Ancient Sanctuary Aliki

The sanctuary in Aliki was founded in the 7th century BC, coinciding with the colonization of Thasos island by the Parians. It served as a place of sacrifice and provided accommodation for worshippers. The complex comprised two adjacent, identically designed buildings of different sizes. Their western facades featured a portico with five Doric monolithic columns between pilasters. Inside the northern rooms, hearths were embedded in the floor. Such a sacrificial hearth in the southern building is dated to 500 BC and is considered the oldest Doric architectural element on the island. The northern building, originally with a primitive Ionic section, was replaced by a larger structure around 470–465 BC. A forecourt terrace dates back to around 530–525 BC. South of the sanctuary, two cult caves from the 3rd century BC, also dedicated to Apollo, were discovered. The cult site remained in use until the Christianization of the island. Excavations in 1887 by Th. Bent unearthed an Archaic Kouros statue, which is now housed in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. Inscriptions and graffiti attest to the sanctuary's importance up to the Late Roman period, including wishes for safe passage for marble transporters.

The ancient sanctuary of Aliki is located on the Aliki peninsula on the southeast coast of Thasos island in the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Northern Greece. It stands at an elevation of approximately 6 m above sea level.