Geography, Tradition, and the Individual: Greek Architecture

In modern times architecture in Greece has become a vibrant field that builds on the country's historic traditions to meet the needs of contemporary cities and towns. An international conference at the University of California, Santa Barbara, brought together prominent Greek architects and architectural historians to discuss trends and directions of architecture in Greece and internationally, the Greek architectural tradition, and architectural developments over the past 50 years. Series: Voices [12/2009] [Humanities] [Show ID: 14712]

America's Neoclassical Building Tradition

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Neoclassical and Greek Revival architecture are two of America's most recognized building forms. Though not in wide use today, these styles, characterized by columns, tall facades, and simple white exteriors, can be easily found on many of the nation's historic landmarks and government buildings, including The White House. Students of architecture can expect these forms to endure for centuries longer, thanks to their integral role in the American social fabric.

While essentially a school of its own, Greek Revival is style within the Neoclassical tradition, which began in the mid-18th century. Neoclassicism originated in Europe as a reaction against naturalistic Rococo architecture, and as a progression beyond Late-Baroque building styles. In its purest form, the movement was one that simply revisited and paid tribute to the forms of Classical Greece, while applying itself to modern architecture. This widespread interest in Greece coincided with a wave of archeology in the Mediterranean region, which produced many stunning examples of Greek art and engineering. The finds were so numerous and consistently amazing that they shifted the way historians interpreted Greek and Roman civilization - many now saw Greece as the defining influence of western culture, instead of Rome, as was previously thought. The result was a re-energized interest in Greek art and architecture, fueled in part by the many new building and design examples unearthed at the time in Greece. The Greek Revival is often seen as the last phase of the Neoclassical movement.

Besides its unique political and cultural heritage, Greek Revival architecture is also distinct for its use of front gables, and occasionally employing hipped roofs.

Greek Revival architecture quickly became popular in America, and by the early 19th century was being applied to many public institutions across the nation. The interest was largely a result of America's fledgling national identity as a world-power democracy in the tradition of Greece. This image of America was promoted heavily by wealthy home builders and political leaders alike, particularly following the war of 1812, which cast America's previous mentor nation, England, in an unfavorable light. Along the Eastern Seaboard and throughout the South, Greek Revival architecture became synonymous with high-end estates and plantations. High-profile examples of Greek Revival architecture from this period include Philadelphia's Second Bank of the United States, and the Jefferson Memorial and United States Capitol in Washington, DC.

Meanwhile, the Neoclassical movement continued to have a less political influence art and architecture - many American commercial and public buildings from the early 19th century are said to originate in the broader neoclassical tradition, while homes built at this time were commonly attributed to the more focussed Greek Revival school.

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Amorgos Greece - For Peace and Authentic Tradition

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Amorgos is an excellent vacation destination among the Greek islands. Surrounded by imposing rocky cliffs, the valleys of Amorgos are dotted with beautiful flowers and vegetation and the coastline strip is filled with some very unique beaches that serve as lovely tourist spots.

Amorgos is a place where nature is abundant. It is a soothing experience to just keep hiking along the countryside paths to see the various exotic creations of nature on the island. The picturesque villages and the generous nature of the locals make the tour around the island memorable. Also you will come across the authentic traditional culture that the islanders hold dear to their heart despite the chances of commercialization brought on by tourism.

Chora is the capital of Amorgos, a lovely traditional village positioned on the slopes of a hill. The road leading to this village is quite long and winding. The highest point of this village is dominated by a 13th century Venetian castle. Chora is a lovely place and comprises of pretty white washed houses and narrow paved alleys, while the view from some points is amazing.

Close to Chora, there is the top attraction of the island, the Byzantine Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa. The architecture of this monastery is highly acclaimed since it is carved into the walls of the cliff on which it stands. According to local tradition, each Easter the icon of Virgin Mary is taken out of the monastery to be roamed about the entire island.

Amorgos is also home to spectacular beaches. Some of them have clear nice soft sand, whereas others are filled with small pebbles that are strewn all over the coastline. The most famous beach of Amorgos is probably Agia Anna, in a walking distance from the monastery of Hozoviotissa. If you have seen the film "The Big Blue", you will probably recognize this place, as some scenes from the movie were filmed in the isolate beach of Agia Anna.

The most popular tourist resorts of Amorgos are Katapola and Aegiali, which also serve as the main ports of the island. One on the northern side and the other on the southern, these two seaside villages were fishing villages once but over the last years, they grow into peaceful tourism resorts with many facilities to offer.

As the atmosphere of Amorgos is highly relaxing, these two resorts are following this style. Although most hotels on the island are located there, visitors will not feel crowded or packed. They will laze in the sandy beaches, relax and enjoy the hot Greek sun with the beautiful landscape of Amorgos around them.

More information about Amorgos island and Amorgos hotels.