fbpx

Stone Homes in Ikaria, Greece

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Table of Contents

The island of Ikaria is known for its stunning scenery, slow pace of life, and relaxing beaches. You may know it for its famous Ikarian summer Panegiri (feast day) to the Virgin Mary, in which thousands gather in the island’s villages to celebrate for over 3 days. But in centuries past, despite its rugged beauty, it was a place that struggled for survival.

Ikaria

Pirates Arrive in Ikaria

The island’s location made it a prime target for pirates starting in the 1st Century BCE. The island changed hands between the Romans (3rd century BCE to 5th Century CE), the Byzantines (5th to 12th centuries CE), the Genoese (14th century), and eventually the Ottomans. As a result, they never had the chance to properly fortify themselves against attackers.

 

Historically, Ikaria was an ideal location for pillaging. It was known for its excellent Pramnian wine, olives, and honey. Pirates would routinely stop by to pilfer the island of its fruits. Ikarians became so desperate that they destroyed their own port to deter attackers.

 

The Ottoman rulers were the biggest culprits of encouraging attack – they allowed buccaneering as a way of discouraging sea trade with other states. 

 

The Ikarians made up their mind: it was time to move.

Living Under a Rock, Literally

When even that didn’t work, locals took drastic measures: they moved inland. The interior of the island is notoriously rocky, with difficult-to-traverse terrain and steep inclines.

 

There, the Ikarians found the solution to their age-old problem. Massive boulders dotted the landscape and could be used as a foundation for homes. The boulder would typically offer at least some part of the house (for example, 2 walls), and the rest of the dwelling would be built by hand.

 

The homes were simple and squat, featuring not more than a door and a hearth. They would spend most of their time outdoors anyhow. 

Century of Obscurity

The beauty of these homes is that they cannot be seen from the beach or from the waters below. Effectively, they were playing hide and seek.

 

The start of the Ottoman rule signaled a permanent move of the villagers to the Aetheras range on Ikaria island, where they would stay for 300 years is what is called the “century of obscurity.”

 

Traditionally, one would build on the landward side of the boulder, so that they could not be seen from the sea. Locals moved around only at night, to avoid being sighted.

 The large boulders often had a large distance between them, meaning that communities were dispersed. If pirates did make it to the mountains, it would be hard for everyone to be discovered. 

 

Additionally, because the walls were thick, the inside stayed cool in the summer and held heat in the cold winter months.

Ikaria’s Stone Homes today

Today, these homes are mostly deserted. According to the locals, one man still lives there permanently because his family never left. 

 

Most of the other dwellings are either used as storage or as cellars for wine. 

More Island Architecture

Greece’s islands are full of historic and unique architecture. Read more about building traditions in Tinos, the Cyclades, and Rhodes here.

Read More in Our Ikaria Buying Guide

Read The Complete Buyer's Guide

Looking for something in particular?
Mother and Daughter
BlogPurchase Tips

Selling My Home in Greece – The Ultimate Guide (Updated for 2025)

In this article, we tell you the basic process of selling your home in Greece, from the documents required, cooperation with third parties, and the ...
BlogHistory & Culture

When is Easter in Greece? (Updated for 2025)

Orthodox Christians in Greece celebrate Easter later than the rest of the Christian world. Why is that? How do Orthodox Greeks decide when to celebrate ...
BlogIn The News

New Greece Short-Term Rental Rules Effective October 1, 2025: Everything You Need to Know

Starting October 1, 2025, Greece is introducing comprehensive regulations for short-term rental properties, transforming the landscape for platforms like Airbnb. These new rules aim to ...
BlogIn The News

The Ellinikon: Greece’s New Megacity

Athens has a new “smart city.” Taking up 6.2 million square meters, this new city will be in the “Athens Riviera,” which starts at Piraeus ...
Chapel of Agios Georgios by Korissia
BlogPurchase Tips

Building Restrictions and Regulations in Greece

If you’re planning on building your own home in Greece, you’ll need to follow the localGreek rules and regulations, which differ based on the type ...
Photo Credit: Second Home Expo Archive
BlogMarket Insights

Meet the Elxis Team at Second Home Expo Antwerp

What is the Second Home Expo?  At Second Home Expo, you discover how to achieve your dream of owning a second home. With a selection ...

Compare Listings

Receive the latest news

Stay informed on the latest market insights, updates, tips and more

We’ll send you our best articles, expert insights and newest listings.​