In Greece, there are about 6,000 islands and rocky islets. As one can imagine, in addition to the large, famous and beautiful islands, you can also find small diamonds, unknown to the general public. Some of them have few inhabitants while others are completely uninhabited. One of them is located in the Aegean Sea and looks like a small open museum. We are talking about the island of Despotikon.
A small open museum in the Aegean Sea
Just a stride from Antiparos you will find Despotikon, an uninhabited island with two main characteristics. The first, it has unique beaches. The second is that there have been great archaeological excavations, turning the whole island into an open museum.
The island is unstructured and the archaeological findings are combined with a pristine landscape. And precisely for this reason, Despotikon is transformed into a special place not only to Greece but also to all the world. Lunar, rocky, imposing. A beige dot in the deep blue. Deep blue, because the depth of the waters surrounding Despotikon, with the exception of some points, is vastly deep.
The findings tell the story of the rich archaic sanctuary founded on the island by the inhabitants of Paros, as well as stories about Miltiadis’ campaign against the island and the vengeful fury of the pirates who burned it. The inscribed shells found in the area, confirm the worship of Apollo. He was adored together with his sister Artemis and the goddess Estia, who was also called Isthmia.
The most elaborate structure on the island is the temple, which is built mainly of marble, that was transferred to the island from the quarries of Paros and its exceptional quality made it sought after in the largest sanctuaries of Greece. 
The façade of the temple is supported by seven columns 3.80 meters high, which, together with the gable would exceed 6 meters in height, while, around the sanctuary, were other auxiliary buildings for the needs of the priesthood and the visitors.
From the summer of 2018 and after about 20 years, the archaeological site is again open to visitors. The only inhabitant of the island since ancient times was a shepherd in 1997 who had to leave the island because his house was on top of the ancient sanctuary.
The impressive beaches of the island
Its beaches, sandy, some smaller surrounded by rocks, others larger, endless, but all of them quiet. Something impressive and characteristic of the island is that the strait that separates Despotikon from Antiparos has a depth of only one meter, while between the two islands is inserted the islet Koimitiri (Cemetery). The island is the ideal place of tranquillity. It has a coast with small coves and sandy beaches. Everything you need to stop with a boat and enjoy its beautiy.
We stay in Greece and discover it through beautiful images, stories and information…
With information from antiparos.com
Aegean: The beach with pine trees touching the sea
Frequently Asked Questions
Despotikon is a small uninhabited island located in the Aegean Sea, just off the coast of Antiparos in Greece. It is known as an open museum due to its extensive archaeological excavations and findings, combined with pristine natural landscapes and unique beaches.
The archaeological site on Despotikon reopened to visitors in the summer of 2018, after being closed for approximately 20 years.
According to inscribed shells found at the site, Apollo was the main deity worshipped at Despotikon. He was adored together with his sister Artemis and the goddess Estia (also called Isthmia). The island was home to a rich archaic sanctuary founded by inhabitants of Paros.
The temple on Despotikon is the most elaborate structure on the island, built primarily of marble quarried from Paros. Its façade is supported by seven columns standing 3.80 meters high, which together with the gable would exceed 6 meters in height. The sanctuary was surrounded by auxiliary buildings for priesthood and visitors.
Despotikon features impressive sandy beaches, some smaller and surrounded by rocks while others are larger and endless. All beaches are peaceful and quiet. The strait separating Despotikon from Antiparos is only one meter deep, making it ideal for boat access. The island is known for its tranquil coves and pristine coastal beauty.
