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| Portara, Naxos island |
Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades group of islands and one of the most important in the Aegean. It has been inhabited since the Neolithic era. The name Naxos comes from the founder of the island . It was called also Dionysia from the god Dionysos, as the island is fertile particularly favorable of the vine culture.
The soil of Naxos also offers two famous natural resources : marble and emery. Two wonderful materials for craftsmen. This white and brilliant marble , quarried even today, is the same which was used to carve the famous Cycladic statues and the Kouros (statues of young males). Ancient quarries have been found in many parts of the island.
The highest mountain of Naxos is Zas, from the name of Zeus and it is the highest of the Cyclades island (more than 1.000 meters)
The main town called also Hora is the port of the island and it is built over the ruins of the ancient town of Kallipolis. On the ancient Acropolis now stands the Venetian Castle fortified with twelve towers. Today only one is preserved . The medieval town was built in 1207 by Sanoudos, nephew of the Doge of Venice. Entering the harbor on the left is a small rocky peninsula which was dedicated to Dionysos. On the top stands a gigantic marble gate (5,95 m. in height and 5,65 m. in width). The Gate called also Portara was the entrance of the temple of Apollo and was built in 540 - 530 B.C. during the reign of the tyrant Lygdamis. During the Venetian rule many of its marble architectural remains were used to built the Castle.
According to the legend there where is the Gate (Portara), Theseus , the great hero, abandoned princess Ariadne on his way back from Crete after having killed the Minotaur. When the god of the wine, Dionysos, saw the sleeping Ariadne fell in love with her and made her his wife while Zeus made her immortal.
Near Portara is also the archaeological site of Grota. Actually the Greek Orthodox Cathedral stands on the ruins of the settlement of 1.600 B.C.
Very interesting is the Archaeological Museum which contains findings of the excavations.
The Villages
But Naxos is not only Hora. There are about 40 picturesque villages that one can visit. Those villages keep the spirit of the island alive as they preserved the legends, the history and the traditions.
There are more than 500 churches and 50 of them date back to the Byzantine era. Very important is the church of Virgin Mary Drosiani where are the oldest paintings (frescoes) in the Balkans.
Very interesting are the about 40 castles and towers from the Byzantine and Venetian periods scattered round the island.
South-East across the green fertile plain of Livadion are the marble quarries of Flerio where an unfinished colossal Kouros statue of the 7th cent. B.C lies on the ground. Another unfinished Kouros one can see at Melanes.
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| The Kouros of Apollonas, Naxos |
At Sangri, about 10 Km from Hora is the ancient Aulona where one can visit a lovely marble temple built for the deities of the fertility of the earth Demeter and Persephone. Its aim was to ensure the fertility of the island. The cult of this sanctuary started in the 8th cent. B.C.
One of the loveliest villages is Apeiranthos , 32 km from Hora. The village is built at the foot of Mount Fanari between two valleys rich in vineyards. The Zevgoli Tower from the 17th cent. stands at the entrance of the village. Outstanding that the streets are paved with white marble and so they call it the "marble village". There are picturesque tavernas where one can taste traditional finger-food and the famous Naxian Graviera cheese. The typical aperitif is the local Kitro, which is made by distilling the fragrant leaves of the kitron-tree.
About 6 km from Hora is the village Glimado with nice old houses and lovely tavernas. Between the village and the sea in Iria, are the ruins of the Sanctuary of Dionysos. The temple of the god was built in the 6th cent. B.C. The archaeological site is open to the public.
The best beaches are mainly spread in the southern part of the island and give the opportunity to practice water sports as diving, kitesurfing, windsurfing and sailing.
From Naxos one can enjoy wonderful day-cruises to other Cyclades islands as Santorini, Mykonos - Delos, Iraklia and Koufonissi and Amorgos
