Tourist Outrage Spurs Security Upgrade at Ancient Naxos Portara

A viral photograph showing a tourist lifting an ancient marble slab at the Temple of Apollo (Portara) on Naxos has sparked widespread outrage among locals and renewed calls for enhanced security at the 2,500-year-old archaeological site. The incident, which depicts a shirtless tourist posing with a large piece of marble, has highlighted significant gaps in site protection, as the landmark is freely accessible without permanent security or ticketing. Local residents and authorities have expressed frustration over repeated disrespectful behavior by visitors, with calls for a permanent security presence and better site management to preserve the monument's historical significance. Naxos Mayor Dimitris Lianos confirmed that the Ministry of Culture was alerted and has since stationed a guard during peak hours, but the community advocates for a fully managed archaeological park with regular maintenance, entrance fees, and ongoing security. The situation reflects broader challenges faced by Greece’s archaeological sites, where tourism pressures strain conservation efforts and rely heavily on visitor respect, which recent events have shown cannot be guaranteed. The municipality and Ministry of Culture are engaged in discussions on how best to protect and upgrade the site.