Temple of Demeter

The Temple of Demeter is located near the village of Ano Sangri, in a vast rural area, surrounded by hills and cultivated fields. It is the most important archaeological site outside the city of Naxos.

It was dedicated to the cult of the goddess Demeter, sister of Zeus, who in Greek mythology is the goddess of wheat and agriculture, in fact the temple is located among the cultivated fields of the island.

What was the Temple of Demeter like?

This ancient temple is particularly important for Templar architecture since it was built in the culminating period of the construction of temples and its square plan with five Ionic columns placed in front of the main entrance is rather unusual. Its roof was a mixture of thick marbles and thin marbles, which allowed light to filter inside.

History

The temple of Demeter was built in the 6th century BC, at the behest of the tyrant Lygdamis, who at the time ruled the island of Naxos.

As the temple of Palatia was abandoned after the defeat of Lygdamis and in the 6th century AD, it became a church. The structure was modified and the open side where the columns were located was closed. The church was rebuilt in the seventh century AD. leaving only part of the original temple standing.

The new building was sacked in the 9th century, probably by pirates and its splendid marbles were used for the construction of new buildings, during the Venetian and Turkish domination. But still today, from its ruins we can understand its original structure and subsequent modifications, thanks also to the restorations made. In fact, modern marbles have been added to help visitors imagine its original beauty.

Near the temple there is also a small but interesting museum which however has a somewhat uncertain opening time. We advise you to inquire in advance if you want to visit it.

How to get

The temple of Demeter is located in the southern part of the island of Naxos and is not difficult to reach. The white marble of the temple stands out among the verdant hills.

A path starts from the small car park and takes you to the temple in 5 minutes.

The visit of the temple is free

Take a rental car and venture in search of the Demeter temple to discover the history of Naxos, over 2000 years long.