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| {{Short description|Ancient Greek temple on Naxos, Greece}} | |||
| {{Infobox ancient site | {{Infobox ancient site | ||
| | name = Temple of Apollo (Portara) | | name = Temple of Apollo (Portara) | ||
| | native_name = {{lang|el|Ναός του Απόλλωνα (Πορτάρα)|italic=no}} | | native_name = {{lang|el|Ναός του Απόλλωνα (Πορτάρα)|italic=no}} | ||
| | image = 20221029 Naxos 762.jpg | | image = 20221029 Naxos 762.jpg | ||
| | image_size = 300px | | image_size = 300px | ||
| | caption = |
| caption = View of the temple from the south | ||
| | |
| type = Temple | ||
| | |
| architectural_styles = ] | ||
| | location = ], Greece | | location = ], Greece | ||
| | coordinates = {{coord|37.1102|25.3723|display=inline,title}} | | coordinates = {{coord|37.1102|25.3723|display=inline,title}} | ||
| |map_type = Greece | | map_type = Greece | ||
| |map_size = | | map_size = | ||
| | height = {{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=on}} | | height = {{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=on}} | ||
| |length = {{convert|38|m|abbr=on}} | | length = {{convert|38|m|abbr=on}} | ||
| |width = {{convert|16|m|abbr=on}} | | width = {{convert|16|m|abbr=on}} | ||
| | material = ] | | material = ] | ||
| |built = {{circa|530 BC}} | | built = {{circa|530 BC}} | ||
| | builder = ] | | builder = ] | ||
| |epochs = ] | | epochs = ] | ||
| |condition = Ruined | | condition = Ruined | ||
| |ownership = Public | | ownership = Public | ||
| |public_access = Yes | | public_access = Yes | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| The '''Temple of Apollo,''' or '''Portara''' (]: Πορτάρα, meaning 'large door'), was an ancient Greek ] in ], dedicated to the god ]. The temple was constructed in the ] by the tyrant ]. | The '''Temple of Apollo,''' or '''Portara''' (]: Πορτάρα, meaning 'large door'), was an ancient Greek ] in ], dedicated to the god ]. The temple was constructed in the ] by the ] ]. | ||
| It is located on the islet ''Palatia'' at the northern end of ]' harbor. This islet is commonly thought to correspond to the place where, in ], ] abandoned ], who was then abducted by ] and his entourage. The islet is connected to the town of Naxos by a ] built in 1919. | It is located on the islet ''Palatia'' at the northern end of ]' harbor. This islet is commonly thought to correspond to the place where, in ], ] abandoned ], who was then abducted by ] and his entourage. The islet is connected to the town of Naxos by a ] built in 1919. | ||
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| During prehistory, the islet was connected by a narrow ] to the rest of the island and is believed to have been fortified. A sanctuary dedicated to Apollo is thought to have existed there since at least the ]. During the 7th century BC, the islet was captured and used as a base for assaults against Naxos by ] and ].<ref name="A travelogue of Naxos">{{cite book |last1=Anastasiou |first1=Tasos |title=A travelogue of Naxos |date=2024 |publisher=ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΙΑ ΑΡΧΙΠΕΛΑΓΟΣ|page=142|isbn=9789608875982}}</ref> | During prehistory, the islet was connected by a narrow ] to the rest of the island and is believed to have been fortified. A sanctuary dedicated to Apollo is thought to have existed there since at least the ]. During the 7th century BC, the islet was captured and used as a base for assaults against Naxos by ] and ].<ref name="A travelogue of Naxos">{{cite book |last1=Anastasiou |first1=Tasos |title=A travelogue of Naxos |date=2024 |publisher=ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΙΑ ΑΡΧΙΠΕΛΑΓΟΣ|page=142|isbn=9789608875982}}</ref> | ||
| === Construction of the Temple === | === Construction of the Temple === | ||
| Construction of the temple was started around 530 BC by the tyrant ], whose building program included several public buildings and infrastructure projects on the island<ref name="A travelogue of Naxos">{{cite book |last1=Anastasiou |first1=Tasos |title=A travelogue of Naxos |date=2024 |publisher=ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΙΑ ΑΡΧΙΠΕΛΑΓΟΣ |
