Delos Island - Mykonos Island Guide 
What makes Delos one of the most outstanding archeological sites in Greece is the fact that it is an entire ancient city, complete with its own port, temples, and sanctuaries, market places, theater, gymnasium, stadium, and many private residences, which remain in a well-preserved condition. The birthplace of Apollo, a very important place of worship, a cosmopolitan town, and a busy port, Delos was all of these rolled together. Discover Delos: As one leaves the modern, cosmopolitan Mykonos behind, heading for Delos for the first time, one cannot but wonder why the ancient Greeks chose this small rocky island (5 sq. km.) as the birthplace of God Appollo and as his most important sanctuary, rather that any one of the bigger, more fertile neighboring island. What is certain is that in ancient Greece nothing occurred truly by chance, thus the location , founding and functioning of shires, temples and oracles complied with specific criteria. Moreover it is a well-known fact that the sunlight over Delos is of even greater brightness and penetrating clarity that that of any other sun-drenched islands of the Cyclades. Is it really any wonder then, that Delos was the most suitable choice as the birthplace of Apollo, the god of light and the sun god? |
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Visit of Delos Boats from Mykonos arrive on the west coast of Delos Island, in the Commercial Harbor near the south end of the ruins. The island is small, only 1.2km wide and covering 5 sq km of barren, hilly landscape. The ruins of ancient Delos extend north and south along the coast and consist of four main areas: the Maritime Quarter (next to the harbor); Theater District (southeast of the harbor); Sanctuary of Apollo (north of the harbor in the center of the site); and Lion District (north end of the ruins). A small tourist center in the Sanctuary of Apollo includes a pricey restaurant and bar, but no overnight accommodations. Informational signs among the ruins are in Greek and French. |
Sacred Way to Apollo Sanctuary The first major monument visitors encounter is the Agora of the Competialists (c.150 BC), an open area occupying the area between the Sacred Harbor and the Commercial Harbor. In the center of the ruins is a round shrine and a square base, where offerings were placed. From the left side of the Agora, the Sacred Way (or Dromos) leads to the Sanctuary of Apollo. A paved road 45 feet wide, the Sacred Way is lined with marble bases that once supported statues and monuments donated by kings and generals. This was the route traveled by ancient pilgrims and the annual procession during the Delia festival. |
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Sanctuary of Apollo The Sanctuary of Apollo was the ancient heart of Delos and is the most important area for today's visitors as well. It once contained three great temples dedicated to Apollo along with many other temples, altars and monuments. Also nearby are the Sacred Lake, Sanctuary of Dionysus, site museum and tourist pavilion. Entrance to the sanctuary from the Sacred Way was marked by the Propylaea (c.150 BC) three portals made of white marble and supported by four Doric columns. Sadly, little remains of the great temples today. The first of them is the Great Temple of Apollo, begun around 477 BC, neglected after the treasury was transferred to Athens in 454 BC, and finally completed in the 200s BC. It was a Doric peripteral structure with six rows of 13 columns measuring 29.6m by 13.4m. The metopes were left plain and the architrave was decorated only with palm leaves and lion spouts. Inland of the sanctuary is the tourist pavilion and site museum, which displays a variety of artifacts found during excavations. Admission is included in the site ticket. Next to the museum is the Sanctuary of Dionysus, best-known for its monumental phalluses. |
The Lion District The Lion District, occupying the north end of the ruins, is named for the famous Terrace of the Lions (7th century BC). Here at least nine elegant lions made of Naxian marble guarded the sanctuary, looking out to the Sacred Lake. The lions on the site are replicas; five weathered originals are displayed in the museum. The oval Sacred Lake, drained since 1926, is where the sacred swans and geese of Apollo were kept. A palm tree has been planted in the center in honor of the one Leto clutched while giving birth to her divine twins. |
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Theater & Maritime Quarter The Maritime Quarter was the main residential area of Delos when the city was at its peak of prosperity, and the ruins of many beautiful mansions and villas can be seen here (south of the site entrance). Many of them were paved with fine mosaics; some of these are still in situ. The House of the Masks has a mosaic of Dionysus riding a panther, and the House of Dionysus has another depiction of the popular god. Further south in the Theater Quarter is the great classical theater of Delos (which could seat 5500 people) and more houses with mosaic floors. Especially notable is the House of the Dolphins (just east of the theater), with a fine mosaic depicting the gentle sea creatures. |
