Delos island

General info
Delos (Dilos) island is located in the centre of the Cyclades cluster.

This tiny in size Island -just 6 square km- is worldly known for its major archaeological, historical and cultural importance. Delos is also referred as the birthplace of Apollo, the Greek god of daylight, and Artemis, goddess of the nightlight, who was twins.

The whole territory of Delos is in fact an open museum; its granite landscape, which counts 12 millions years approximately, is full of remains of ancient temples, of sanctuaries, monuments and statues that witness the sacredness and the rich heritage of Delos. A few Christian basilicas that are found on the island prove the existence of a Christian community in early Christian times.

In 1990, UNESCO included Delos on the World Heritage List, as an “exceptionally extensive and rich archeological site that conveys the image of a great cosmopolitan Mediterranean port”.

Staying overnight and free camping in Delos has been officially forbidden by the Greek Ministry of Culture, thus no accommodation facilities are provided. The only habitants of it are the keepers of the archeological site

Historical profile
According to mythology, Leto, daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe, stayed pregnant by Zeus. When Hera, wife of Zeus, discovered his infidelity, she forbade to all places of earth to accept Leto in order to give birth and demanded that no god should help her.
Leto started to wander, but no place was willing to receive her, as they were afraid the wrath of Hera.  Zeus asked from his brother, Poseidon, god of the sea, to help his mistress and the latter had an ingenious idea. He emerged to the sea surface, a piece of rock called Adelos, which means “unseen”. Poseidon firmed the rock with four pillars and the new tiny island of Delos (visible) was created. Leto vowed to the island that if it would let her deliver her babies on its land, Delos would be known to eternity and would become a wealth place.

Historically speaking, excavations finds prove the inhabitation of Delos since the 3rd Millennium BC and first settlers are believed to be Careans and Phoenicians.

By the 9th century BC, Delos had already been recognized as the sacred birthplace of Apollo and his sanctuary was admirable and respectable by the entire ancient world. In 530 BC approximately, the Athenian tyrant Peisistratus received a Delphic oracle to purify Delos from the graves and the corpses, which were transferred to a nearby island.  

In 480 BC Delos became the centre and also the keeper of the treasury of the Delian League, which was set up by the Athenians and Aegean city-state after the end of the Persian Wars, in order to deal effectively with future hostile challenges.  That led to the blooming of Delos’ economy. At this era the Great Temple of Apollo was built.

In   420 BC a second purification of the Delos was held by the Athenians who decided that it was unallowable people to born, die or buried in the island where the god of light and life was born. That prohibition practically led to the desertification of the island.

At about 90 BC,   Delos had been developed to the first multicultural centre in history, since people from Athens, Rome, Macedonia, Thrace, but also from Paflagonia, Syria, Egypt, Arabia and other countries were peacefully coexisted in the same land.

In the 16th century B.C Romans occupied Delos and established the so-called “atelia” (free of taxes) for the island. Due to this measure, Delos became the most important commercial centre of the ancient known world. However the good relation of Delos with the Romans proved fatal for its destiny and in 880 BC Delos was devastated by the king of Pontos, Mithridates and it was finally destroyed in 69 BC by Athenodoros, who was one of the king’s allies.

The Terrace of Lions, who guard the way to the sacred lake where Apollos was born, the nearby Sanctuary of Apollo, the Doric Temple of Isis, of Aphrodite, the ancient theatre, the House of Dionysus, famous for its floor mosaic that depicts the god riding a panther, the remains of the Hellenistic Market are only few of the most notable artefacts in Delos.

Though many of the finds are exhibited in the National Archeological Museum in Athens, the museum of Delos accommodates statues, inscriptions and objects of considerable  archeological value, as well as a model of how the city must have looked at its flourishing.

Villages
Delos’ Town (Chora) is the island’s capital, which distinguishes for breathing a discrete air of elegancy and richness. Neoclassical mansions, well preserved narrow paths, picturesque squares, remarkable monuments, Byzantine churches attribute to Chora a delightful colour.
Though it has preserved its own character, it is also a contemporary city offering any kind of accommodation and entertainment facilities for all tastes. Don’t fail to visit the Art Gallery and the Modern Art Museum which are housed here.
On the north part of Delos is located Batsi, which used to be a  traditional fishing village but  today has become the most tourist resort, offering modern tourist infrastructures and an interesting night life.  Batsi has its own charming natural harbour and a fine sandy beach. Another worth-visiting village is Gavrio, which is equally tourist developed and operates also as the main port of Delos. Gavrio is essentially the nodal point from which you can begin your exploration to the northern of Delos, where some of the most traditional villages and excellent beaches are situated.

Access
Delos is reachable only from Mykonos by taxi-boat. Excursion trips are organized in daily basis.