ANCIENT, MODERN, SITES & SIGHTS
NAXOS – A PLACE ROOTED IN NEANDERTHAL HISTORY
Mankind’s history on Naxos dates back to the palaeolithic period and finds from Stelida quarry to the southwest of Chora indicate neanderthal activity spanning 200,000 years. The Cycladic civilisation was strong here and there are a range of artifacts dating back to the Neolithic era on show in the archaeological museum. You can’t help but feel deep roots here underlying the lapping of the waves along the shore.
THE GOLDEN AGE OF GREECE
Naxos has an amazing history and for many centuries from the Trojan War onward was an economic powerhouse in the Aegean. So there is plenty of ancient ‘stuff’ on show for the classical culture vulture. Temples to Apollo and Demeter are great photo opportunities as isa the Marble Gate of Portara. The Kouros statue in Melanes dates back to antiquity as does the one located at Apollonas. Add in Mycenean Tombs, and 8th century BCE Necropolis, a venerable aqueduct that crosses the island, and Neolithic marble quarries and Naxos has an incredible wealth of history.
NAXOS AT THE CROSSROAD OF THE MED
Being a large and important island through much of history Naxos harbour was a nexus for shipping through centuries of commerce. Understandably the islanders, under the control of the Venetian Empire, sought to fortify. The ‘Kastro’ (or castle) is in effect a medieval town that has been inhabited since 1200 and linked to a second fortification the ‘Borgo’. Come to Naxos and you’re bound to spend a day wandering around the Kastro – while here don’t miss the Archaeological Museum housed in a superb 17th century Venetian Palazzo.
VILLAGES AND CHURCHES
There are some wonderful churches and monasteries on Naxos, many dating back to the 6th century CE, and other more ancient antiquities if you turn your back on Chora and head into the hills and rural villages. Here you’ll find really authentic and unsophisticated Greek island life, family run tavernas with simple but delicious menus, and an altogether slower heartbeat. Sometimes we think life is about being on the move from place to place – but in Greece so often it’s about sitting quietly in the shade, with a cup of coffee or glass of ouzo, watching the world go by.
NATURAL BEAUTY
Amidst all the historical sites and sights it’s important not to forget that Naxos is a place of incredible natural beauty. The island rises to over 1,000m in height and Mount Zas (Zeus) and the hills and valleys offer some beautiful walking, especially in the spring and autumn. Mount Zas also has a cave where, according to which book on Greek Mythology you read, claims to be the place where Zeus was raised.
