Temple of Apollo, Naxos (must see)

The Temple of Apollo, also known as Portara, is the most recognizable landmark of Naxos and one of the most striking ancient monuments in the Cyclades. Standing on the small islet of Palatia at the entrance to the harbor of Naxos Town, the structure is best known for its massive marble doorway, called the Portara. This monumental gateway is all that remains of a large temple that was begun in the 6th century BCE but never completed. Even in its unfinished state, the site gives visitors a powerful impression of the ambition and importance of ancient Naxos.

As you walk along the stone causeway that connects the islet of Palatia to the main harbor, the Portara gradually rises in front of you. The enormous marble gateway stands about six meters high and is built from large blocks of local Naxian marble, a material for which the island was famous in antiquity. Passing through the gateway, you are standing where the entrance to the temple’s main chamber would have been. From this point you can easily imagine the scale of the sanctuary that was planned here more than 2,500 years ago.

Construction of the temple began around 530 BCE during the rule of the local tyrant Lygdamis, who intended to create a grand sanctuary dedicated to the god Apollo. However, the project was abandoned when Lygdamis was overthrown, leaving the temple unfinished. Over time, much of the structure was dismantled or lost, but the enormous gateway remained standing. The location of the monument at the entrance of the harbor was also symbolic, greeting ancient sailors arriving on the island and emphasizing Naxos’s importance as a maritime center in the Aegean.

Stand near the edge of the site and look back toward the harbor and the white houses of Naxos Town, and you will see why this spot is one of the most photographed places on the island. The view stretches across the sea, the town, and the surrounding hills. The site is also linked to Greek mythology: according to legend, this is where the hero Theseus abandoned Ariadne after leaving Crete. Today, the Portara is especially famous at sunset, when the sun slowly descends behind the marble gateway and frames the monument against the colors of the Aegean sky.