Temple of Dionysus in Naxos, Greece
Naxos Sights & Monuments - The Temple of Dionysus in Naxos, Greece is a significant sanctuary that was dedicated to the Greek god Dionysus and potentially a female nature deity. It served the followers of the faith from the Mycenaean era in the 14th century BC to the Roman period. Situated in the fertile valley of Livadi, south of Naxos town at Iria, the temple was built to address the growing needs of the devoted, despite the challenges posed by the area's swampy terrain.
The Naxos-based Iria temples are a testament to the origin of Greek marble island architecture, and they provide exceptional evidence of its development.
In the 5th or 6th century AD, the temple was converted into a Christian basilica. However, frequent flooding caused it to be abandoned, and the worshippers relocated to the nearby Agios Georgios church. This sanctuary complex even featured a restaurant to cater to the needs of the faithful.
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