The Center of The World
The Greek island often considered “the center of the world” in antiquity is Delos.
While the ancient Greek site of Delphi on the mainland was famously considered the “Navel of the Earth” (Omphalos), Delos held a distinct, supremely sacred position as the heart of the Aegean, especially due to its mythological connection to the birth of the god of light, Apollo.
Mythological Story: Birthplace of Twin Gods
The island’s designation as the most sacred is rooted in the myth of the birth of the twin gods, Apollo (god of the sun, light, music, and prophecy) and Artemis (goddess of the moon, the hunt, and the wilderness). Zeus, king of the gods, had an affair with the Titaness Leto, who became pregnant. Zeus’s jealous wife, Hera, furious at Leto, decreed that Leto would not be allowed to give birth on any place on earth that was “under the sun” or on “solid ground.” With all lands terrified of Hera’s wrath, the heavily pregnant Leto was shunned and forced to wander, unable to find a safe haven. Finally, she came upon a small, barren, and rocky island that was not yet fixed to the seabed; it was a floating, “unseen” (Adelos) rock called Ortygia. In some versions of the myth, Zeus is said to have anchored this floating island. As soon as Leto set foot on the island, it became “visible” (Delos). Leto gave birth to Artemis first, and then, with her daughter’s help, she gave birth to Apollo, often described as emerging “bathed in the unique light” of his birth. It is said that at Apollo’s birth, the entire island shone with light and was suddenly covered in gold and flowers. The island was instantly transformed from a barren rock to the most sacred sanctuary in the Greek world, and was permanently fixed in place. The island became devoted to Apollo.
Delos as the Center of Cyclades
Beyond the myth, the geographical position of Delos physically reinforced its symbolic importance. It is located almost precisely in the center of the arc of islands in the Aegean Sea. The entire island group surrounding it is named the Cyclades, which literally means “the circular islands” (or “those that circle”) because they form a rough circle (kyklos) around the sacred island of Delos. Because of its status as the birthplace of the great Olympian god Apollo, Delos was considered so sacred that the ancient Athenians decreed “purifications” of the island. By the 5th century BC, the Athenians formalized a decree that no one was allowed to be born or to die on Delos. Pregnant women and those near death were taken to the nearby island of Rheneia. This ensured the island’s purity and sanctity. Delos became one of the most important Pan-Hellenic (all-Greek) sanctuaries and a major religious pilgrimage site.
The island’s central location also made it a major trading port in the Hellenistic period, attracting merchants and inhabitants from all over the Mediterranean, making it a truly cosmopolitan hub and a literal commercial center of the world for a time.
Good news! It is absolutely possible and allowed to travel to Delos today, but with very specific rules as it is an extremely important archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here are the key points for visiting:
- Day Trip Only: Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight on Delos. The only people permitted to stay are archaeologists and caretakers. All visitors must leave the island by late afternoon, typically with the last ferry.
- Access is by Boat: You can only reach Delos by boat, most commonly on a ferry or guided tour departing from the nearby island of Mykonos. There are also services from other Cycladic islands like Naxos and Paros, especially during the summer.
- Archaeological Site: The entire island is designated as an open-air archaeological site. You must pay an entrance fee to access the ruins and the museum.
- Open Hours: The site has fixed opening and closing hours, which vary depending on the season. During the main tourist season (roughly April to October), there are multiple daily departures and the site is generally open for most of the day.
