Greece’s Iconic Blue & White Buildings Explained

The Mediterranean islands are known for their white sands and blue waters, but Greece takes it up a notch. Learn more about Bright Trip at www.brighttrip...
If you've ever traveled to or seen pictures of the Greek islands, you'll notice there is A LOT of white and blue. From their homes and businesses to their furniture and cars; it's everywhere. But it's not a coincidence. Justin takes us on a short dive into history to see what led Greece's islands to adopt the white and blue theme.
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[@TrollingCat]

There are also two alternative benefits to coloring your house white and blue. First one being that white is good at summer because it reflects all visible wavelenghts of light and head. Second is that blue is used to confuse flying bugs into thinking it's the water, thus letting you get less of them (That fact was from my greek girlfriend who lived on Cycladic Islands).

[@BrightTripTravel]

So interesting!

[@hunterhunter106]

Painting it blue doesn’t actually help. It was also a common trend for porch ceilings in the southeast US to be painted “haint blue” partially because they believed it would help with insects. In reality, the paint they would use (made from lime) was an insect repellent. Most paint nowadays is not lime based.

[@michaelleonardsetyawijaya2311]

This channel is a hidden gem, and should get more recognition...

[@BrightTripTravel]

Aww, thanks! 😊

[@gabrielaayau]

You guys went all the way to Greece to answer this question! I mean WOWWW

[@BrightTripTravel]

You gotta do what you gotta do!

[@vapalaca]

Google will be the easiest but hey who doesn’t wanna be in a Greek island?!

[@JustinPooreVlog]

I mean any excuse to go to Greece am I right!?

[@nausikatomara9969]

He made Up almost everything. 1. Not all the greeks islands are like this 2. You can find these colours in Tunisia as well. Did the greeks dictators obliged them as well?

[@SleepingWitheSirens]

The best possible explanation is They’re Different and they’re unique thats why.

[@ChopchopChinese]

Adorable and iconic Btw your video answered the question in a clear and fun way 👍

[@BrightTripTravel]

Yay 😊

[@MateoQuixote]

Ooohhh I always thought it was blue and white because they were inspired by Shakira's iconic blue and white dress from her first time attending the VMA's! This makes waaaay more sense

[@eleftherias.3065]

Το σκεπτικό σου είναι λάθος και θα σου εξηγήσω γιατί. Η Σακίρα ποσο χρονών είναι; Στην 4η δεκαετία της; Τα νησιά στην Ελλάδα και ο πολιτισμος που αναπτύχθηκε είναι πολυ, πολυ, πολυ πιο μακροβιότερος. Αυτός ο τρόπος εξωτερικής διακόσμησης, δηλαδή άσπροι τοίχοι μπλε πορτοπαραθυρα, τον συναντάμε περισσοτερο στις Κυκλάδες. Ο λόγος είναι λόγω της μοροφολιγιας του εδάφους δεν έχουν πυκνή βλάστηση, με αποτέλεσμα το καλοκαίρι τα σπίτια να ζεσταίνονται περισσοτερο. Βάφοντας τα σπίτια άσπρα, οι ακτίνες του ήλιου δε συσσώρευονται στο κτίριο. Ο λόγος για τα μπλε πορτοπαραθυρα είναι λόγω του χρώματος ουρανου και θάλασσας.

[@migmikko]

She’s not even Greek. Her fans are the worst

[@brianfieger]

That’s an excellent video.

[@BrightTripTravel]

Thanks 🙌

[@cookoutdoor881]

Being a Greek, I have heard again the explanations for white and blue coloured houses. Being a Greek again…, if white and blue was a forcible result, the day after dictators fall, you wouldn’t see a single white and blue building!

[@EricTheJester]

what about this? ''This might sound strange today, but the whitewash used to paint the houses contained limestone. Limestone is a powerful disinfectant, and not many others were in common use at the time. Greek citizens thus whitewashed their homes to help sanitize them and reduce the spread of cholera''

[@DanteAlexander-q5e]

Reason for Blue and white is for National Greek Flag.... Greeks are very proud people

[@Erato7]

The truth is simple .Becouse we could easily find quiklime and indigo.This work was always done by women.The man were sailors,they traveled for many months.The women usually had at their disposal two fine materials which were easy for them to handle.The lime which were easy available and the indigo,which was used to wash and whiten clothes.Lime also was disinfectant for insects. They painted the houses and streets all white for the sun and they use the blue to harmonize the house with the environment,the sky and the sea.

[@martinswoboda827]

"the greek islands"? you're mainly talking about kyklades. but there's a lot more to greece! go to e.g. dodekanisa and you'll see a lot of clacicistic features in many colors. or kriti. or the mainlands. great feature though, as you got the point with the two (!) fascist dictatorships covered ;-) good job!

