The first view of the visitor, before disembarking to the island is that of "Portara". The ruins of a temple dedicated to Apollo are preserved around Portara to this day.









Its construction started the 6th century BC during the rule of the tyrant of the island Lygdamis, but was never completed because he was exiled by his people in the mean time, after the lost war with the tyrant of Samos.

The gate is around 6m high and about 3,5m wide and was built with 4 separate columns. Now there are just 3 columns left. Some of the temple's stones were used by Marko Sanoudo furing the Venetian rule as ordinary building materials for the Kastro.

It is believed that this temple should have been dedicated to the god Apollo because the Portara is located to the west where Delos is, the island of Apollon.

Apollon, sun of Zeus and Leto, was the god protecting music and poets and was worshiped especially by young men because of his beauty and perfection. The temple was left unfinished after the dictator abdicated. He was the only dictator ever on Naxos.

Later, in the Middle Ages, when it was a habit building churches in the old temples' area, a Christian church was temporarily erected behind the Portara.

Above and beyond the archaeological significance of the "island of palaces" Portara is one of the unique spots of Cyclades for a visitor that wishes to enjoy a magnificent sunset and stare at the surrounding widespread islands of Cyclades.