Construction of the temple was started around 530 BC by the tyrant ], whose building program included several public buildings and infrastructure projects on the island<ref name="A travelogue of Naxos">{{cite book |last1=Anastasiou |first1=Tasos |title=A travelogue of Naxos |date=2024 |publisher=ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΙΑ ΑΡΧΙΠΕΛΑΓΟΣ|page=142|isbn=9789608875982}}</ref>. The temple was of ], 38 meters long and 16 meters wide, with an entrance on the northwest side. It is oriented towards the (then) sacred island of ]. Construction work stopped at the latest around 524 BC, when Lygdamis was removed from power by the ], a military alliance led by ], and the temple remained unfinished. | ||
| The main surviving feature of the temple is its large marble door frame. It consists of five marble pieces (originally |
The main surviving feature of the temple is its large marble door frame. It consists of five marble pieces (originally four), weighing up to 20 tons each. The marble was transported there from the marble quarry at ''Flerio'', about {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} away. There is a number of ] (bumps) carved on the marble pieces, which were used to hold ropes in order to lift the pieces by ]. These would normally be removed at the end of construction, which shows that the temple was never completed. The temple had two planning phases: some initial construction had taken place in the 540s BC, however at some point around 530 BC the temple plan was changed and rotated by 180 degrees.<ref>Martin Lambertz: ''The temple of Apollo on Naxos - Two planning phases in detail.'' In: ''Architectura'', Jg. 39, 2009, Heft 1, S. 1–12.</ref> | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| === Later History === | === Later History === | ||
| Much later, during the 5th century AD, a Christian |
Much later, during the 5th century AD, a Christian church was built on top of the ancient temple ruins<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://orinosaxotis.blogspot.com/2016/09/blog-post_10.html|title=οι εκκλησίες στη Πορτάρα της Νάξου|language=el|accessdate=2024-11-30}}</ref>. This church, which was dedicated to ], was known as ''Panagia Palatiani''. A cut, still visible today, was made in the ''Portara'''s threshold to make room for the door of that church. During the 9th century AD, a church dedicated to Saints ] and ] was added. During the ], many parts of the temple were reused for the construction of the Castle of Naxos. The massive marble pieces of the temple's gate could probably not be moved due to their large weight, resulting in them being left in place. | ||
| === Today === | |||
| Today, the temple is one of the main landmarks the ], and is often used as an emblem representing the entire island. It is visited by large numbers of ] during the summer months, with large crowds often gathering there during the ]. The entrance to the islet is free of charge. | |||
| == Sources == | == Sources == | ||
| * Kariotis, Panagiotis. Naxos the Eternal. Athens: Speech Processing Institute, 2004 | * Kariotis, Panagiotis. Naxos the Eternal. Athens: Speech Processing Institute, 2004 | ||
| * Kotsakis, Athanasios. Naxos during the Venetian occupation. Athens: Pelasgos, 2001 | * Kotsakis, Athanasios. Naxos during the Venetian occupation. Athens: Pelasgos, 2001 | ||
| Line 49: | Line 50: | ||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| {{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
| <nowiki> | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] |
] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:07, 23 January 2025
Ancient Greek temple on Naxos, Greece| Ναός του Απόλλωνα (Πορτάρα) | |
 View of the temple from the south | |
  Shown within Greece | |
| Location | Naxos (city), Greece |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°06′37″N 25°22′20″E / 37.1102°N 25.3723°E / 37.1102; 25.3723 |
| Type | Temple |
| Length | 38 m (125 ft) |
| Width | 16 m (52 ft) |
| Height | 6 m (20 ft) |
| History | |
| Builder | Lygdamis |
| Material | Naxian marble |
| Founded | c. 530 BC |
| Periods | Archaic Greek |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Ownership | Public |
| Public access | Yes |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Ionic |
The Temple of Apollo, or Portara (Greek: Πορτάρα, meaning 'large door'), was an ancient Greek temple in Naxos, dedicated to the god Apollo. The temple was constructed in the 6th century BC by the tyrant Lygdamis.
