DELOS
The island of Delos, home to civilizations as far back as 2500 BCE, is one of the world’s most important archaeological sites. As the mythological birthplace of the sun god, Apollo, and his twin, Artemis, the goddess of the moon and the hunt, it was the most sacred place of worship in ancient Greece. The old port, with its magnificent sanctuary, amphitheatre and dwellings, can be explored.
NEED TO KNOW
Delos Archaeological Museum: Delos; 22890 22259; open Apr–Oct: 8am–8pm daily, Nov–Mar: 8am–3pm Tue–Sun; adm €12, concessions €6
- There is hardly any shade around, so wear sunscreen and a hat to guard against the sun. Also, take bottled water to avoid dehydration.
- Next to the museum is a café that serves a range of refreshments.
Delos
1. Theatre Quarter
The remains of lavish homes, many with colonnaded courtyards, suggest that the Theatre Quarter was a small but exclusive residential neighbourhood. Its key feature is a spectacular amphitheatre which was designed to hold over 5,000 spectators.
Amphitheatre in the Theatre Quarter
2. Sacred Lake
According to legend, this lake was where Apollo and Artemis were born to Leto. Though dry now, a wall denotes its boundaries.
3. Sanctuary of Apollo
With its three temples, the Great Temple of Apollo (477 BCE), Pórinos Naós (6th century BCE), and the later Temple of Athenians, this sanctuary would have been at the heart of Delos culture. Sadly, little remains of the temples today.
4. Delos Archaeological Museum
Established in 1904, this museum exhibits several artifacts dating from prehistoric times to the late Hellenistic period. Five 7th-century BCE lion statues, carved from Naxian marble, are also on display here. Their replicas stand to the north of the ruins, and overlook the Sacred Lake.
Delos Archaeological Museum
5. Hall of the Poseidoniasts
The cultic hall housed meeting rooms belonging to Beirut merchants who worshipped Baal (known as Poseidon) here.
6. Temple of the Delians
The classic Doric-style Temple of the Delians is one of the many excavated, along with the Roman-era Temple of Isis and the 5th-century Temple of Hera.
7. Sanctuary of Dionysos
Dedicated to Dionysos, god of wine and ecstasy, and Zeus’s son, this sanctuary was once used for ritual worship and is known for its 2,300-year-old phallic monuments.
Sanctuary of Dionysos
8. Agorá of the Competaliasts
The remains of shops and potholes for awnings can still be seen in the Hellenistic-era marketplace, occupying an area near the Sacred Harbour. The stone-paved ground is heavily worn.
9. Maritime Quarter
Revolving around the Sacred Harbour, the Maritime Quarter was the primary residential area of Delos. Among the ruins are floor mosaics of the mansions built by wealthy merchants. The House of Masks has a fine mosaic of Dionysus riding a panther.
10. House of Dolphins
With its floor mosaic of dolphins at play, this house to the amphitheatre’s north is very well preserved. Dating from the 2nd century BCE, it gives an insight into the fashion of the day.
Floor mosiac in House of Dolphins
PEOPLE OF DELOS
In 426 BCE, the Athenians decided to “cleanse” the island for reasons of piety. Thousands of inhabitants were exiled. It was declared that no one would ever be born, die or be buried in this holy place. Graves were opened and the remains removed. As a result, the island was abandoned, and remains uninhabited.
