Naxos Demeter Temple
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Location: Sangri
Near the village of Sangri, 10 km from Naxos Town, lies the sacred temple of Demeter. This magnificent temple has been made exclusively of the finest quality Naxos marble and dates back to the 6th century BC.
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As Demeter was the Olympian goddess of agriculture, harvest, and fertility, people built temples dedicated to her on fertile lands, such as that of Sangri.
The rise
Excavations have led to the conclusion that the area was serving religious purposes since the late Mycenaean Era. During that time, places of worship used to be open-air.
The temple of Demeter in its current form was built around 530-520 BC, in the Doric architectural style that later influenced the Parthenon of Athens. It is of major archaeological importance, and some of its best-preserved sections have helped experts gain a better understanding of the architecture of that period.
Its construction took place under the rule of Lygdamis, the tyrant of Naxos. Lygdamis had planned to create some of Greece's most impressive monuments in Naxos, including the Temple of Demeter and Portara, which supposedly would be a part of a great temple dedicated to Apollo that was never completed.
Top Tours and activities
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Full day historical bus tour
Book nowfrom € 30.00Category: Island, Day Trips, Shore Excursions8 hours MapThis full-day bus tour takes participants around historical points of interest of Naxos, both ancient and more modern ones. It is the perfect opportunity to learn about the island’s culture and history in a comprehensive and fun way.
More info about the Temple of Demeter
The fall
The temple's popularity began to decline after the 3rd century BC. When Christianity took over, the temple of Demeter was converted to a Christian basilica, and a small church was built in its center. The chapel was dedicated to Saint John, with marble from the ancient temple used for its construction. Fortunately, only some minor modifications were made to the monument.
The church was probably ruined in the 6th century AD after an Arabic invasion, although some remnants lie there. It was rebuilt in 1977 in a different location, in the south.
The restoration
The remains of the ancient temple of Demeter were discovered by the archaeologist Nikolaos Kontoleon in 1949. The excavations lasted from 1976 to 1995. Fragments of the temple were recovered from all around the area, although many had been looted.
In the mid-1990s, a group of German archaeologists restored the temple partially to revive its ancient glory.
Today, the Temple of Demeter is one of the most beautiful ancient Greek temples, set in a picturesque environment in the area of Sangri.
Authentic parts of the temple that were not used during the restoration process are housed in a small museum near the archeological site that is open to the public.
The museum is open every day except for Tuesdays from 08:30 to 15:30. Entrance to the outdoor archeological site is free.
How to get there
The Temple of Demeter is located in Sangri village.
Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: 0030 22850 25835, 0030 22850 24829, or booking your taxi online.
Car rental: Τhere's the option of renting a car and picking it up directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Using a rental car allows visitors to discover the Temple of Demeter and many other places of interest at their own pace.
Public transfers: The central bus station of the island is located at the port of Naxos. There are several buses from Chora to Sangri during the day. Lines 2, 6, and 7 are those that reach Sangri. Consider that time schedules might change according to the season. Check the official timetables here.
Tip: Since buses don’t always stop at every scheduled stop of their itinerary, our advice to visitors is to inform the driver about their final destination in advance.
Photos by Greeka Members
Photos by Greeka Team
Map
Reviews
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ablutsauger 09 Dec 2015A little abandoned but great placeThe "original" Temple of Demeter was built in 6th BC. The temple was a ruin for ages, but recently, it was discovered that most of its parts are still "alive", so it was reconstructed, plastered... and we have the result we have.
The place is very nice, with long path surrounded by trees leading to it, and church and very cute museum (which was closed at the time of our visit).
The temple is in the middle of nowhere, with practically no signs. I'm not sure about the bus tours, but if you have rented a car, you'll find it pretty easily, and then you can continue for a trekking on Zeus mountain. :) -
summer 22 Sep 2010Need for reconstruction planA little mess to find the temple because signs were not very enlightening. We asked some locals in Sangri and eventually we found it, right after a turn, 2 km from Ano Sangri. It was a lovely temple, as all ancient Greek sanctuaries. This one was for Demeter, the goddess of fertility and grain. Not a surprise actually, if you think that Naxos has green and fertile land. We saw many people cultivating the land on our holidays in Naxos. As I was saying, the temple was lovely but sure a plan for its reconstruction must start. It is really a pity that so beautiful ancient sights are sometimes abandoned due to lack of money or plan. Next to the temple, there is a tiny chapel. Ancient and christian sanctuaries side by side!
