The architectural style of cave houses on Santorini (Greece) relates to its rich maritime past. Typical sailorsÂ’ houses are hollowed in the volcanic rock with only arched entrance visible outside. Such homes required small amount of building materials and gave good protection against rain and gusty winds. Cave houses called yposkafo or hyposkafa had a long, narrow space, with vaulted ceiling. These homes had usually two rooms, one behind the other. Daylight and fresh air could enter only through door and two small windows at the facade. Such underground dwellings were inhabited by the poorer part of the local society. Captains and ship owners had their much bigger freestanding residences build on the top of the volcanic rim. Over time, more and more traditional caves houses are transformed into modern hotels. It is worth to experience the claustrophobic feeling when spending a night in one of these caves.
