I want to buy a home in Greece. I’ve seen the brand new contemporary constructions by top architects in Greece, but it’s not my style. I want something that looks more traditional. I want to feel like I am in the Greece of days past. So, what are my options for a traditional home in Greece?
Cyclades: Blue and White Houses
Everyone has seen the images all over social media of the blue and white-colored houses in Santorini. It’s the most well-known building style in Greece. While the blue and white style has become a trend, its roots are in traditional construction in the Cycladic islands.
The decision to “paint” houses white in the Cyclades was firstly out of necessity. Families survived off the land, so it only made sense to build with materials available from the natural landscape. Originally, houses on the islands were built with dark stones. If you take a stroll through the main villages in Mykonos, you’re sure to catch a glimpse of some homes still built with this style.
Stone was the logical building material, being ubiquitous and free. However, being dark, the stones absorbed the light and the interior heated to unbearable temperatures. To cool down their spaces, Greeks painted over the rocks with whitewash – a mixture of lime, salt, and water — which was much cheaper than paint.
The Peloponnese: Tower Houses
Travel to mainland Greece, and you will see an entirely different tradition. The tower houses of the Peloponnese are one of the most unique traditional building styles in Greece. Greece’s tower houses were built in the 18th and 19th centuries to protect against Ottomans, pirates, and other attackers. They are built close to one another in a defensive arrangement.
Several of these towers are now out of use. Some locals have found a way to save them with restorations.
In the converted tower now known as “Dandy Villas”, you will enter to a living room with the traditional spaces once used by families who lived inside. You will first see the fireplace and so-called “photo corner” where families cooked their food.
You will be forced to go through the low opening of the corridors, which were once built this way to make it hard for visitors to enter.
Epirus: Stone-Built Houses
In the Mastorochoria (stonemason villages) in northern Greece, you will find traditional stone buildings made my master craftsmen of the Epirus region.
These stone-built houses were (and still are) favoured initially for functional reasons. They were easily heated in the colder months, while the thick stone walls kept them cool during the warm season.
Many of the stone-built houses found nowadays in northern Greece are products of these master masons and are still inhabited. Moreover, the tradition of building with stone is a craft that is still very much alive, not only in northern Greece, but also in the Peloponnese, Pelion, and Crete.
Using local materials is not only good for the environment (when compared to importing materials from another country) but it also helps a home to blend in with the surrounding landscape.
Corfu: Venetian-Style Villas
Corfu is the one island of Greece that was never controlled by the Ottomans, and their architecture shows this.
In the historic town of Corfu, which is a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, you will find many Venetian-style buildings with arched entrances, ornate balconies, iron railings, and pastel facades. The French influence is clear in the neoclassical mansions of Corfu, which have Corinthian columns and large porticoes.
The traditional houses of Corfu typically feature stone construction, terracotta roofing, and large internal courtyards. This combination of practicality and aesthetics fits well with the island’s climate.
Also noteworthy are the arched doorways, colorful facades, and decorated balconies, which create a romantic atmosphere.
Crete: Kamarospito
In rural areas of Crete, you will find traditionally-built homes also known as “kamarospito,” which are known for their stone construction, red-tile roofs, and wooden balconies. The interiors usually have high ceilings and a large fireplace. The central courtyard is also a common feature.
It is called a “kamarospito” because an arch (“kamara,” in Greek) separates the home into two areas. The interior is typically simple in its furnishings and decorations. The furniture usually consists of the “pezoula” (the bed), the “portego” (the sitting-room), and several tables and chairs.
The ground floor is called the “katoghi”, and the mezzanine is known as the “metzao”, while the top floor is called the “anoghi” where the family sleeps.
More Building Styles in Greece
Are you still not sure about which style of home you want in Greece? See our complete guides for architecture styles in Greece here.
