APOLLO'S TEMPLE
Do not miss the temple of Apollo located near the small church Panaghia Myrtidiotissa.
As soon as you arrive by boat, you're greeted by a postcard landscape: the majestic marble gate of the Temple of Apollo (Ναός του Απόλλωνα), close to the small church of Panaghia Myrtidiotissa, built on an islet in the middle of the harbor. It's indisputably the symbol of Naxos and obviously the best-known and most photographed monument in the Cyclades: the gate(portara) of the temple of Apollo. Composed of four marble blocks, each weighing 20 tonnes, it dominates the ruins of a stylobate and a few fallen columns. This is all that remains of the temple dedicated to Apollo, built at the time of the tyrant Lygdamis, around 530 BC. From various sources, we know that the temple remained unfinished, but its plan (an Ionic edifice with three naves) is still discernible. However, it is assumed that the building was well advanced, as many marble blocks and columns from the site were used in the construction of the kastro in the Middle Ages. Traces of a church built on the ruins of the temple in the 6th or 7th century can also be seen. According to legend, it was here that Theseus abandoned Ariadne on his return from Crete after defeating the Minotaur. It was also here that Ariadne was rescued (abducted, in fact) by Dionysus. For this reason, it's assumed that the Dionysian cult first developed here. It's a busy place in season, especially for newlyweds, who come here to have their photos taken. In the evening, it's a popular place to watch the sunset.
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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!