It is located on the islet Palatia at the northern end of Naxos' harbor. This islet is commonly thought to correspond to the place where, in Greek Mythology, Theseus abandoned Ariadne, who was then abducted by Dionysus and his entourage. The islet is connected to the town of Naxos by a causeway built in 1919.
History
Prehistory & Early history
During prehistory, the islet was connected by a narrow isthmus to the rest of the island and is believed to have been fortified. A sanctuary dedicated to Apollo is thought to have existed there since at least the 8th century BC. During the 7th century BC, the islet was captured and used as a base for assaults against Naxos by Miletus and Erythrae.
Construction of the Temple
Construction of the temple was started around 530 BC by the tyrant Lygdamis, whose building program included several public buildings and infrastructure projects on the island. The temple was of ionic order, 38 meters long and 16 meters wide, with an entrance on the northwest side. It is oriented towards the (then) sacred island of Delos. Construction work stopped at the latest around 524 BC, when Lygdamis was removed from power by the Peloponnesian League, a military alliance led by Sparta, and the temple remained unfinished.
The main surviving feature of the temple is its large marble door frame. It consists of five marble pieces (originally four), weighing up to 20 tons each. The marble was transported there from the marble quarry at Flerio, about 10 km (6.2 mi) away. There is a number of bosses (bumps) carved on the marble pieces, which were used to hold ropes in order to lift the pieces by wooden crane. These would normally be removed at the end of construction, which shows that the temple was never completed. The temple had two planning phases: some initial construction had taken place in the 540s BC, however at some point around 530 BC the temple plan was changed and rotated by 180 degrees.
Later History
Much later, during the 5th century AD, a Christian church was built on top of the ancient temple ruins. This church, which was dedicated to Saint Mary, was known as Panagia Palatiani. A cut, still visible today, was made in the Portara's threshold to make room for the door of that church. During the 9th century AD, a church dedicated to Saints Nicholas and Constantine was added. During the Venetian Period, many parts of the temple were reused for the construction of the Castle of Naxos. The massive marble pieces of the temple's gate could probably not be moved due to their large weight, resulting in them being left in place.
Today
Today, the temple is one of the main landmarks the town of Naxos, and is often used as an emblem representing the entire island. It is visited by large numbers of tourists during the summer months, with large crowds often gathering there during the sunset. The entrance to the islet is free of charge.
Sources
- Kariotis, Panagiotis. Naxos the Eternal. Athens: Speech Processing Institute, 2004
- Kotsakis, Athanasios. Naxos during the Venetian occupation. Athens: Pelasgos, 2001
- Naxos : Archaeological sites; museums; nature; history; architecture; attractions; beaches; accommodation; maps: A complete travel guide. Minakakis, Vassilis; Sigala, Neli . Athens: Explorer, 2007
- Portara
- Portara: the monument - symbol of Naxos Archived 2015-02-28 at the Wayback Machine </link>
- Nikos Zervonikolakis: Portara
- Orinos Axotis, The churches in Portara, Naxos
References
- ^ Anastasiou, Tasos (2024). A travelogue of Naxos. ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΙΑ ΑΡΧΙΠΕΛΑΓΟΣ. p. 142. ISBN 9789608875982.
- Martin Lambertz: The temple of Apollo on Naxos - Two planning phases in detail. In: Architectura, Jg. 39, 2009, Heft 1, S. 1–12.
- "οι εκκλησίες στη Πορτάρα της Νάξου" (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-11-30.