Obverse: the design depicts the National Crest above a bunch of grapes. Encircling the design are the letters "The Hellenic Republic" (in Greek) and below the design, the denomination of the coin "50 EURO" (in Greek) is mentioned.
Reverse: the design depicts the gate of the temple of Apollo (known as Portara). At the right lower side of the design is the signature of Maria Andonatou, at the left side is the mint mark of the Hellenic Mint and at the bottom is the year "2021". Encircling the design is the lettering "PORTARA NAXOS" (in Greek).
About the coin: Portara, the trademark monument of Naxos, stands atop the islet of Palatia, connected today with Naxos by a causeway. This huge marble gate was the entrance to a monumental Ionian temple (to Dionysus or Apollo), 59 m. long and 28 m. wide. This ambitious project, left unfinished, was launched by Lygdamis, tyrant of Naxos, in the 6th century BC, in an attempt to rival similar buildings of the time, such as the Olympieion of Athens and the Heraeon of Samos. Portara, roughly 6 m. high and 3.5 m. wide is made of four blocks, each weighing 20 tonnes. A Christian church was built on the temple’s ruins, and its building blocks were reused by the Venetians for the castle of Naxos. However, Portara remains intact and continues to greet visitors arriving at Naxos.
