Delos Tourism: Tripadvisor has 2,246 reviews of Delos Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Delos resource. 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!). It is unclear as to whether his twin sister Artemis was also believed to have been born there. Finally, the desolate, rocky island of Delos, which had nothing to lose, accepted her. Well, first of all, that Delos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The island was also a major commercial and trading centre in the 2nd and 1st centuries CE. Delos is quite small, only 5 x1.3kms, and today is only inhabited by some caretakers and workers for the site. It’s an ark of history, floating lazily on the waters of the Aegean Sea, just a few miles away from cosmopolitan Mykonos. The Koinon of Poseidon is one of the most important sites on the island. 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. Delos is a short boat ride from Mykonos, today it is a top tourist attraction and archaeological site. The House of Masks is near the cistern and again has a beautiful mosaic in its centre. On top of that, Hera had the dragon Python chase her. You can also visit the House of Kleopatra where headless statues of the husband and wife still stand. They included Orpheus, Scylla, Hector and Asclepius the God of Beekeeping and Animal Husbandry. The Kynthos Cave is another unique site featuring an entirely man-made cave which used to house a statue of Heracles. When planning your trip to Greece and working out the best place to stay in Santorini chances are you have shortlisted Oia as your preferred village. Ancient Greece - A collection of pictures of Delos that we took while on our vacation aboard the cruise ship Crown Odyssey. Ancient Ruins, Historic Sites. 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, … 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. It was a major religious center and a crossroads for trade. Dionysos was also believed to have married Ari… 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. Discover Ancient Delos and its legends on this entertaining and educational 5-hour guided tour. It’s the head priest of the Cyclades, the birthplace of the immortals. Cruise ships passengers often arrive en masse in the middle of the day so plan your visit wisely. Today, it welcomes visitors to what is a stunning open-air museum on … Delos Island History. It is beleived there were originally up to nineteen Lions. According to Greek mythology, Delos was the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, the twin offspring of Zeus by Leto. 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. Delos Archaeological Museum Mosaic detail from the House of Dionysus. According to Greek mythology, Delos was the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, the twin offspring of Zeus by Leto. from $170/night. Just like the archaeological site, it is accessible only by shuttle boat from Mykonos. 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. One of the more popular ones is the island of Schinoussa, 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. 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. 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. Zeus married Hera while Leto was pregnant. 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 House of Dionysus is home to a unique mosaic depicting the god Dionysus riding a tiger. Among them are : There is also a small museum on the island that houses a number of impressive artifacts including statues, columns and mosaics. 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. Yassas! Welcome to Delos. Zeus saved her by sending the North Wind, Boreas, to carry her out to sea. Of course, you will never find a book that refers to a site as THE most important, there's one too many to choose. 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). 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. To this day it is a fascinating site to visit and there is something very moving, and many will say, spiritual, about them. ... Greece. The island of Delos is home to some incredible archaeological ruins and artifacts. The stunning and completely unique island has everything you could dream of to kick off your new life together. Choosing the best place to stay in Mykonos can be overwhelming with a huge array of accommodation to choose from. Delos, Greece. It was built in the 3rd century AD, and had stunning views of the sea and the harbor. The small archaeological museum located in the archaeological site of Delos and exhibits objects from the excavations there. 68 reviews. History Museums. Santorini is one of the most iconic Greek islands, as well as one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe. Delos: (Oracle Centre - The 'Floating Island')). Its unique location once allowed seafarers to stop and resupply between ports of major centers throughout Ancient Greece. His name, Apollo, is the only major god who appears with the same name in both Roman and Greek Mythology. Besides being one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece, Delos is a wonderful island to visit. She pushed Leto out of Olympus. General Information on Delos. The stone lions of Delos. Now largely uninhabited, it is a rugged granite mass about 1.3 square miles (3.4 square km) in area. The peasants tried to prevent her from drinking from their well, so she turned them into frogs. What do most books say? It is located just 20 minutes by boat from Mykonos. Keep an eye on your inbox for tales, tips and travel inspiration. 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. Over the centuries, the port of Delos was the landing point for pilgrims, traders and slaves. This Unesco World Heritage Site is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Hera stayed away and managed to detain Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, but Iris eventually succeeded in bringing her to the island. This is where the famous statue of Aphrodite and Pan was found, which is now a permanent exhibit at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. There were temples built in honour of Artemis at Delos, but the legend seems focused on Apollo. Leto first gave birth to Artemis, and after another nine days of labor, to Apollo. 