Santorini is one of the most iconic Greek islands, as well as one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe. It’s a chance to walk around the revival of the glory of the Greek civilization. Delos is a small island in the Aegean Sea that became an important Greek religious and commercial center. Delos Greek Mythology was born in this place, many in ancient times thought this to be the Birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Delos Tourism: Tripadvisor has 2,246 reviews of Delos Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Delos resource. Mykonos, by comparison, was considered poor with limited agricultural prospects. She pushed Leto out of Olympus. Finally, the desolate, rocky island of Delos, which had nothing to lose, accepted her. These islands live up to their name, as they encircle the sacred island where the god Apollo was believed to have been born. https://greekmythology.wikia.org/wiki/Delos?oldid=66395. Choosing the best place to stay in Mykonos can be overwhelming with a huge array of accommodation to choose from. Delos is a short boat ride from Mykonos, today it is a top tourist attraction and archaeological site. For the duration of Leto 's pregnancy, Hera created problems. Archaeological Museum of Delos. 257 reviews. Here’s all the information you need to visit Delos in the Cyclades. The Koinon of Poseidon is one of the most important sites on the island. Ancient Ruins, Historic Sites. Delos Archaeological Museum Mosaic detail from the House of Dionysus. Among Hellenistic Greek The Cyclades returned to some degree of regional importance in the Archaic and Classical periods, particularly the city-states on the islands of Delos and Naxos. Delos is a World Heritage Site and one of the most important archeology and historical sites in Greece. See, Delos is an island of history, an open-air museum, a nirvana for archaeologists. One of the more popular ones is the island of Schinoussa, Greece. On top of that, Hera had the dragon Python chase her. Delos: (Oracle Centre - The 'Floating Island')). Delos is located in the southern Aegean, a few kilometers off the west coast of Mykonos.It is the smallest of the Cyclades group, having an area of 5km². Apollo was believed to be a complex and multi-faceted deity who represented and controlled many important industries, virtues, events, and other things. He was adored and worshiped throughout Greece and the Greek empire as the ‘Kouros”, a perfectly developed classical male nude. It is uninhabited, and in fact overnight stays are prohibited — though you can read below about how famous author Lawrence Durrell managed it. Delos was, according to mythology, the birth-place of Apollo. Delphi and Delos went on to be two of the most sacred sites in Greece. The departure times from March to November are usually 9 am, 10 am, 11:30 am and 5 pm, returning at 12 pm, 1:30 pm, 3 pm, and 7:30 pm but this can change especially on very windy days. He was often depicted with a laurel wreath on his head and either a bow and arrow or a lyre and plectrum in his hands. Besides being one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece, Delos is a wonderful island to visit. The mythical birthplace of twins Apollo and Artemis, splendid Ancient Delos was a shrine turned sacred treasury and commercial centre. Whether you catch the ferry to Delos to take in as much of its cultural significance as you can, or go to experience for yourself one of the most evocative heritage sites in Greece, you will not be disappointed. The museum is open daily from March to November from 10am and the entry fee is included in the Delos entry fee of 12 euro. Delos is a World Heritage Site and one of the most important archeology and historical sites in Greece. The Sacred Precinct was approached from the south by a broad paved path, running between two Doric stoas to arrive at… Considered the birthplace of Apollo – the god of sun and light, music and poetry, healing and plagues, knowledge, beauty and agriculture, Delos island has no inhabitants today but still houses incredible ruins and artifacts from a significant ancient civilization. Delos is a small island in Greece, close to Mykonos. The earlier inhabitants of Delos built (ca 2.500 BC) their simple dwellings on the low hill Kynthos, from where they could easily inspect the sea for any approachi… The stone lions of Delos. In ancient times, Delos was the most important island in the region. Ferries from Mykonos to Delos run every day except for some religious holidays, departing from the old port. Opt to upgrade your tour to include lunch at a Mykonian house (or farm) and a walking tour of Mykonos Old Town. It is located just 20 minutes by boat from Mykonos. from $170/night. Where is the archaeological site of Ancient Delos. Indeed, its location at the centre of the Cyclades gives rise to the theory that the name of the Cyclades group of islands in the Aegean sea comes from the word, circle or 'kyklos' that form around the island of Delos. This Unesco World Heritage Site is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The House of Dionysus is home to a unique mosaic depicting the god Dionysus riding a tiger. The House of Masks is near the cistern and again has a beautiful mosaic in its centre. When Leto was discovered to be pregnant, Zeus ' jealous wife Hera banished her from the earth, but Poseidon took pity on her and provided Delos as a place for her to give birth in peace. Among them are : There is also a small museum on the island that houses a number of impressive artifacts including statues, columns and