A nice video from Greece

A nice video of Aegean Airlines

Naxos island, Greece

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.

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   

8 th Medieval Festival of Rhodes, 26 - 29/06/14

The 8th Medieval Rose Festival will take place from 26 to 29 June 2014 at the Medieval Town of Rhodes (one of UNESCO’s World Heritage monuments). The events and re-enactments that the Medieval Rose organizes re-animate the Byzantine and Medieval history of the island.

It all started in July 2004, as an idea. A dream of the medieval town of Rhodes turning back in time, to the epoch when the knights of St. John occupied the island. A time supposedly covered with stories of romance and great legends as well as glorious battles and heroic achievements. In 2005 was founded the Medieval Rose , a non-governmental and not-for-profit cultural organisation , in order to establish, organise and run every year the Medieval Festival οf Rhodes during which the history, the traditions and legends of Medieval Rhodes are recreated through happenings, workshops and games. 

There is a variety of relevant to the epoch events taking place during the  festival, such as: stage theater and street theater,  puppet theater, story telling, team games (e.g. the popular Rhodes' Dragon's Quest), chess games, archery, horseback riding, animation and jugglers, re-enactments, local customs, sword fighting, traditional bazaars, pageants, mystery tours, workshops on medieval arts & crafts, medieval pothouses etc. Even animals (e.g. horses, chickens, sheep etc) can be found around the streets where the events take place as it could be happening in any medieval town.

The Medieval Festival seems like an interactive film production, where spectators become part of it, walk through it and experience the journey in time ...

Together with the recreative events, there are several others related to the festival, like: photo exhibitions, conventions, themed guided tours, screenings, book presentations, school activities etc

You can support the Medieval Festival of Rhodes by  sharing the promo video link  or the campaign link https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/medieval-rose-festival

A journey through the Middle Ages

A wandering through the mysterious streets of the Medieval Town, at a time when the Alchemists were seeking the Mandrake and the Fairies were dancing around the fountains, enchanting passers-by.

At times, when romantic love was growing in the shadow of a dreadful war and endless battles.

And somewhere there, hidden in the swamp, a terrible Dragon, mangling children and adults.

At the Medieval Markets the best sugar of the world, as well as spices, perfumes, textiles, pottery, soap and music, lots of music...

...And there! The Order of the Knights crosses through the crowded public squares, full of scholars, magicians, artisans, merchants and craftsmen from all over the world!

The Walls, an embrace of stone around a multi-national feast!

Tradition, History & Myth,
The Legend of Rhodes
Ιn a Festival!

2nd Traditional Yachts Boat Show, news from Greece

The 2nd Traditional Yachts Boat Show will be hosted in the picturesque town of Methana  from 30/05 up to 01/06/14 with the collaboration of the Traditional Boats Association of Greece , the Hellenic Professional Yacht Owners Association,  the Town Administration Authority  and  the Greek National Tourism Organization.

Visitors will have the opportunity to visit and admire splendid traditional wooden boats, professional and private yachts as well as fishing boats

For more info:  www.traditionalboatshow.gr

Piraeus will host the European Maritime Day 2015, news from Greece

The European Maritime Day (EMD), celebrated on 20 May every year since 2008, is an important maritime event that seeks to raise European citizens' awareness of the seas and their importance. This day is celebrated in all Member States, but specially in the port city of the honored country.
After Brussels / Belgium (2008), Rome / Italy (009), Gijon / Spain (2010), Gdansk / Poland (2011), Gothenburg / Sweden (2012), Valetta / Malta (2013) and Bremen / Germany (2014), it's the turn of Greece to undertake the organisation of the EMD.
During the second day of the events of this year's European Maritime Day that took place in the city of Bremen and the port Bremerhaven, the European Commission officially announced that Piraeus will host the European Maritime Day in May 2015.
The host cities for the future European Maritime Days will be Turku / Finland (2016), Poole / United Kingdom (2017), Burgas / Bulgaria (2018) and Lisbon / Portugal (2019)

Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Famous Greek archaeological sites

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Greece

On the South-West slope of the Acropolis, just few meters from the theatre of Dionysos was built in 161 B.C. the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. 

There is a Stoa (=Portico) called "Stoa of Eumenes" which joined the theatre to the Odeon. This Stoa which had an outer Doric colonnade with 64 columns was built by Eumenes II , the king of Pergamon (197-159 BC). It was used as a shelter and promenade for the spectators. The Portico communicated with the Odeon by two doors. 

The Odeon was built by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife Amnia Rhegilla in 161 BC and served for musical festivals. Herodes Atticus was an aristocrat benefactor . He was also a philosopher and orator. 

In the ancient years this magnificent concert-hall was covered with a roof which was supported by huge beams made by the very expensive Lebanese cedar.

The massive facade stands to the second story and in places to the third. Entrance is made to either side, leading to the parodoi. The wall of the stage has three doors and eight niches where they had statues.

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Greece

The diameter of the semi-circular cavea, in Greek "koilon" is 86 m. It was hewn out of the rock and it is divided into two sectors (diazoma). Each diazoma had 32 rows of seats. The orchestra is paved with marble. The length  of the scene ("skini" ) is 35 m. and it is one meter higher from the orchestra. The seating capacity is about 6.000 spectators.

The scene , the orchestra and the cavea of Herodion, Greece

   

The destruction of the theatre was done in 267 AD by the Eruls. As the seating was entirely destroyed it was restored in 1950-961 in Pentelic marble. 

Nowadays the Odeon hosts the Athens Festival which runs every Summer from May through October. The Festival contains Greek and International performances.

Among the artists who have performed in the Odeon were Maria Callas, Frank Sinatra, Nana Mouskouri, Pavarotti, the Bolshoi Ballets, Maurice Bejart, Liza Minelli, Diana Ross and many others.

Under the Acropolis and under the stars the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a unique place to experience a theatre performance. 

The facade of Herodion, Greece

 written by: Sophia Kokkinou , archaeologist, guide, writer

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Second Best Theatre in the World

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Greece

The Herodion or the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is the second best theatre in the world to watch live performances according to the Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail. The newspaper defines the Odeon as the best example of an authentic Greek Theatre, the perfect location where modern music meets with the ancient atmosphere and the ideal place for all artists. 

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus was also at the top of a list of the world's most spectacular theatres published in March by the online newspaper of The Telegraph  .