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Temple of Phanaios Apollo
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Phana was a highly important cult center, the tradition of which goes back to the 9th century BC, continues through the splendid phase of the Archaic era, and endured till Early Byzantine times, when it was a flourishing Christian center. Nowadays a small chapel of Saint Theodore stands on exactly the spot, on a small knoll not far from the bay.
Today there are only scant traces of the once famous sanctuary of Apollo, perhaps named thus after the showing forth there of Leto of Delos which was the Delion of Chios. Shreds and small finds dating from the earliest Geometric phase have been found, as well as two small sections of the destroyed peribolos wall on the west side, built of irregular limestone masonry.
Larger sections of the early archaic precinct wall, which has been traced for 74 meters and probably girded the sacred hillock have been preserved. It was built in the 6th century BC of irregular, medium size stones, only to the outer face of which had been worked. Contemporary with the wall are two flights of steps, 1.6 m. wide, on the north side, affording access to the sanctuary. |
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The large external peribolos built in the 6th century BC in regular courses of hard bluish-grey limestone, is all that remains of the succeeding phase, which was one the general renovation. The west face, that visible from the road leading up from the harbor, was more carefully worked. About 50m. along, the wall turns at a right angle at its north edge, continuing northwards for 53,5 m. at which point there is a projection (20.6 m. x 1.8 m.) with a flight of steps, as the previous period. The north side continues for another 8.7 m., its eastern end turning at an obtuse angle and continuing eastwards.
Very few remnants of the ancient temple have survived. Its building material (blocks, columns, decorative sections, etc) was re-used in later Christian churches built directly on the top of it, or dispersed over a considerable distance from the area. Only the foundation of the northeast corner has been found in situ (8.5 m. of the east side and 25.7 m. of the north), constructed of the large slab-like stones, mainly of poros. Various architectural members have been collected from different parts of the area and its environs. |
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The temple was probably destroyed in the wake of the unsuccessful Ionian insurrection (494 BC) and rebuilt later. Its walls were of greyish-blue marble quarried at Latomi, Chios. The columns and decorative members of the upper structure were of white marble.
The column bases are of typical Asian type, resembling to the those of the first dipteral temple of Hera on Samos.
Though limited, the architectural elements indicate that the Temple of Phanaios Apollo must have been a magnificent structure, rivaling the other great temples of Ionia. Moreover Chians, like all the Greeks of the East, had direct contact with the architectural creations of the Asiatic kings, the principal feature of which was the extraordinary size.
Excavations brought to light other significant finds too, vases, figurines, coins, as well as a series of Egyptian scarabs and faience statuettes, indicative of its wealth and influence. |
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| Armolia, Pyrgi, Vessa, Elata, Lithi, Olympi, Mesta |
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Sightseeing |
Prehistoric Times
Prehistoric Emporio
Ancient Times
Temple of Phanaios Apollo, Temple of Athena at Emporio
Early Christian Times
Phana, Temple of Athena Polias
Medieval Times
Holy Apostles, Virgin Sikelia, Fortress of Apolihni, Pyrgi, Mesta, Olympi, Vessa, Watchtowers
Late Byzantine Times
Churches of Mesta
Post Byzantine and Later Times
Monastery of Zoodochos Pygi, St George Monastery at Pyrgi |
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| Komi, Mavra Volia, Vroulidia, Avlonia, Karida, Salagonas, Aghia Dynami, Potamoi, Kato Phana, Apothika, Limenas Meston, Didyma Beach, Merikounta, Aghia Irini, Lithi Beach, Trahilia, Elinda |
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