mosaics. It was a major religious center and a crossroads for trade. It’s the head priest of the Cyclades, the birthplace of the immortals. Leto was an early and favorite lover of Zeus. In fact, it is said she gave birth to twins – Artemis being the sister of Apollo. Keep an eye on your inbox for tales, tips and travel inspiration. the base of the Colossus of Naxos and the House of Naxians with two surviving fragments of the Colossal Kouros. Apollos had numerous love interests, both male and female, and his offspring numbered more than 40. According to Greek mythology, Delos was the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, the twin offspring of Zeus by Leto. The Terrace of the Lions – the most famous and most photographed icons are four remaining statues of the Lions that once guarded the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Sacred Lake. About Delos. Hera, the wife of Zeus, forbade the pregnant Leto to give birth on solid land and it was only the island of Delos who welcomed her. Its unique location once allowed seafarers to stop and resupply between ports of major centers throughout Ancient Greece. Most of the surviving mosaics from Delos, Greece, an island in the Cyclades, date to the last half of the 2nd century BC and early 1st century BC, during the Hellenistic period and beginning of the Roman period of Greece. The island of Delos, isolated in the centre of the roughly circular ring of islands called the Cyclades, near Mykonos, is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. Delos, Greece. The UNESCO Archaeological site of Ancient Delos in Greece is a really unique place. The stunning and completely unique island has everything you could dream of to kick off your new life together. Delos is regarded by many to be the most important of all the Greek Islands. Delos is an ancient small island, protected by Unesco, so buildings cannot be constructed there, thus you have to take with you all necessities, water and maybe a snack, as well as sunscreen lotion cause the whole area does not have any shade covers, not even … According to the ancient Greek historian Thucydides, the Carians were expelled from the islands by King Minos. Today, it welcomes visitors to what is a stunning open-air museum on … Nowadays, the island is virtually uninhabited, but in ancient times, it was famous as a shrine of Apollo and as a trading center of the early Greeks and Romans. It is beleived there were originally up to nineteen Lions. Tickets for the Delos ferry in 2019 were 20 euro return and 12 euro entry paid at the ticket office on Delos when you arrive. The island of Delos is home to some incredible archaeological ruins and artifacts. 1. Legend has it that Apollo sought revenge for his mother by slaying the dragon Delphi called Python. The small archaeological museum located in the archaeological site of Delos and exhibits objects from the excavations there. Thucydides identifies the original inhabitants as piratical Carians who were eventually expelled by King Minos of Crete. The Greek historian Herodotus says the Carians were subjects of Minos and that they were expelled from the islands much later, by the Dorians and the Ionians. According to mythology, Delos is the birthplace of Apollo, god of music, of true and light, and his twin sister Artemis, goddess of hunting. Delos Island History. To this day it is a fascinating site to visit and there is something very moving, and many will say, spiritual, about them. It is unclear as to whether his twin sister Artemis was also believed to have been born there. It’s significance had much to do with Greek mythology. Just like the archaeological site, it is accessible only by shuttle boat from Mykonos. Mount Kynthos. Dionysos was also believed to have married Ari… History Museums. As Leto wandered on the earth, no person would let her stay in their home for fear Hera would be offended. The island of Delos has been a land of the Gods and served both as a religious and economic center back in Ancient Greece and no mortals would ever be allowed to die on the island, and women on the brink of childbirth would be carried to the neighboring Greek Island of Rineia to give birth. O ne of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. There are a number of tours to Delos that leave from Mykonos to Delos island every day. The island of Delos, Carl Anton Joseph Rottmann,1847. It is located just 20 minutes by boat from Mykonos . 259 reviews. It was built in the 3rd century AD, and had stunning views of the sea and the harbor. Zeus married Hera while Leto was pregnant. Naxos had important temples in honour of Apollo, Demeter and Dionysos, with the latter being born on the island according to mythology. Hellenistic mosaics were no longer produced after roughly 69 BC, due to warfare with the Kingdom of Pontus and subsequently abrupt decline of the island's population and position as a major trading center. The island of Delos is located near the center of the Cyclades archipelago and is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. Of course, you will never find a book that refers to a site as THE most important, there's one too many to choose. What do most books say? Offering spectacular views, world-famous sunsets, unusual beaches, wine... Just south of Naxos in the Cyclades Islands in the Aegean Sea is a group of small islands known as the Small Cyclades ( and sometimes the Lesser Cyclades, although there nothing less about them!). They range from inexpensive group tours on the public ferry to small private tours on private boats. Zeus saved her by