NAXOS TRAVEL GUIDE

NAXOS > ARCHAEOLOGY

ARCHAEOLOGY

Portara

The first thing you see as the ship enters Naxos' port, is the Portara. It is built on the small island of Palatia and is the gatway to the ancient Apollo Temple, which was never completed.

The Portara was built in the middle of the 6th century BC, when the tyrant, Lygdame, ruled the island. The island, which is called Palatia by the locals, is connected to the tragic myth of Ariadne. According to mythology, Thesseus abandoned Ariadne on the island. It was then that Dionysos saw her and married her. There is another scenario according to which Ariadne was drawn into the sea.

Dimitra’s Temple

Near the village of Sagri in the area of Giroulas excavations brought to light the remains of an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess, Dimitra.

It is a structure dating back to the oppressor Lygdamidos (530 BC) and belongs to his ambitious structural programme, similar to the one built by his Athenian friend, Pesistratos.

The building has a square plan and an inner collonade of Ion style. It is a very rare marble building half of which has been saved. It gives information about the way the marble roof was made and about the first buildings of Ion style. It is the forerunner of classic attic architecture.

Ancient City

On the north side of the port, at Grotta, the archaeological excavations brought to light the remains of Naxo's mycinaic town. According to the findings it is a part of the settlement's ancient market.

This town flourished in 1300BC. It is well worth a visit.