Demetra Temple Naxos

Naxos is a continuous surprise, and one of its generous gifts is certainly the Demeter Temple which is located in a somewhat hidden area near the Ano Sangri village on Gyroula site in the central part of the island in the middle of a fertile valley.

In a hilly position with a fantastic panorama of the surrounding countryside, the Demeter Temple dates back to the 6th century BC and is considered the most important archaeological site outside the capital Chora.

Dedicated to the goddess Demeter,Cronus daughter and Hera and Zeus sister. The name means Mother Earth and in fact it is considered the protector of agriculture which supervises the work in the fields and which is represented with bundles of wheat and poppies in the hands. The temple was built in a period when sacred buildings were being built in large quantities, however its temple architecture is unusual in having a square shaped plan with five Ionic columns right in front of the entrance. The roof was made of marble of various thicknesses to allow the light to create particular games inside.

In the fifth century AD, the temple was modified with the closure of the side where there are columns and converted into a church which, however, in the seventh century AD was rebuilt leaving only the original side standing. In the ninth century, during a mad raid by pirates who set the Naxos island on fire, the Demeter Temple manages to save itself in part and is exactly what you see today. A small museum is present on the site but the times are always different, so inquire before being disappointed because it is closed.

The history of Demeter Temple, dates back to 530 BC when the tyrant Lygmadis who wanted to develop Naxos town planning, imposed to build it at the same time as that of Apollo the so called Portara identifying and undisputed symbol of the island. The birth of these sites were designed to demonstrate Lygmadis' strength and power to other islands. As for the Apollo temple, it was later abandoned and pillaged both by pirates and by Venetians and Turks during the period of their domination for the construction of new buildings.

The entrance to the Demeter Temple is free and you will also find a small car park five minutes walk from the entrance always free.

It is advisable to have your own vehicle to reach the fairly remote and unused place. Just follow the asphalted road and through the green valley at a certain point it is impossible not to see the white marble of the Temple above a promontory.

A piece of history of the island where a visit is a must, perhaps including it in the itinerary of things to do in Naxos, adding also the other beautiful villages of the Tragea valley where you can still breathe that ancient atmosphere made of traditions and legends.