User:JustinePorto/Public toilets in Greece

Public toilets in Greece are located in parks, public squares, near tourist areas, in bars and restaurants. They are not very clean, and toilet paper cannot be flushed down the toilets. The Greeks invented the first flush toilets, which were used in public toilets by the Minoans.

Public toilets
A 2021 study found there were seven public toilets per 100,000 people. Public toilets are often located below ground level in parks or public squares. Bus stations often have public toilets. Public toilets outside of tourist areas are frequently very dirty. Restaurants and bars often have toilets that can be used by clients. Flush toilets are not equipped to deal with toilet paper, with bins frequently provided next to toilets for it to be disposed in.

Modern history
Rolls of toilet paper were first sold in Europe in 1928. Soft paper rolls were not introduced to Europe until 1942. Many people used newspapers for toilet paper in the early part of the 20th century. In more recent times, the use of the bidet in Greece has declined.

In the 1990s, there were few public toilets in the Ionian Islands. Most of the ones that did exist were very dirty. When people were out and needed to use the toilet, they tended to use ones at restaurants. In the 1990s in the Ionian Islands, toilet paper could not be put into a toilet bowl and flushed; instead, it needed to be put into a small bin next to the toilet.

New York City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone showed the body pictures of public toilets in 1990 that were found in Athens, Greece. He demanded that similar public toilets be constructed in New York City.

In the 1990s, there was only one public toilet with wheelchair access in Spianádha. It was often out of order. Public toilets were located in subterranean locations in public squares or parks in the 1990s in Corfu and Argostóli. They were often very dirty. Public toilets in Kérkyra were located at Platía I. Theotóki, on Platía Sarókko and on Platía Spiliás. If attendants are present, patrons are expected to leave a gratuity of around €0,50. The public toilets did not provide toilet paper. Because of narrow drains in Corfu, toilet paper cannot be flushed down toilets as it would result in clogs. Bins are provided in public toilets for toilet paper disposal.

In the mid-1990s, public toilets were rare at most marinas on Greek islands.

Ancient Greece
The ancient Greeks used pieces of ceramic to clean themselves after using the toilet. Minoans on the island of Crete invented some of the first flush toilets. These were first built between 2000 CE and 1600 CE, were used for public toilets and had drainage systems for those toilets. During the Hellenistic period, as a result of advances in toilet technology, the Greeks built a large number of public toilets.

One of the major differences between the ancient Greeks and ancient Romans was that the Romans supported public baths so that all classes of the population could maintain a certain level of cleanliness. The ancient Romans also prioritized providing clean water for use in public baths and fountains. Athens lacked public toilets. Most of the water brought in via pipes was used for public fountains and not sanitation.