 |
 |
 |
| Guide Yolanda displays Delos town plan |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Located in the Aegean Sea, two kilometers west of the island of Mykonos in the Cyclades archipelago, Delos was the largest religious and commercial center of the ancient world. We explored this sacred island on a fascinating half-day Celestyal Cruises shore excursion.
A 25-minute Delos Tours boat trip brought us from the old port in Mykonos to Delos. Our guide Yolanda began our tour of the ancient town in the Agora of the Competaliasts, a trading center for grain, wine and slaves.
Yolanda helped us travel back in time as she showed us the town plan and explained that Delos was the mythical birthplace of Zeus's twin-offspring, the sun god Apollo and the moon goddess Artemis.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The entire five-kilometer-long island, which is no more than 1,300 meters wide, is an archeological site. UNESCO listed Delos as a World Heritage Site in 1990.
Since the 7th century AD, the arid island (only 3.5 square kilometers in size) has been uninhabited. Today, the only residents are the feral cats that followed Yolanda everywhere, because she brought food for them.
 |
 |
 |
| Feral cat rests by House of the Trident sign |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Although Delos was settled in the 3rd century BC, its Sanctuary of Apollo dates from the 9th century BC. As we walked along ancient roads past homes, shops, warehouses, public buildings and temples, Yolanda pointed out niches in the walls that once held oil lamps and statues of gods to protect the families that lived there.
"How do you know what's restored in Delos and what isn't?" she asked. "If you see mortar, it's restored, but if there's no cement it's original."
Famous theater
With pilgrims and residents, Delos once had a population of 30,000. Its theater, dating from 314 BC, held up to 6,500 spectators.
 |
 |
 |
| Delos Theater |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
"Theater was part of their religion," said Yolanda. "Performances lasted up to four days at a time. Only men could participate. They wore face masks with different expressions. Women could watch the actors in a separate area from the men."
 |
 |
 |
| Mosaic of Dionysus riding a tiger |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
As we explored the theater, we noticed backrests on the front seats for VIPs. Near the theater are the remains of a hotel for visitors and a cistern that provided water.
Luxury homes
Wealthy traders, sea captains, bankers and merchants built elaborate multi-storey homes with courtyards in the Theatre Quarter. Some had wells which provided cooling as the water evaporated.
Many of the luxurious homes were decorated with mosaic floors, such as late 2nd century BC mosaic of the wine god Dionysus riding a tiger in the Dionysus House. We later viewed the original in the Archeological Museum of Delos. "In one eye of the Dionysus mosaic, you can count 29 small stones," said Yolanda.
 |
 |
 |
| Terrace of the Lions |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Terrace of the Lions
The most famous statues in Delos are protected from the weather in the museum. The people of Naxos island gave the snarling marble lions to the Sanctuary of Apollo to guard the sacred area at the end of the 7th century BC.
 |
 |
 |
| Feral cat walks by Delos ruins |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
We viewed life-sized replicas of the beasts, sitting on their hind legs on pedestals at the Terrace of the Lions in the Apollo Sanctuary.
Why are there so many lions? Yolanda explained that lions lived all over Europe at that time but disappeared from Greece around AD 100 due to climate change.
Archeological discoveries
She pointed out a circular well-like structure where archeologists found gold jewelry and pottery offerings to the goddess of fertility. In the museum, we viewed some of the pottery and jewelry.
Another exhibit displayed the 40-centimeter-long hand of the statue of Apollo from the colossal stone sculpture that once dominated his temple. Today, only a five-meter-long pedestal is left from the monument.
After Delos was attacked and looted in 88 and 69 BC, it declined rapidly and was abandoned. All that remains today are the ruins of its magnificent temples and homes and the cats who prowl the ancient streets.
What's the most fascinating thing about Delos? According to Yolanda, you need a week to see everything on the island, but only 20% has been excavated. "The rest is underground and under the sea."
TRAVEL INFORMATION
For a free cruise brochure and more shore excursion information visit www.celestyalcruises.com or call 1-877-337-4665 toll free.
More Celestyal Cruises Shore Excursions
Milos - Sarakiniko, Papafragas, Trypiti and Plaka Tour
Akrotiri Santorini Archeology Site Tour - Shore Excursion
