The setting sun casts a golden glow over lounge chairs and umbrellas on pebbly Gagou beach below the Gagou Beach Hotel on Samos.
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Dromeas (“Runner” in English) is a 12-meter-tall glass and iron sculpture created in 1994 by Athens artist Costas Varotsos
Sharp Dresser: Athens may be one of the world’s safest cities, but you won’t want to run into a big Greek guy named Dromeas while you’re there — he would literally tear you to pieces.
Standing 12 meters tall (nearly 30 feet), Dromeas cuts a dashing figure at Megalis tou Genous Sholi square near the Hilton Athens Hotel on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue. Created by noted Athens sculptor Costas Varotsos in 1994, Dromeas originally stood at Omonia Square, but was moved when construction commenced on the underground metro station there. Concerns that shakes and vibrations from subway building activity could damage the sculpture prompted his relocation to a triangular public square close to the Canadian Embassy.
A photo of Dromeas and the Athens Hilton, shared on the Facebook community page This is Athens
Dromeas is seen in a dramatic image that sculptor Costas Varotsos shared on @costasvarotsos, his official Instagram account
This marvellous image of Dromeas was captured and shared on Instagram by photographer @imikov during the heavy snowfall that paralyzed Athens and many other parts of Greece on January 24 2022
Another amazing photo of Dromeas during the Elpis snowstorm, this time captured by photographer Lucas Kouloubis. The image was shared on @costasvarotsos, the official Instagram page for sculptor Costas Varotsos.
This Associated Press photo of Dromeas, shot after the Elpis snowstorm had subsided, was widely circulated on social media
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Please turn to page 2 to view more photos of Dromeas.
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The mountainous Amorgos coastline was in silhouette from a brilliant sunrise when we approached by ferry for our first-ever visit to the island …
… and it was once again in silhouette when we departed the island, also at sunrise, several days later. Both photos show views of Cape Koutsogiani, the hulking dark mountain at right. Tiny Monopetra island pokes out of the sea a few hundred meters from the sheer cliff coastline of the Amorgos north coast.
Scenery silhouettes: During our island-hopping holiday in 2009, we arrived at Amorgos in very much the same circumstances as we departed several days later — watching the sunrise from the open deck of a ferry.
Our arrival on May 21 2009 is literally burned into my memory, probably because I was nearly blinded by the fiery, searing sun while I tried to take photos as we approached Amorgos on the Blue Star ferry ship, the Naxos. I’ll never forget arriving at Amorgos for another reason: the horribly early start to our day.
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The Portara monument is a superb sunset viewing spot at Naxos Town
Golden globes: On Naxos, it’s easy to combine history and culture with a bit of sightseeing and sunset viewing all in one free self-guided excursion just a few minutes’ walk from Naxos Town.
All you have to do is take an evening stroll along the short causeway leading to the peninsula on the edge of town (an area known as the Palatia district). Climb the hillside, and you’ll find yourself on one of the island’s best sunset viewing spots, right next to one of the most famous monuments on the island — the giant stone door frame known as the Portara. (If you arrive at Naxos by ferry, you will probably see the Portara as your boat approaches the port.)
Dating from the 6th Century B.C., this remnant of an Archaic temple is described in some guidebooks as the Temple of Apollo, while others call it Ariadne’s Arch (apparently, historians and archaeologists can’t conclusively establish the Greek god in whose honour the structure was originally built).
Though its origins might still be a mystery, what’s beyond question is that the hillside around the Portara is an excellent place to watch sunsets and to enjoy superb views of Naxos Town, its harbour, and its nearby coastline.
Below are some of our photos of the Portara and the peninsula, and of course the sunsets and views from both.
I snapped this photo of the Portara and the Palatia peninsula when our ferry arrived at the port at Naxos Town, on one of our trips to Naxos.
A view of the Portara from the marina at the bustling Naxos Town waterfront
This sign near the harbour points the way to the Palatia peninsula
You’ll pass this replica of a sculpture while you walk toward to the causeway; it stands on the right-hand side of the walkway.
Looking toward the Palatia peninsula from the stone-paved path on the causeway. Locals like to swim in the bay just below steps at the bottom of the hill.
The Portara comes into view as I approach the top of the hill
The Portara has numerous names, including the Temple of Apollo, The Doorway to Ariadne’s Palace, and Ariadne’s Arch
The base of the giant doorway
A view of Naxos Town from the base of the monument
Another view of Naxos Town and the harbour area behind the Portara
There isn’t much that remains of the temple besides its famous doorway. Most of the ruins, including the arch, are roped off so tourists can’t walk on them.
Most tourists try to get one of these “I was there” photos of themselves framed by the giant stone doorway …
… but some people just don’t like to have their photos taken
The giant monument dwarfs tourists walking on the hillside behind it
The Portara stands like a sentry above Naxos harbour and St George’s Bay
The peninsula offers a good view of Stelida mountain on the far side of the bay …
… and, in the other direction, the Grotta district of Naxos Town
Some tourists stand or sit at the top of the hill to await the sunset …
… some enjoy a cold beer and check out the scenery while they wait …
… while others find a comfy spot above the sea offering a good direct view to the west, facing nearby Paros island …
… so they can get photos of the sun setting behind the distant island mountains …
… much like this photo I snapped …
… while others prefer to photograph the Portara with the sunset behind it
Two tourists begin the walk back to Naxos Town after viewing the Portara
Overlooking the Naxos waterfront and harbour from the Portara
A view of Naxos Town from the hillside next to the Portara
Hillside view of the causeway and Naxos Town
Looking toward Naxos Town from the causeway. Locals like to swim off the right-hand side of the walkway.
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A sunset view of the Portara from the causeway
A sunset view of the Portara from the seashore below the Grotta district
