The marble Portara or the ‘large gateway’ is probably the very first point on which your eyes will rest when arriving at Naxos Island. It lies on a small island connected with the port through a narrow stretch of land.

Yet it is a truly monumental entrance to the Temple of Apollo, that was never finished though. The construction of the impressive building that was supposed to be the hugest and the most beautiful in the whole Greece was commanded more than 2 500 years ago by the then ruler. Nonetheless, the works were interrupted by a merciless war, and so the temple never saw the light of the day. But still the gateway on its own gives evidence of the art of the architects of that time. It consists of four independent 20 ton massifs with the height of almost 6 metres.

It is said that the one who stands in the space of the gateway, pronouncing his wish to themselves, the wish will come true. Together with the sunset, such experience can be a truly unforgettable, almost mystical memory of the magical island of Naxos.