Santorini: Architecture, Earthquakes, Water, and Final Thoughts

The whitewashed, arched, domed, rounded edge structures common on Santorini are both aesthetic and practical.  This style is Cycladic and is common in the Cyclades of Greece.  From a practical standpoint the smooth edges and rounded designs reduce wind noise from the persistent sea breezes that blow across the Cyclades.  While we were in Santorini, we enjoyed wonderful breezes each day that both cooled the hot sun and provided natural air conditioning.  The  white wash is actually made of a natural lime material found on the island that provides a safe finish so that the limited rain water that falls on the island can be collected and used.  No lead or other dangerous chemicals to worry about.  White also provides a cool surface in the intense summer Mediterranean sun.  Windows are small and limited in the designs to provide needed light, but restrict airflow from those persistent breezes, and all windows have wooden shutters that can close and seal off the windows effectively.  Finally, the arches and domes provide strength for an island that has been rocked by frequent earthquakes over the years, the last big one in 1956.  Prior to 1956 many island structures were built from the volcanic material abundantly available on the island, and where there were caves the structures were built to extend the caves toward the sea.  Many of these older designs were destroyed in the 1956 earthquake, causing rebuilding to be done with rebar-enforced concrete walls that are finished with plaster.

Aesthetically this Santorini style is as beautiful to look at as it is practical.  The white and blue color scheme are the colors of the Greek flag, which the Greeks fly proudly.  The. Lue represents the sea and th white the foam created by the waves.  We were told at one point that during one of the occupations of Greece by another country, they were not allowed to fly the flag, so selecting the blue and white color scheme was the next best choice to proclaim their allegiance.  The white color on most all buildings and walls provides a cool surface even in the midday sun.  The narrow walkways with multi-story buildings bordering each side provide needed shade from the hot sun and give the persistent sea breeze a nice path to flow with cooling air.  At the same time the walkways are filled with shops and cafés, many with a spectacular view.  Overall the aesthetic is fantastic while being practical as well.

Water is a precious and expensive commodity on Santorini as it rains little throughout the year.  So, they must desalinate water from the sea and truck it to each home and building where it is delivered into a cistern built for each one.  Consequently, we never once saw anyone using a hose to wash down a car or building or sidewalk during our stay.  Instead, they used brooms or mops or dusters to clean the various public surfaces.  Everything seemed very clean, so not using water as we are accustomed did not result in a dirty environment.  Only at our hotel was there some limited use of water to clean around the pool, which they did each night.

Our time on Santorini was fantastic and went by much too fast.  We loved the hotel, the style of our room and the open-air feel of it.  The views of the caldera and the sea from Fira and Oia were better than anything we expected and were worth the entire trip.  Santorini is a unique place and one we want to visit again.  Perhaps next time we can rent a villa in the cliffs in Oia, with a private terrace facing the caldera, and spend a week just relaxing and enjoying the lifestyle Santorini offers.  Something to put on our list.