Balconies

Reading the title of this post you may think I'm struggling to find topics for my blog. Think again, dear reader! There are a plethora of minute details here that my hypersensitive, over-caffeinated brain processes every day. Not all those thoughts are blog worthy, but I think this one is. So, balconies. They are an essential part of houses here. In Florida, not every apartment will have a balcony and the ones that do either have insufficient space or lack any semblance of functionality. In Athens balconies are everywhere and even the smallest balcony is put to use. Even our dorms have balconies (see mine below)

I've noticed that the majority of these spaces are populated by greenery, even near the city center. They also usually have a place to sit even if there is only room for a chair or two. The proliferation of balconies coupled with the fact that they are an integral part of the home got me thinking. Why do Greeks value balconies when Americans don't? What makes a balcony so special? Part of the issue could be the climate. In Florida, sitting outside means being swarmed by mosquitoes while being suffocated by humidity. Either that or being pelted by driving rain. Here the climate isn't as harsh and a light breeze can make a world of difference during the summer time. But the answer can't be that simple. I think it has ancient roots (says the History major, unsurprisingly). The Ancient Greeks had a central courtyard that was open to the elements once you entered the home. This plaster model is how I envision Greek architecture in my mind's eye.

The courtyard was the center of activity in the home. It was open to the outdoors but sheltered from the outside world. It was safe and private but also open. But space started running out in cities like Athens. Houses take up lots of space. So buildings had to grow. Apartment buildings sprung up to accommodate the influx of people. And the same architecture that Greeks used before became a rare breed. They had to succumb to modernity and catch up to the rest of the world. Yet somehow they had to integrate essential aspects of their unique culture. You get where I'm going with this. My theory is that the balcony is an adaptation of the earlier courtyard. It may not be central in the home anymore, but it's still essential. And even if it isn't the hub of household activity it is still a part of everyday life. The tradition of combining the indoor and outdoor in Greek homes is still alive and well and I don't see that changing anytime soon.