Katerina
Travel Editor
The happiest of the ancient gods and the most beloved to the people is undoubtedly Dionysus, the one who offered the vineyard and the wine and gave “flesh and bones” to the fun! Below you will read which islands this god is associated with.
Samos:
According to mythology, Dionysus hunted the Amazons, who took refuge on the island of Samos. The inhabitants of Samos helped Dionysus to exterminate them, and in return he taught them the art of wine. From ancient times the Samians are engaged in winemaking. Today on the island there are 25 wine villages that are systematically engaged in viticulture, producing millions of litres of wine, which are exported around the world.
Naxos:
Naxos is another island that was “blessed” by Dionysus, to whom the euphoria of its nature was attributed. Dionysus, having kidnapped Princess Ariadne, after Theseus abandoned her on Naxos, fell in love with her, made her his wife and led her to Mount Drion on the island, from where they climbed Mount Olympus together. Dionysus was worshiped there from the 8th century B.C. according to the monumental marble churches that were excavated. Also, the temple of Iris is dedicated to the god. The island is considered to have been the place where the Dionysian events took place for the first time. Finally, in the ancient quarry of Naxos is the kouros (the colossal statue) of Dionysus, which testifies to the worship of the god on the island.
Donousa:
Dionysus chose Donoussa to hide Ariadne and live his love with her, after her abandonment in Naxos by Theseus, so that the latter could not find her.
Ikaria:
According to mythology, Dionysus was “reborn” in Ikaria from the foot of his divine father, in a cave near Dracanos. Dionysus “blessed” the strong red wine of Ikaria, which is known for its beneficial properties. In fact, it is called “Pramneios wine” which means “it soothes the menos”, that is, it reduces anger.
Mykonos:
Is it a coincidence that today Mykonos is considered one of the liveliest and most active nightlife and entertainment destinations in the world? Probably not, since it is directly related to the “heady” god Dionysus. Specifically, the hero Mykonos, to whom the name of the island is attributed, had Dionysus as his grandfather, as his mother was Ryo, daughter of Dionysus. In fact, Mykonians from the 5th c. BC especially worshiped him, by celebrating festivals with sacrifices of boars, lambs and rams, while their coins bore his form.
Therefore, the above destinations are waiting for you for crazy and “alcoholic” experiences under the light of Dionysus!
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