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. Here’s all the information you need to visit Delos in the Cyclades. While the pregnancy started before the marriage, Hera was still jealous of Leto. Legend has it that Apollo sought revenge for his mother by slaying the dragon Delphi called Python. the base of the Colossus of Naxos and the House of Naxians with two surviving fragments of the Colossal Kouros. According to the ancient Greek historian Thucydides, the Carians were expelled from the islands by King Minos. Delos in Greek Mythology. Delos is a popular day trip from Mykonos, a small island that held importance in ancient Greece. Investigation of ancient stone huts found on the island indicate that it has been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC. λος; Dhílos, "Brilliant") was a major sacred site for the ancient Greeks, second in importance only to Delphi. Archaeological Museum of Delos. The UNESCO Archaeological site of Ancient Delos in Greece is a really unique place. There are a number of tours to Delos that leave from Mykonos to Delos island every day. The ancient Greeks considered Delos the birthplace of the god Apollo and goddess Artemis, and a famous sanctuary for the worship of Apollo was located there. It is uninhabited, and in fact overnight stays are prohibited — though you can read below about how famous author Lawrence Durrell managed it. With a plethora of hotels, villas, and houses on the island it is a huge task to work out which one may be right for you. 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… Delos is a floating island in Greece. Delos is regarded by many to be the most important of all the Greek Islands. These islands live up to their name, as they encircle the sacred island where the god Apollo was believed to have been born. 259 reviews. He was adored and worshiped throughout Greece and the Greek empire as the ‘Kouros”, a perfectly developed classical male nude. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Delos is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. THE MOST INCREDIBLE OIA SANTORINI ACCOMMODATION! There are also day trips to Delos that you can do from Paros and Naxos. 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. Choosing the best place to stay in Santorini can be incredibly overwhelming. They range from inexpensive group tours on the public ferry to small private tours on private boats. 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. Apollos had numerous love interests, both male and female, and his offspring numbered more than 40. 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. 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. The Cyclades fulfil their collective name ( kyklos means circle) by encircling the sacred island of Delos. See, Delos is an island of history, an open-air museum, a nirvana for archaeologists. O ne of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. Where is the archaeological site of Ancient Delos. WHICH ARE THE BEST GREEK ISLANDS TO VISIT? 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. Naxos had important temples in honour of Apollo, Demeter and Dionysos, with the latter being born on the island according to mythology. TOP 10 AIRBNB’S IN MYKONOS – THE BEST FOR EVERY NEED IN 2021, THE BEST AIRBNB’S IN SANTORINI FOR EVERY NEED, HOW TO HAVE THE PERFECT SANTORINI HONEYMOON, A GUIDE TO SCHINOUSSA ISLAND IN THE SMALL CYCLADES | GREECE TRAVEL SECRETS. DELOS. Delos was, according to mythology, the birth-place of Apollo. Still fleeing Hera 's wrath, she went to Lycia. The other goddesses gathered there to help Leto during the labor. Delos is an island and archaeological site which was held sacred by the ancient Greeks as the birthplace of the deity Apollo. 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. Opt to upgrade your tour to include lunch at a Mykonian house (or farm) and a walking tour of Mykonos Old Town. It’s a chance to walk around the revival of the glory of the Greek civilization. Delos was the site of an important sanctuary to Apollo from 700 BCE, indeed, the god and his sister Artemis were born on the island in Greek mythology. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Its unique location once allowed seafarers to stop and resupply between ports of major centers throughout Ancient Greece. It’s significance had much to do with Greek mythology. 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. Once there you can self tour the site on foot and visit the island and the museum as explained above. Learn about ancient Greek history and myths while visiting some legendary landmarks, such as the Agora, the sacred way and the Temple of Apollo. Leto was an early and favorite lover of Zeus. 1. Mount Kynthos. 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… En Lefko Prive Suites. Delos is a small island in Greece, close to Mykonos. Thucydides identifies the original inhabitants as piratical Carians who were eventually expelled by King Minos of Crete. Delphi and Delos went on to be two of the most sacred sites in Greece. Delos is a small island in the Aegean Sea that became an important Greek religious and commercial center. The mythical birthplace of twins Apollo and Artemis, splendid Ancient Delos was a shrine turned sacred treasury and commercial centre. During the Roman and Byzantine eras, Delos was a well-known supplier of water, food, and equipment, and many important festivals and religious events were held there. 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. https://greekmythology.wikia.org/wiki/Delos?oldid=66395. In fact, it is said she gave birth to twins – Artemis being the sister of Apollo. 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. The island of Delos is located in the heart of the Cyclades, in the Aegean sea. 3.0 mi from 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. The mosaics of Delos are a significant body of ancient Greek mosaic art. Mykonos Delos: The small rocky islet of Delos is part of the Cyclades and is located a few miles south-west of Mykonos Greece. Naturally there is a marble statue of Apollo, which in fact is thought to be a minature of one at Delphi. 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. 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