The Bodrum district of Turkey's Muğla province is famous for its wooden-door homes with blue windows that were designed to defeat time, 100-year old white buildings that smell of bougainvillea. It is believed that the use of white is good for keeping the insects out while blue wards off bad luck from the "evil eyes."
These historic houses in Bodrum are also one-of-a-kinds in terms of their curb appeal, standing as attractive stone houses with two floors and uniquely built in various architectural designs. Looking at these homes, the first thing that strikes the eye is the white paint on the outside and the colors of blue that are used on the wooden doors and window panes.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Bodrum Mayor Mehmet Kocadon said the region stands out with its urban identity and the fantastic views created by these white houses that add another dimension to their attractiveness, which has been always preserved and will continue to be preserved. "Our houses withstood the latest earthquakes. No casualties were recorded, proving the durability of these homes. No insects can be found in these houses that are painted white. The doors and window panes are painted blue in accordance with local tradition, as Bodrum natives believe in the ‘evil eye' and hang blue pendants around their homes. Plants and flowers unique to Bodrum," said Kocadon.
Associate Professor Özcan Özkan from Çankırı Karatekin University's Faculty of Science Biology Department said lime is used to expel insects and signal hygiene, adding that as a result scorpions that feed on insects are also prevented from entering homes. Özkan noted that the belief that white lime protects people from scorpions is also widely practiced in the Aegean region, going on to say that while lime is scientifically proven to be useful, the blue color being used to protect against the "evil eye" is pure superstition "These houses were built this way for fighting off evil and harmful insects. Lime is suitable for this, as it also prevents any insects from building nests," Özkan said.
Fatma Yıldırım, 67, who lives in Bodrum noted that, in the past, the houses were built only with mud, stones and lime and no paint was used. "We have believed for years that lime protects us from poison and that blue protects us from the evil eye in this region," Yıldırım said.
