Tinos Poseidon Sanctuary

Location: Kionia

In ancient times, Tinos was home to the culturally important Sanctuary of Poseidon, located within walking distance from the modern settlement of Kionia. Interestingly, Tinos was the only Cycladic island that had dedicated an entire temple to Poseidon, the god of the sea. Along with him, his wife, the sea nymph Amphitrite, was also worshiped. Today, only the excavated foundations of this ancient temple can be seen in the area, serving as evidence of the island’s religious history.

Archaeologists believe the temple dates to the 4th century BC, maybe even a bit earlier, firmly placing it in the Hellenistic period. Around the 3rd century BC, it was reconstructed and its fame started to spread. Tinos quickly became an important religious center and many travelers would visit the site to seek healing from Poseidon, before venturing out to the sacred island of Delos. In January and February, religious ceremonies known as Poseidonia were celebrated to honor the god, consisting of theatrical performances, athletic events, and sacrifices.

The original 4th-century church was rectangular with two interiors, the Pronaos and Naos (Pre-nave and Nave). After being reconstructed, the church was replaced by the larger temple that housed statutes of Poseidon and Amphitrite. Made out of local marble, it was a characteristic example of Doric architecture and also featured some representations of the god's symbols, such as dolphins and the trident. Apart from the main temple, the site included baths, an altar, a monumental stoa, and a fountain.

In the 4th century AD, when Christianity was established as a religion, the temple was destroyed and its materials were used for construction. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that excavations in the area would bring to light the once-thriving religious center. The excavations were led by the Belgian archaeologists H. Demoulin and P. Graindor in 1902 and 1905 respectively. Today, many of their findings are showcased in the Archaeological Museum of Tinos.

The archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Poseidon is open to visitors every day except for Tuesday, from 08:30 to 15:00.