The Temple of Apollo, also known as the Portara, is the most iconic monument of Naxos and one of the most important examples of ancient Greek architecture. The name “Portara” refers to the monumental marble gateway of the temple, which still dominates the small islet of “Palatia” or “The Island of Bacchus”, located at the northern end of the port of Naxos.
According to mythology, it was on this very islet that Theseus abandoned Ariadne, who was later taken by Dionysus and his entourage. The islet was connected to the main island only in 1919, when the stone causeway that links it to Naxos was constructed.
The construction of the temple began around 530 BC under the rule of Lygdamis, as part of a broader building program that included several major public projects and monuments. Dedicated to the god Apollo, the temple was designed in the Ionic order, measuring approximately 59 meters in length and 28 meters in width, with its entrance facing west.
Work on the temple ceased permanently around 524 BC, following the overthrow of Lygdamis by the Spartans. Another version attributes the interruption to the war between Samos and Naxos, which made it impossible to continue construction.
In the 5th century AD, a Christian church was built upon the ruins of the unfinished temple, dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Palatia. The entrance of the church was formed by cutting through the marble base of the Portara — a mark still visible today. Later, in the 9th century AD, additional chapels were added, dedicated to Saint Nicholas and Saint Constantine.
During the Venetian period, much of the temple’s marble was reused in the construction of the Castle of Naxos. However, the massive marble gateway remained in its original position, too heavy to be moved — standing as a timeless symbol of the island and a majestic bridge between the past and the present.
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