The remains of one of the biggest and most organized civilizations of the Greek-Roman antiquity can be found on Delos.
This is the sacred island of ancient Greece. Based on Greek mythology, Leto found shelter on this island to give birth to Apollonas and Artemis while she was being pursued by Goddess Hera.
The first inhabitants of the island were the Kares, probably around the 3rd millennium B.C. In the beginning of the 10th century B.C. it was transformed into an amphictyony center and towards the end of the 6th century B.C. the Athenians try to dominate the sacred island. In 540 B.C. Peisistratos ordered the first cleansing of the island while the second one came in 426 B.C. when all the bones of the dead of Delos were transferred onto a neighboring island (Rhenia) and births/deaths were forbidden on the island of Apollonas so that the temple will not be ‘tainted’. In 315 B.C. the Macedonians freed the island and thus it could become independent and develop commercially.
Later, the Romans settled on the island and we notice the first arrivals of Egyptians, Syrians and Italians. The island develops even further but this stops in 88 B.C. with the Mithridatic Wars. After two consecutive attacks, Delos started declining until it was completely abandoned in the 6th century B.C. Many centuries later, the French Archaeological School started excavations on the island (1873) and the history of Delos finally surfaced and became known to the world. The archaeological museum of Delos is one of the most important museums of Greece and houses many rare exhibits like statues, vessels, epigraphs and mosaics.
Delos and Rhenia are sites protected by the Ministry of Culture. The mooring of boats and accommodation is strictly prohibited unless special permission is acquired.
Among the most important monuments of Delos, you will find:
The Hellenistic Agora of the Competaliasts. A market square near the port. On the northern part of the square there is the temple of Hermes whereas on the eastern and southern parts you can see a series of shops and workshops.
The Temple of Delians. It is the biggest of the three temples of Apollonas. Its construction started in 478 B.C. but was interrupted in the mid 5th century. Although another attempt to finish the construction was made, the temple was never completed.
The Minoan Fountain. It is a rectangular public well, carved in a rock in the second half of the 6th century. There are stairs that lead down to the fountain. It was functional until the Hellenistic period and then it was turned into a dwelling.
The Terrace of the Lions. They are marble guardian lions, dedicated to Apollonas. Even though they used to be sixteen in total, only five of them (and parts of three more) still exist. The lions create a monumental avenue leading to Skardanas port.
The meeting hall of the Poseidoniasts. This building housed an association of merchants warehousemen, shipowners and innkeepers during the late 2nd century BC.
The platform of the Stoivadeion. It is dedicated to Dionysus. On either side of the platform, a pillar supports a colossal phallus, the symbol of Dionysus. The southern pillar, which is decorated with scenes from the Dionysiac circle, was erected in 300 BC to celebrate a winning theatrical performance.
The Theater. The wooden theater was replaced with today’s theater made of stone in the 3rd century B.C. It has a capacity of 5.500 spectators.
The Doric Temple of Isis. It was built on a high over-looking hill at the beginning of the Roman period in the honor of Isis, the goddess-protector of all sailors.
The Temple of Hera. Built in 500 BC, this temple is actually a rebuilding of an earlier temple on the same site dating back to 7th century B.C.
The House of Dionysus. This is a luxurious 2nd century house named after the floor mosaic of Dionysus riding a panther.
How to get there:
Daily, by boat from Mykonos, and if the weather conditions permit it.
For more information, please contact the Port Authority of Mykonos
