Archaeological sights in Cyclades
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Ancient Delos
The following is an outline of some significant archaeological remains on the site. For further details, a guidebook from the ticket office is advised, or take a guided tour.
The rock-encrusted Mt Kythnos (113m) rises elegantly to the southeast of the harbour. It's worth the steep climb, even in the heat. On clear days there are terrific views of the surrounding islands from its summit.
The path to Mt Kythnos is reached by walking through the Theatre Quarter, where Delos' wealthiest inhabitants once built their houses. These houses surrounded peristyle courtyards, with colourful mosaics (a status symbol) being the most striking feature of each house.
The most lavish dwellin…
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Ancient Akrotiri
Akrotiri was a Minoan outpost; excavations begun in 1967 have uncovered an ancient city beneath the volcanic ash. Buildings, some three storeys high, date to the late 16th century BC. The absence of skeletons and treasures indicates that inhabitants were forewarned of the eruption and escaped.
For some time the site has been visually disappointing, its overall context blurred by the construction of a 'bio-climatic' roof aimed at protecting the ruins from damaging climatic effects. Masses of scaffolding and concrete supports create the impression of a construction zone or, indeed, an earthquake site. The historical drama of Akrotiri is still potent, though. It's best to g…
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Ancient Delos
Despite its diminutive size, the World Heritage-listed Delos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, and certainly the most important in the Cyclades. This sacred island is the mythical birthplace of the twins Apollo and Artemis. A climb up the rocky Mt Kythnos will give you a terrific view of the surrounding islands on a clear day.
One of many highlights is the Sanctuary of Apollo, to the north of the harbour, which contains temples dedicated to the main man of Delos, as well as the much-photographed Terrace of the Lions. These proud beasts, carved from marble, were offerings from the people of Naxos, presented to Delos in the 7th century BC to guard…
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Moni Episkopis
From the saddle between Kastro and Hora, a surfaced road leads southwest to Episkopi. The remains here are believed to be those of a 3rd-century-AD Roman mausoleum that was transformed into a church in the 7th century and then became Moni Episkopis 10 centuries later. From here you can climb to a little church and ancient ruins perched on a precipice to the south, from where the views are spectacular.
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Christian Catacombs
Milos is home to Greece's only Christian catacombs, which date from the 1st century and were the burial site for early believers. Nearby are Roman ruins, including a well-preserved ancient amphitheatre (site of the two-day Milos Festival each July). Follow the signs to the rather forlorn spot nearby where a farmer found the Venus de Milo in 1820.
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Temple of Apollo
From Naxos Town, a causeway leads to Palatia Islet and the unfinished Temple of Apollo (aka the Portara), Naxos' most famous landmark. Though there's not much to see other than two columns with a crowning lintel, people gather at sunset for views back to the whitewashed houses of Naxos Town scrambling up to the 13th-century kastro on the hilltop.
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Ancient Thira
First settled by the Dorians in the 9th century BC, Ancient Thira consists of Hellenic, Roman and Byzantine ruins. These include temples, houses with mosaics, an agora (market place), a theatre and a gymnasium. The site has splendid views.
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Agia Irini
Just across the bay from Vourkari are the truncated remains of the Minoan site of Agia Irini . Excavations during the 20th century indicated that there had been a settlement here since 3200BC and that it functioned for over 2000 years.
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