APOLLO'S TEMPLE
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Do not miss the temple of Apollo located near the small church Panaghia Myrtidiotissa.
As soon as you arrive by boat, a postcard-like landscape is set up: the majestic marble door of the temple of Apollo, near the small church Panaghia Myrtidiotissa, built on an islet in the middle of the harbour. It is undoubtedly the symbol of Naxos and obviously the most famous and most photographed monument of the Cyclades: the gate (portara) of the temple of Apollo. Composed of four blocks of marble, each weighing 20 tons, it dominates the ruins of a stylobate and a few fallen columns. It is all that remains of the temple dedicated to Apollo built at the time of the tyrant Lygdamis, around 530 BC. From various sources it is known that the temple remained unfinished, but its plan (Ionic building with three naves) is still discernible. However, it is assumed that the building was well advanced, since many marble blocks and columns from the site were used for the construction of the kastro in the Middle Ages. There are also traces of a church built on the ruins of the temple in the 6th or 7th century. According to legend, it was here that Theseus abandoned Ariadne on his return from Crete after defeating the Minotaur. It is also here that the beauty was rescued (kidnapped, in fact) by Dionysus. For this reason, it is assumed that this is where the Dionysian cult first developed. The place is very busy in season, especially for newlyweds who come here to have their pictures taken. In the evening, people flock here to admire the sunset.
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Members' reviews on APOLLO'S TEMPLE
Nice view of the city and its port.
In any case, you can not miss it, you can see it as arrived in ferry!
At the end of the port, a few minutes to get there.
Very beautiful photos to do at sunset, but many it even idea!
Unmissable, you can see it on arrival in the ferry port and it is only 10 minutes to get there. Must: to get to admire the sunset!