The Island of Delos is said to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece therefore overnight stays are forbidden-- so we decided to visit by ferry.

The Cyclades historically gained their name as a circle of islands with the centre being the sacred island of Delos.

The island is now uninhabited, but its earliest inhabitants were around the 3rd millennium BC.  From the 8th century BC  Delos was a religious centre, sacred, ‘purified ’ and a shrine to Apollo..    Women were moved off the island to give birth and the elderly and infirm were ‘not allowed’ to die there !!!  So we guess if you were hastily ferried off to Mykonos you knew your days were numbered. Early documentation suggests the re purification of Delos, presumably with ‘unplanned’ deaths !!

 

The religious centre at Delos became a highly successful, commercial centre with a busy port and at its peak housed 30,000 people---- on a tiny island.

 

The ruined sanctuary is well worth the visit. We walked through narrow streets and alleyways between what were houses, some with the remains of inlaid floors.  The amphitheatre once held 5,500 people with a sophisticated drainage system to catch and store rainwater. The site covers a substantial area with some columns and statues in-situ.

The museum houses the main artefacts. We saw photographs of a stunning collection of jewellery dated BC, an intricate design with inlaid gems and pearls. The box was recently uncovered from under a floor in the ruins. The box is believed to have been hastily hidden with coins spilled etc--- perhaps from pirates--- the owners hoping to return to collect it in their future.  The actual jewellery is displayed in Athens.

 

Photos of Delos---------

 

Love to all

 

Tina and Tony x x