Sangri, Naxos: Worshipping the Goddess Demeter

However, nothing compares to the Archaic temple of Demeter, built around 530 BC as part of the ambitious building program implemented by Lygdamis, the tyrant of Naxos, in the years when every aspect of the island flourished.

As one of the few Ionic temples, with its unusual square layout (a rare feature for Greek temples at the time) and two monumental doorways, it is the only well-preserved Telestirion, a columned hall intended for mystical gatherings. Moreover, the temple at Sangri is a rare example of a structure made completely of marble – from the walls to the roof tiles – with a large percentage of its original material preserved. These elements make the temple not just a spectacular sight but also an invaluable source of knowledge with regards to ancient architecture, as it offers information about techniques similar to those used on the Parthenon, a whole century before the latter’s construction. Worship at the site is attested until the 6th century AD, when the sanctuary was converted into a Christian basilica.

The nearby Archaeological Collection of Sangri displays various finds unearthed in excavations, including pottery, vessels and tools, architectural members from the sanctuary, statues of kouroi, inscriptions, as well as fragments of the ambo and marble window screens from the Early Christian basilica. The Collection has received the prestigious Europa Nostra Award in recognition of the architectural design of the building and its harmonious integration into the surrounding landscape.