only medium available for disinfection.



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In the late 1930s, Greece was suffering from a cholera epidemic, and the nation's leader at the time, Ioannis Metaxas, ordered all Greek citizens to whitewash their houses. The whitewash used to paint the outside of citizens' homes contained limestone, which happens to be a potent disinfectant.

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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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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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Sherwin Williams Greek Villa isn't a true white or a creamy white, but it's one of the best off-white paint colors you can use that doesn't have a strong undertone. If you're looking for an off-white that's right in the middle, then this paint color might be for you.

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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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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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The blue and white colours are the same as the Greek flag To comply, people started painting the buildings blue and white, the colours of the Greek flag. This then started to become a trademark of Greece and drew a lot of tourists.

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First of all, Santorini is a natural wonder of the world. Its world famous volcano, which constitutes a magnificent sight and attraction of Santorini, formed the island and gave it its current shape and geomorphology by a massive volcanic eruption, thousands of years ago.

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The widespread use also emanates from an ancient belief that the sky blue shade of turquoise has the power to keep evil away. It is believed that the radiation of the colour composes an invisible shield which prevents the approach of bad spirits.

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This glorious blue colour is due partly to the reflection of the blue skies and partly to the fact that the sea does not contain large quantities of solid matter such as plankton, mud and dust floating in the water. The way in which the Greek Sea sparkles is like no other the world over.

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Its wild volcanic landscape, rugged cliffs, wild nature, and beautiful shores, combined with its rich history and traditions, make the island the gem of Greece. Santorini got its current half-moon shape around 1,650 BC after a huge volcanic eruption.

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Santorini is made that bit more special by its extraordinary location. Thousands of years ago, a massive volcanic eruption caused the centre of the island to collapse, leaving a caldera or crater, with towering cliffs along one side of the island.

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It was created by one of the largest known eruptions around 3,600 years ago. The explosion was so powerful that it wrecked Santorini's ancient city of Akrotiri and dealt a fatal blow to the seafaring Minoan civilization, which had settled on the island at the time.

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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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If you're planning a trip to Santorini, there are a few things you should know about the cost of your journey. On average, a trip to Santorini will cost around $1,500-$2,000 per person for a week-long stay.

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