The “Iliakos” – The Yard

Access and Layout

The house is accessible from the main road through a “xoporti” (main entrance) situated right beneath the first-floor balcony. The “xoporti” leads directly into the “iliakos”, a rectangular partly-covered area situated, as is the custom, on the south side of the complex, which links up with the yard by way of an arched colonnade.
The north wall of the “iliakos” features two doorways: one leading to the room with the “sente” (loft), and the other to the “dichoro” (main house). The “iliakos” also features a staircase which leads up to the first floor.

The Iliakos and the Arches

The “iliakos”, including the arched colonnade, was the partly-covered area between the main building and the yard. It consists of three contiguous stone-hewn arches, supported by low stone-hewn monolithic columns and capitals featuring a sculpted decoration.

Use of the Space

Given the high summer temperatures, the “iliakos” would be where the family would place their beds, with the space serving as an open-air bedroom.
The fine weather of the region, with sunshine during most months of the year, allowed the family to pursue many of its household chores in the yard.

Social Life and Gatherings

On Sundays, and weather permitting, the family would eat in the “iliakos”, seated around a large table. The “iliakos” would also see the holding of most of the family’s gatherings and celebrations (Green Monday, Easter etc).

The Swing

Situated in the middle of the arch one sees the “tertzellin” or “gritzellin” (large iron ring), where the “sousa” (swing) would be attached.

Auxiliary Areas of the Yard

The space also contained the clay oven used for the baking of bread and cooking.
Situated just a few metres away were the areas where the livestock and poultry were kept. At the bottom of the yard, one comes across the cistern and the wheel-well.