Greece Architecture

Greece Architecture

Ancient Greece has influenced many world architectural movements along centuries, as for example the movement of Renaissance and the Neoclassical style. Many of the world wide masterpieces were inspired by the architecture in Greece, particularly the ancient Greek style of Doric, Ionic or Corinthian rhythm. In fact, the Neoclassical style that was so popular in the 19th century was actually a revival of the ancient architecture of Greece. Due to the rich diversity along centuries, the architectural style is divided in several periods. You can see samples of the architecture in Greece with a simple walk in the centre of Athens, even the Cycladic one.

You will find in our guide a description of every architectural period but also links to architecture of many locations and islands of Greece: Architecture during the Minoan Civilization, the Mycenaean civilization, the classical antiquity and more.
Read also: After reading about the architecture, get also informed about the museums in Greece.

Guide to architecture by historical periods

We propose bellow information about the different architectural periods and styles in Greece and the Greek islands from the Minoan times to modern days.

Minoan Architecture

Minoan Architecture

The Minoan civilization prospered on the greek island of Crete from the 27th till the 15th century BC. The most famous architectural achievement of this period is definitely the impressive Palace of Knossos. The palace is situated on a hill and surrounded by pine forests. It is divided in two courts: the west wing, where you can visit the religious and official staterooms, and the East Wing, which was used for domestic and workshop purposes.

Archaeologists have found the wonderful frescoes of Knossos almost untouched, under layers of ash, which leads them to believe that the destruction of the Minoan town of Knossos is probably connected to the huge volcanic eruption of the Santorini in about 1,450 BC. These frescoes have vivid colours and represent happy scenes from everyday life and festivities. These frescoes in combination with the fact that the Minoan towns had no walls show that the Minoans had peaceful relationships with other cultures and did not interfere in wars. Other important Minoan sites in Crete are the Minoan Palace of Phaestos and the Palace of Zakros.

Mycenaean Architecture

Mycenaean architecture

The Mycenaean architecture, that flourished from 1600 to 1200 BC, differs a lot from the Minoan. Unlike the Minoans, whose society was based on trade, the Mycenaean society advanced through warfare. The Mycenaeans were frequently involved in wars and that is why their towns had so strong and tall walls. These walls took the name Cyclopean because people thought that only Cyclopes could lift the huge stones to build them. The walls of Mycenae and Tiryntha have very characteristic Cyclopean walls. Very typical of Mycenaen architecture are also the vaulted tombs where king and high priests were usually buried. In fact, the most famous vaulted tomb is the Treasury of Atreus in Mycenae, which is believed to be the tomb of king Agamemnon.

Classical Architecture

Classical architecture

Architecture in the Greek classical antiquity reveals unique marble temples that were characterized by three different orders: the austere Doric style, the elegant Ionian style and the Corinthian style. a mixture of the two previous styles. All over the mainland of Greece and the Greek islands, there are many ancient temples dedicated to various gods, including the temple of Apollo in Delphi, the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens, the temple of Athena Aphaia in Aegina and others. However, the greatest Greek monument is the Temple of Parthenon, constructed on the sacred site of the Acropolis Athens. The Parthenon, built from 447 to 438 BC, is a brilliant example of Doric and Ionian architecture. This octostyle, peripteral temple was dedicated to goddess Athena, the protector of the town, and housed a giant chryselephantine statue of Athena Parthenon, sculpted by Phidias. The Corinthian style was not so popular in the classical architecture, but still a very important monument in Athens is made of Corinthian rhythm: the Temple of Olympian Zeus in the city centre.

Very typical structures of the Classical architecture are also the Ancient Theatres. At first, these theatres were actually places of gathering for people who wanted to take part in a ritual. For example, during the festivities to honor a god, people would gather in the theatre to take part in the offerings headed by the priest of the god. With the invention of theatre as an art form, the drama performances became part of such religious festivities and thus they were presented in the theatres. The most typical ancient Greek theatre is the Theatre of Epidaurus that was constructed in the 4th century BC and stands out for the perfect symmetry and amazing accoustics. Other famous theatres are the Theatre of Dionysus, that is considered the first theatre of the world, and the Theatre of Herodes Atticus, both located at the foot of the Acropolis.

Roman Architecture

Roman Architecture

In the 2nd century BC, the Romans conquered Greece and marked a new era in the Greek architecture. The Roman architecture was actually a mixture of the ancient Greek, the Phoenician and the Etruscan style with few influences from other cultures of the Roman empire. In Athens particularly, there are many structures from the Roman period with characteristic arches and stone carvings of Roman battles. The Arch of Hadrian, for example, was constructed in 132 AD to mark the borders between the old (classical) Athens and the new (Roman) part of the town. The Roman Agora and the Library of Hadrian are also important structures and so is the Stoa of Attalos, the first mall in the world.

