House of Dionysus
House of Dionysus
4.5
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These crumbling ruins of an ancient Greek dwelling still contain some fairly well-preserved mosaics.
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4.5
77 reviews
Excellent
53
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23
Average
1
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0
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0
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,272 contributions
June 2023 • Couples
The House of Dionysus is one of the must-see sites at Delos. Built in the late 2nd century BC, it is one of several ancient houses clustered together in the area known as the theatre district and is located on your right, just past the theatre.
This is one of the only houses at Delos where you can walk through to the central courtyard.
The centrepiece is the large floor mosaic that depicts Dionysus, the god of wine and theatre, as a winged spirit riding on a tiger. Parts of the mosaic are badly deteriorated or missing but both Dionysus’ face and the tiger’s face are vivid and dramatic. We could see the tiger’s bulging eyes and the brightly coloured wreath of vines and grapes around it’s broad neck.
Huge marble columns surround the mosaic is located.
DELOS NOTES:
You should allow at least a couple of hours to fully explore the island. Be aware that there is no shade and few facilities. You’ll need to bring your own snacks and water.Currently the museum is closed until 2024 and until it re-opens, the only toilets are by the entrance gate.
When we were there, they had free maps but only in Greek so it’s helpful to have a good guide-book or download a self-guided tour beforehand.
This is one of the only houses at Delos where you can walk through to the central courtyard.
The centrepiece is the large floor mosaic that depicts Dionysus, the god of wine and theatre, as a winged spirit riding on a tiger. Parts of the mosaic are badly deteriorated or missing but both Dionysus’ face and the tiger’s face are vivid and dramatic. We could see the tiger’s bulging eyes and the brightly coloured wreath of vines and grapes around it’s broad neck.
Huge marble columns surround the mosaic is located.
DELOS NOTES:
You should allow at least a couple of hours to fully explore the island. Be aware that there is no shade and few facilities. You’ll need to bring your own snacks and water.Currently the museum is closed until 2024 and until it re-opens, the only toilets are by the entrance gate.
When we were there, they had free maps but only in Greek so it’s helpful to have a good guide-book or download a self-guided tour beforehand.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
redeco
Warren, MA9,333 contributions
Sept 2011 • Friends
One of the exciting things about the ruins at Delos are the plentiful remains of domestic architecture. Floor plans are clearly visible and walls are nearly complete in many cases. This is so in the House of Dionysus, named for the splendid mosaic from the atrium depicting Dionysus seated on a Tiger. This mosaic is now in the museum on the site.
Visitors enter through a doorway on the street leading to the theater. Immediately upon entering, you can see to the right the remains of a stone staircase to the second floor. Our guide told us that much of the staircase was of wood, but enough of the stone support for the stairs remains to give a clear understanding of how the stairway curved upwards.
The atrium was two stories high with splendid marble columns in the Doric style. A large room with nearly complete walls is located south of the peristyle courtyard. The walls of this room were originally coated with mortar and then plaster that was painted. There are numerous carvings in this house representing ships and birds. The significance is unknown, though some surmise an association with sailors and the sea.
It's easy to imagine this space with wall paintings, ceilings, and a second floor that mirrors the floor plan of the first. The columns that supported the roof are still in place making this a very exciting house to visit.
Visitors enter through a doorway on the street leading to the theater. Immediately upon entering, you can see to the right the remains of a stone staircase to the second floor. Our guide told us that much of the staircase was of wood, but enough of the stone support for the stairs remains to give a clear understanding of how the stairway curved upwards.
The atrium was two stories high with splendid marble columns in the Doric style. A large room with nearly complete walls is located south of the peristyle courtyard. The walls of this room were originally coated with mortar and then plaster that was painted. There are numerous carvings in this house representing ships and birds. The significance is unknown, though some surmise an association with sailors and the sea.
It's easy to imagine this space with wall paintings, ceilings, and a second floor that mirrors the floor plan of the first. The columns that supported the roof are still in place making this a very exciting house to visit.
Written 3 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff L
Elgin, IL130 contributions
June 2019 • Friends
This was one of the more interesting spots in Delos. The mosaic tile floor is in incredible condition, especially since the site is not covered and is exposed to the elements. Combine that with the marble columns and stacked stone walls and you have a very nice piece of Greek history to study and enjoy. This is one of many identified subsections of the sacred Delos Island.
Written 1 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
san572
New Delhi, India78 contributions
July 2018 • Friends
one of well preserved and reconstructed house at archeological site of delos. It gives us little bit of idea about the life at that time.
Written 18 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA16,976 contributions
Sept 2021
One of the major attractions in the park. Beautiful mosaics. Some of the frescos are still visible.
Take a look at the “bathroom” on the way out.
Take a look at the “bathroom” on the way out.
Written 23 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belgo96
Brisbane, Australia3,446 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
This is one of the stand-out buildings in the ruins of Delos. The columns still stand today and there is a beautifully preserved floor mosaic with Dionyosus on a tiger. Guides on the island will provide you with their interpretation of the history but it is plain it was a mansion belonging to a wealthy resident because of its scale and grandness and the floor decoration.
Written 18 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kwagmeister
Newburgh, IN1,639 contributions
June 2016 • Family
This mansion is incredibly well preserved for its ancient age. Excavators took pains to carefully uncover the soaring columns in the home's center atrium, and the mosaic floor is incredible. Our guide explained that the centerpiece picture suggests that the owner was a wealthy merchant, because his wine goblet is spilled on the ground, which could mean that he had plenty of money to enjoy the finer things in life. As our guide said, no one is present to argue differently.
This home had its own cistern to collect rainwater and store it for the drier months. It also had indoor plumbing and a private bathroom. The steps to the second floor are still visible today, though the second level caved in over time. Niches in the walls of this home and as well throughout the city would have contained oil lamps for lighting.
Remarkable home worth walking about as you tour the ancient city.
This home had its own cistern to collect rainwater and store it for the drier months. It also had indoor plumbing and a private bathroom. The steps to the second floor are still visible today, though the second level caved in over time. Niches in the walls of this home and as well throughout the city would have contained oil lamps for lighting.
Remarkable home worth walking about as you tour the ancient city.
Written 11 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
clearbrook6
USA102 contributions
July 2014 • Family
Just Go There! If you're into Greek Mythology/History; it's an amazing journey for adults & especially children. Walking through the history is life changing for all.
Written 12 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie S
York, PA772 contributions
June 2014 • Couples
Part of the tour to the Ancient Greek island of Delos, is the visit to the house of Dionysis. 7-8 Huge Greek columns are majestic and the mosaic in the middle of the largest room is typical (we're told) of artwork during that ancient time.
Mosaics were on the floor instead of carpet, to function as art.
10 minute visit at most
Mosaics were on the floor instead of carpet, to function as art.
10 minute visit at most
Written 3 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nov 2012 • Couples
All ruins at DELOS are very nice.This is one of the bigger houses at the sites and is very nice to see.
Written 6 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, is this open through January and/ or February?
Thanks!
Written 12 January 2024
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