The long history of Greece is extremely complex, its ancient cultures overlaid with influences of Hittites and Persians whose empires reached parts of Greece. In 1829, Greece became independent from the Ottoman Empire; yet the imprint of Byzantines and Ottomans are difficult to separate from the architecture that is identified as vernacular.

The Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas, and the Pindus Alps and Rhodope mountain ranges occupy the major part of the Greek landscape and established its various climates. These factors, along with the various cultural influences and the presence of earthquake activity have contributed to the different types of vernacular architecture with adobe brick or stone above grade that are still found.