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Delos Archaeological Site – Greece

This tiny sacred island measuring only 3 sq km ( 1.16 sq miles) holds the world record for having the most antiquities from the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods on earth! This used to be the busiest port in the Aegean sea. People produced, traded and lived there. The ones who resided here had homes with beautiful marble floors and fresco on the walls. Delos was also the center for slave trade. Thousands of slaves that were captured by the Cicilian pirates were sold in Delos to Roman traders.

It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The remote location of this site has helped to preserve it tremendously. The island remained uninhabited for 130 years before it was excavated. It is a barren island, nothing grows here which is probably why no city or town has ever been built over this site. This sacred site is a must see if you are visiting Mykonos! It’s one of the few places on earth where no one is allowed to be born or die there.

Sadly you cannot stay on this island for more than a few hours, which means that if you truly want to explore the entire site, you may have to come back a few times. The entire island is an archaeological site. There are no restaurants or lodging of any type here. The site is recognized by it’s Terrace of Lions, there used to be twelve to sixteen but only five remain. They were dedicated to Apollo by the people of Naxos

Birthplace Of The Immortals

Zeus’s lover Leto found refuge from the wrath of Hera on this island. She was pregnant and according to Greek legend Zeus called on his brother Poseidon to create the island and with a thrust of Poseidon’s trident, Delos appeared. The name means “appearance” or “apparent” in Greek. Leto’s labors lasted nine days and nine nights before she finally gave birth to twins Apollo-Sun god of daylight and his sister Artemis-Moon goddess of night-light. The island is completely bare and lacks water. They were born under the only tree that lived on this island at the time. It was a palm tree. The island became Apollo’s sanctuary. Apollo was also the god of prophecy, light and arts, mostly music which was why music competitions were often held in his sanctuary.

WHY DID THE ISLAND BECOME SACRED?

During the Peloponnesian war the oracle at Delphi ordered the island of Delos be purged of all dead bodies and she said that no one was to be born or die here. A complete cleansing of the island took place and all the dead were unburied and taken off the island. All births and deaths were then banned on Delos. Pregnant women and the dying were transported to the neighboring island of Rineia. The island was considered sacred because it was where Apollo was born. This allowed the island to remain neutral in commerce and no one could then claim the island through inheritance. Right after this purification took place, the first quinquennial Delia festival games were held here.

WHAT WAS THE DELIA FESTIVAL?

The Festival was celebrated every 4 years in the month of may until 316 BC. It originally started as gymnastics, theatrical and musical competitions with dances, chorus and banquets. In 426 BC horse races were added to the competition. This festival was similar to some of the first Olympics.

Must See

Terrace of the Lions

Dedicated to Apollo by the people of Naxos just before 600 BCE. There were originally twelve of these lions, only five remain. What you will see are replicas, the originals have been moved to the museum of Delos.

House of Dionysus

Luxurious home with beautiful large columns and a mosaic floor with an image of Dionysus riding a panther.

House of the Trident

Theater

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