Abstract
Nowadays, top-rated tourist attractions in Greece are ancient archaeological places and islands with blue-and-white esthetics. The country’s projected impression is greatly based on these two distinguished representations, chosen for their distinctive architecture scattered in the Greek landscape. Both imageries seem to be officially promoted in order to configure today’s national identity. The classical antiquities are related to the birthplace of European civilization, whereas the notion of the unspoilt archipelago with the whitewashed Cycladic houses works as a symbol of purity and eternity. The present article focuses on the analysis of these two Greek heritage scenarios and, subsequently, on their deconstruction. It aims to investigate the interaction between myth and reality and their role in forming the perception of contemporary Greece. The article argues that there is not a unique architectural history to come to light and, therefore, the highlighting of specific periods of it probably conceals intentions concerning patrimony management: selective excavation among the layers of history, historic preservation of selected buildings, and laws which impose the maintenance of certain findings or specific colors are some indicative signs. It also investigates the ways in which national heritage is directed and affected according to certain policies—local or foreign—that aim at a cultural investment in the world history.
Highlights
Greece’s projected image seems as though it can be largely classified into two categories: the idea of classical antiquities and the notion of the unspoilt archipelago with the whitewashed Cycladic houses (Figure 1)
Ancient Greece serves as a good reference to study this interaction
It serves the foundations of the civilization of modernity and, on the other hand, it works by demonstrating a link with Modern Greece
Summary
Greece’s projected image seems as though it can be largely classified into two categories: the idea of classical antiquities and the notion of the unspoilt archipelago with the whitewashed Cycladic houses (Figure 1). Antiquity on the one hand and the Cyclades on the other hand became synonymous with Greek origins Relying on these two recognizable architectural notions, the country became a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. SShhoorrtt OOvveerrvviieeww ooff TToouurriissmm iinn GGrreeeeccee IInn tthhee eeaarrllyy 2200tthh cceennttuurryy,, tthhee iinnaaddeeqquuaaccyy ooff iinnffrraassttrruuccttuurreess ((bbootthh aaccccoommmmooddaattiioonn aanndd rrooaadd nneettwwoorrkk)) mmaaddee tthhee GGrreeeekk iinnllaanndd iinnaacccceessssiibbllee ttoo ppootteennttiiaall vviissiittoorrss. After modernization progress was guaranteed, the country started gradually building a profile of one of the last authentic paradises left in Europe based on the idea of classical Greece (Section 3) and the unspoilt archipelago with the whitewashed Cycladic houses (Section 4), imageries that are still in the spotlight
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