[@bozeeke]

Not all the Greek islands. Santorini and some of the other islands.

[@合気道とカンフー]

True

[@joeb5080]

This is *only* true in the Cyclades group of islands (where Mykonos and Santorini belong) and *some* of the Dodecanese. It is not true in most of the Dodecanese, or North Aegean, or Ionian Islands.

[@joshuaphillips755]

Isn't their flag white and blue?

[@BrightTripTravel]

Yes!

[@Heyurgirlistotallyrandom]

I mean it makes sense, it's LITERALLY GREECE'S FLAG 🇬🇷

[@BrightTripTravel]

🇬🇷

[@JustSueMe]

Well, technically only the islands in the Cyclades, which is a small part of Greece, are like that (we call it Cycladic architecture here). The rest of the islands and mainland use different architectures depending on the location.

[@BrightTripTravel]

That's so interesting!

[@dkalambokis78]

Yep, you visited a couple of islands, and it's like you invented the wheel. But I like your enthusiasm

[@nausikatomara9969]

Just because a goodlooking guy says a lot of things in a nice background, doesnt mean that it is true.😅 He made up almost everything 1. Not all the greek islands follow this rule, Only in Cyclades complex 2. Not all of them have blue doors, there are many colours 3. Was the cholera only in the Cycladic islands? Why didnt they apply the same law to other islands or inland 4. Did the greek dictators obliged to paint other places in different countries too? You can see white buildings with (light) blue doors in Tunisia. In other words, if you are in such a beautiful place as Santorini, you can even make a video with a lot of bullshit and still impress!!!!

[@atlantic_love]

My husband and I would love to visit Greece, but that's never happening. He's from the UK, but we live here in the US. The travel costs would simply bankrupt us.

[@tigerphid9677]

My grandparents came to the US from Greece and I have visited several times. I know all about Greek history, art and architecture. I have never, ever heard anyone say, "I went to Greece and had a lousy time..." Everyone loves Greece. No surprise. Its history and its people make it the greatest nation ever.

[@FinancialShinanigan]

Justin: I want to visit Greece... Also Justin: Let's talking about those white & blue buildings!

[@BrightTripTravel]

Hahaha, it's all part of it!

[@JustinPooreVlog]

Guilty!

[@jordymcneill]

Justin asking the REAL questions

[@BrightTripTravel]

FACTS

[@thevansfam]

Great video. I would love to go to Greece 🇬🇷!

[@BrightTripTravel]

You should!

[@Michaelengelmann]

I just know it was painted that way so it feels cooler 🌬

[@CrustyBiker]

I often wanted to know this but never got around to looking it up!, but also the architecture is stunning in it's own right now ❤

[@nickirito3435]

Thanks for explaining...I was about to write a comment about Greece, because I found that not only in Athens but other cities do this, now I know. It must feel (no words) frustrating. Even in the third world country I live in now , People like to paint their houses all different colors to represent the vitality and appreciacion of expression and just personal prefrence. Wouldnt a graffitti artist go mad?

[@gintama718]

Fun and informative video. I loved it.

[@BrightTripTravel]

So glad!

[@Basil_o_brouzos]

In the mainland the traditional buildings are white and red or bage and red

[@digitalbauble]

great job on the research... Im here bec. I really wanted to know :)

[@missmonkeymind708]

The touristy islands have different building code laws according to each place. Also, places like Mykonos & Santorini etc. Are required to freshen up the paint on the cobblestone in front of their business or home if they are in the towns like once a week or something during the season.

[@Dinzan_Writes]

Nicely done! Fun and useful.

[@BrightTripTravel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chavem]

4:14 A-door-able 🌚

[@BrightTripTravel]

HAHAHAHA YES! 😂

[@tejaswininaik8244]

Love you man, you made our work easy

[@Krisahontas]

Project blue beam people wake up! 😂

[@karthikr6506]

Good content. Liked and subscribed. 🎉

[@cresenciadomingo2296]

I like you❤

[@julianaalcantara3595]

Ioanis metaxas

[@mughalshehzadi6998]

Im irshad m very intrusting infotmation

[@N0N4M30]

Oh gosh those tiny doors are so cute ! Wish we’d know what they are used for ! And please don’t use donkeys when you visit the island these poor animals are being abused and die in horrible ways

[@BrightTripTravel]

Yes!!!

[@callybooth4312]

what about the little doors?

[@cresenciadomingo2296]

Simply smart❤

[@ChannelTENthousandBC]

I love this channel 🤗🤗🤗

[@BrightTripTravel]

Thank yooou 😊

[@just_in_key]

This channel is so underrated 😭

[@TheMilkcracker]

very informative

[@BrightTripTravel]

Glad you think so!

[@Bongi344]

Found this video by scrolling Mediterranean house style, so glad I came here. So interesting.