Byzantine Architecture

Byzantine Architecture

As the Eastern Roman Empire was gradually transformed in the Byzantine Empire in the 3rd and 4th century AD, a new architectural style made its presence. The Byzantine Empire had a strong religious base and quickly Christianity was made the official religion. Many churches were constructed in the almost 10 centuries that the Byzantine Empire lasted. Although the first Byzantine churches had one central aisle and oblong size, then a great innovation appeared: the dome. The typical Byzantine church, as dominated along time, has a square plan crowned by one or more circular domes. The floor and the church yard had impressive mosaics, while the walls were decorated with coloured frescoes. The most usual material for the construction of a church was the brick. The most famous Byzantine church is the Church of Agia Sofia in Constantinople, while very interesting Byzantine chapels are found in Mystras, Thessaloniki, Meteora and Mount Athos.

Medieval Architecture

Medieval Architecture

As the Byzantine Empire was starting to fall down in the 12th century BC, Greece was gradually conquered by the Venetians. Till 1453, when Constantinople fell to the Ottomans, the Venetians had already conquered the western side of the old Byzantine Empire, as the eastern side had been conquered by the Ottomans. Therefore, almost all the mainland of Greece and the Greek islands were at the hand of Venice. The Venetians reconstructed the towns with stone houses, paved streets and many public buildings. They also reinforced the ports, as the largest part of the Venetian societies was coming from trade. The most famous Venetian towns in Greece are the Old Town of Rhodes, Corfu, Chania and Rethymno in Crete.

The Venetians had no large army, but they had a very powerful fleet. Their war strategy was to build strong castles that could resist the Turkish or Arabian attacks till help would arrive from the sea. This they built huge castles in every strategic part of the Greek mainland and in almost all the Greek islands. The majority of these castles underwent few reconstructions along time and survive till today.

Ottoman Architecture

Ottoman Architecture

After the 16th century, almost the entire country fell to the Ottomans, who also left a vivid sign in many towns and islands. Ottoman remains include mosques, baths, fortification towers and castles in strategic spots. Very characteristic Ottoman monuments are the mosques in Kos, Crete and Rhodes as well as the Ottoman baths in the Old Town of Chania.

Neoclassical architecture

Neoclassic Architecture

The establishment of the modern Greek state in the late 1820s, after four centuries of Ottoman rule, marks a crucial point in the historical course of Greece. King Otto, the first king of modern Greece, tried to inspire a new sence of nationalism to the citizens. In this effort to connect the glorious classical past with the present, he made Athens the capital of Greece, he ordered to found the modern town of Sparta and also invited the famous Austrian architect Theophil Hansen to build monuments of Neoclassical style all over Greece, an architectural style that was already flourishing in Europe that time.

Theophil Hansen and his student Ernst Ziller designed many important buildings of Neoclassical style in Greece, including the Neoclassical trilogy in the centre of Athens: the Academy, the Library and the University of Athens. Particularly Ziller traveled all around the country and designed any kind of buildings, from private houses to town halls, theatre, train stations and churches. Among his most famous works are the Presidential Mansion of Athens, the Athens Numismatic Museum that was originally the house of archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, the Town Hall of Syros, the Apollo Theatre in Patras, the Church of Saint Gregory Palamas in Thessaloniki, the Royal Palace in Tatoi Attica, the train station in Olympia and many others.

The most characteristic features of the Neoclassical style are the symmetrical shape, the tall columns that rise the full height of the building, the triangular pediment and the domed roof. One great example of the Neoclassical architecture is the town of Nafplion in Peloponnese.

More: Cycladic architecture

Cycladic Architecture

The Greek islands are known for their special architecture. More, the ambassador of Greek islands architecture is the Cyclades. The local architecture in the Cyclades islands has a special interest, highlighting beautiful houses, stones churches and paved town streets. The most characteristic feature of Cycladic architecture is the colours: blue and white are the dominating colours in all the islands of the complex. It is quite interesting the fact that houses were painted in these two colours after a government act. The Greek prime-minister Ioannis Metaxas actually ordered in 1936 the inhabitants of Cyclades to paint their houses white with blue doors and windows so that these colours match with the blue sky and the white wave foams of Greece. These two colours are also used for churches, as the walls are painted white and the domes are blue.

The houses in Cyclades are small and have a rectangular shape with a flat roof, as the strong winds do not allow the construction of triangular roofs. They are built with stones and bricks and most of them have flowered yards or gardens. The inner streets of the towns are narrow and paved, as in the old times all transportation was done on foot or by donkey. Most capitals in the islands of Cyclades are called Chora. Many of them are built on the back side of slopes, so that they were not visible by pirates that used to plunder the Aegean islands till the late 19th century.
One of the most beautiful sample of Cycladic architecture can be seen in the villages of Oia in Santorini island.
More about Cycladic architecture

Share it!  
Photos of Architecture (80)
Architecture info by location

The Community
Our Services
Car rentalFerriesHotelsToursIsland hopping packagesCustomized holiday

Other social networks


Be the first to get news and special offers!

Latest members' photos
Window and wall in Nafplion
.....another journey begins :)).....
The church in the main square
A small chapel just outside the Chora