A Potent DisinfectantIn 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.
Why is everything painted white in Greece?
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.
What does white mean in Greek culture?
The blue color represents the sea and sky, while the white color symbolizes purity, cleanliness, and the pursuit of freedom. They are also the colors of the Greek flag.
What is the white Place in Greece?
Santorini is perched on the edge of a submerged volcano, overlooking a stunning caldera. It is a dream island in Greece that epitomizes one's fantasies – the iconic white buildings of Greece, blue rooftops, and windmills.
Why is everything white in Mykonos?
Why are the roofs blue in Santorini?
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.
Why are doors painted blue in Greece?
But, it is fair to say that blue is a significant colour for the Greeks as it reflects the colour of the seas and skies in their everyday life. The widespread use also emanates from an ancient belief that the sky blue shade of turquoise has the power to keep evil away.
Why are Greek towns white and blue?
Blue and white colours became permanent when a military government came in power in the year 1967. They made it mandatory for all the buildings on the islands to be painted blue and white as they thought these colours supported their political agenda.
What is the difference between Mykonos and Santorini?
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.
How do they keep the houses so white in Greece?
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.