sending the North Wind, Boreas, to carry her out to sea. The ruins of one of the largest and most impressive organized settlements of the Hellenic-Roman era are preserved in good condition on the island of Delos. This carefully curated selection of Airbnb's in Santorini helps you... Santorini is an ever-popular honeymoon destination, and it’s not hard to see why. There were temples built in honour of Artemis at Delos, but the legend seems focused on Apollo. They included Orpheus, Scylla, Hector and Asclepius the God of Beekeeping and Animal Husbandry. The Theatre Cistern which collected rain water. The Ancient Theater of Delos is an impressive complex which could at one time house around 5,000 spectators. λος; Dhílos, "Brilliant") was a major sacred site for the ancient Greeks, second in importance only to Delphi. By the writing of the Odyssey, the island was already famous as the birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis (although there seems to be some confusion of Artemis' birthplace being either Delos or the island of Ortygia). Inhabited since 3000BC, Delos gained its reputation during the Mycenean period, when it attracted large numbers of devotees and pilgrims, and began thriving as a commercial center. Now largely uninhabited, it is a rugged granite mass about 1.3 square miles (3.4 square km) in area. You can also visit the House of Kleopatra where headless statues of the husband and wife still stand. Even though it is one of the smallest islands in the Aegean, Delos (just 6.85 km2) was the most famous and sacred of all islands in antiquity, since, according to the legend, it was there that Apollo-Helios, god of daylight, and Artemis-Selene, goddess of night light, were born – it was, in short, the birthplace of Light, which the Greeks always regarded as precious. While the pregnancy started before the marriage, Hera was still jealous of Leto. The other goddesses gathered there to help Leto during the labor. The peasants tried to prevent her from drinking from their well, so she turned them into frogs. Delos, Modern Greek Dílos, island, one of the smallest of the Cyclades (Modern Greek: Kykládes), Greece, an ancient centre of religious, political, and commercial life in the Aegean Sea. Yassas! Hera stayed away and managed to detain Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, but Iris eventually succeeded in bringing her to the island. Choosing the best place to stay in Santorini can be incredibly overwhelming. Its unique location once allowed seafarers to stop and resupply between ports of major centers throughout Ancient Greece. Naturally there is a marble statue of Apollo, which in fact is thought to be a minature of one at Delphi. The island undoubtedly owed its success to its superb location at the very center of the Aegean, allowing seafarers to meet it in the middle of their journey as they sailed from the major commercial centers of the Aegean--Athens, Miletos, Corinth, Macedonia, Thassos, Samos, Milos, … According to Greek mythology, Delos was the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, the twin offspring of Zeus by Leto. Apollo was believed to be the son of the mighty god Zeus, the King of all other gods, and the Titan Goddess Leto, one of Zeus’s many lovers. Both islands belong to the Cyclades group, right in the middle of the Aegean Sea. As the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, the Greek island of Delos (Greek: Δηλος; Dhílos, "Brilliant") was a major sacred site for the ancient Greeks, second in importance only to Delphi. Delos is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Mykonos Delos: The small rocky islet of Delos is part of the Cyclades and is located a few miles south-west of Mykonos Greece. Over the centuries, the port of Delos was the landing point for pilgrims, traders and slaves. 3.0 mi from Delos. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Delos in Greek Mythology. His name, Apollo, is the only major god who appears with the same name in both Roman and Greek Mythology. There are fields of wildflowers, ancient stone houses from the 1st and 2nd Century, and evidence suggesting that this place was inhabited since 3000 BCE. Delos (Δήλος) was one of the most sacred places of ancient Greece, and one of the most robust trade centers as well. Leto first gave birth to Artemis, and after another nine days of labor, to Apollo. En Lefko Prive Suites. Delos is a Greek island in the Cyclades archipelago which was both an influential political force and, with its sanctuary to the god Apollo, an important religious centre in the Archaic and Classical periods. In fact, the Cyclades island group gets its name from the fact that the islands form a circle around Delos. The Cyclades fulfil their collective name ( kyklos means circle) by encircling the sacred island of Delos. The island was also a major commercial and trading centre in the 2nd and 1st centuries CE. WHICH ARE THE BEST GREEK ISLANDS TO VISIT? Delos is quite small, only 5 x1.3kms, and today is only inhabited by some caretakers and workers for the site. Ancient Greece - A collection of pictures of Delos that we took while on our vacation aboard the cruise ship Crown Odyssey. Delos is the sacred island of Ancient Greeks, which, according to mythology, was revealed to Leto through the waves of the Aegean sea in order to give birth to Apollo and Artemis. For the site on foot and visit the island according to mythology, Delos was a religious. It’S a chance to walk around the revival of the Aegean sea minutes by from... 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