The iconic Portara, the monumental marble gateway of an unfinished ancient temple on the island of Naxos in Greece, is set to undergo a major change. Following a recent incident involving a tourist and a fragment of ancient marble, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades has decided to install wire fencing at the archaeological site.
This move, which has been met with mixed reactions from the local community, marks a significant shift in how one of Greece’s most recognizable monuments will be managed. The catalyst for the decision was a photograph that went viral last Friday. The image showed a tourist lifting a slab of ancient marble and posing with this—an act that local media and residents condemned as a profound act of disrespect.
While an on-site inspection confirmed that no lasting damage was done to the 2,500-year-old monument, the incident highlighted the vulnerability of the open-air site. For many, it was a wake-up call that the Portara, which has long been a freely accessible landmark, was in need of greater protection.
In response, the Ephorate has taken immediate action by assigning a guard to the site. However, the plan to install fencing has sparked debate. Many locals and regular visitors cherish the Portara’s open, unobstructed character, viewing it as a symbol of Naxos’s welcoming spirit. The prospect of a fenced-off monument has been a source of disappointment, with critics arguing that it detracts from the landmark’s natural grandeur and accessibility.
Looking ahead, authorities are considering even stricter measures. Reports indicate that officials are mulling over a proposal to make the Portara a formal, closed archaeological site. Such a change would likely include an entrance fee and a permanent, staffed security presence. The incident has thus sparked a crucial conversation on the island about the future of its cultural heritage, weighing the need for preservation against the desire to maintain the Portara’s historical role as a freely shared public space.
Portara of Naxos: a monumental marble gateway
Portara of Naxos is one of the most iconic and enduring symbols of the Cycladic islands. It is a monumental marble gateway that has stood proudly at the entrance to Naxos harbor for over 2,500 years. This imposing structure is the only surviving part of an ancient temple dedicated to the god Apollo, a colossal project that was left unfinished in antiquity. Despite its incomplete state, the Portara’s rich history and architectural grandeur continue to captivate visitors and researchers alike.
The temple’s construction began around 530 BC under the tyrant Lygdamis, who envisioned a structure even grander than the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens. However, political turmoil led to the project’s abandonment.
What remains today is the magnificent Portara, a 6-meter-high (20-foot-high) and 3.5-meter-wide (11.5-foot-wide) gate, crafted from high-quality Naxian marble. This brilliant white crystalline marble, quarried on the island since ancient times, was renowned for its exceptional purity and durability, making it a favored material for sculptures and grand constructions across the ancient Greek world.
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