Naxos is the largest and most diverse island of the Cyclades, a group of islands in the Aegean Sea. It has a rich history that spans from the ancient times to the present day, and a unique culture that blends elements of Greek, Venetian and Byzantine influences. Naxos is also blessed with natural beauty, boasting stunning beaches, lush valleys, rugged mountains and picturesque villages.
But what makes Naxos stand out among other Greek islands is its remarkable preservation of its traditional architecture and heritage. Despite the modern development and tourism, Naxos has managed to retain its authentic character and charm, thanks to the efforts of its local people and authorities. In this blog post, we will explore how Naxos achieved this feat, and what are some of the landmarks and monuments that you can visit in the villages and towns of this amazing island.
The Venetian Architecture of Naxos
One of the most distinctive features of Naxos is its Venetian architecture, which dates back to the 13th century, when the island was conquered by Marco Sanudo, a nobleman from Venice. He established the Duchy of Naxos, which ruled over most of the Cyclades until the 16th century. The Venetians built impressive castles, towers, mansions and churches, which reflected their power and wealth. They also introduced feudalism, dividing the land among their nobles, who lived in fortified settlements called
chora
.
The most prominent example of Venetian architecture is the Castle of Naxos, also known as Kastro, which dominates the hill above the main town (also called Chora). The castle was built by Marco Sanudo himself in 1207, on the site of an ancient acropolis. It was surrounded by high walls and had three gates: Paraporti, Trani Porta and Glezos Tower. Inside the castle, there were several palaces, churches, monasteries and houses belonging to the noble families. Today, you can still admire some of these buildings, such as the Catholic Cathedral of Sanudo (built in 1220), the Ursuline School (built in 1739), the Archaeological Museum (housed in a former Jesuit school), and the Venetian Museum (housed in a former mansion). You can also enjoy a panoramic view of the town and the sea from the castle’s terrace.
Another impressive Venetian castle is located near Potamia village, in the central part of Naxos. It is called Epano Kastro (Upper Castle), and it was also built by Marco Sanudo in 1207. It was originally his residence, before he moved to the Castle of Naxos. Epano Kastro was fortified since ancient times, but most of its remnants are from the Venetian period. It has a triangular shape and a tower at each corner. It also has a chapel dedicated to Agios Ioannis Prodromos (St. John the Baptist), which contains some frescoes from the 13th century.
Naxos is also home to many Venetian towers, which were built by the nobles as defensive structures and residences. Some of them are still standing today, while others are in ruins. Some of the most notable ones are:
- Bazeos Tower: Located near Sangri village, this tower was built in 1600 by Francesco Bazeo Crispi, a descendant of Marco Sanudo. It has four floors and a dome-shaped roof. It was used as a monastery until 1834, when it was abandoned. Today, it hosts cultural events and exhibitions.
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Barozzi Tower: Located near Filoti village, this tower was built in 1631 by Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola,
a famous Italian architect who also designed St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It has three floors and a square shape. It was used as a residence until 1821, when it was burned by the Turks during the Greek War of Independence. -
Belonia Tower: Located near Galanado village, this tower was built in 1650 by Giovanni Belonia Crispi,
a nephew of Francesco Bazeo Crispi. It has four floors and an octagonal shape. It was used as a residence until 1821, when it was also burned by the Turks. Today, it is restored and open to the public. - Markopolitis Tower: Located near Apiranthos village, this tower was built in 1610 by Giovanni Markopolitis Crispi, a cousin of Francesco Bazeo Crispi. It has three floors and a rectangular shape. It was used as a residence until 1821, when it was also burned by the Turks. Today, it is in ruins.
Besides the castles and towers, Naxos also has many mansions and traditional houses that showcase the Venetian style. The mansions are large and luxurious buildings that belonged to the noble families. They have high ceilings, spacious rooms, elegant decoration and coat of arms on their facades. Some of them are located inside the Castle of Naxos, while others are scattered around the island. Some of the most famous ones are:
- Della Rocca Barozzi Mansion: Located inside the Castle of Naxos, this mansion was built in 1700 by Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola. It has two floors and a courtyard. It was used as a residence until 1974, when it was donated to the Greek state. Today, it houses the Venetian Museum, which displays furniture, paintings, costumes and other items from the Venetian period.
- Frangopoulos Mansion: Located inside the Castle of Naxos, this mansion was built in 1627 by Francesco Frangopoulos Crispi, a descendant of Marco Sanudo. It has two floors and a courtyard. It was used as a residence until 1974, when it was also donated to the Greek state. Today, it houses the Folklore Museum, which displays tools, utensils, textiles and other items from the traditional life of Naxos.
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Glezos Mansion: Located outside the Castle of Naxos, this mansion was built in 1700 by Nikolaos Glezos Crispi,
a descendant of Marco Sanudo. It has two floors and a garden. It was used as a residence until 1974, when it was also donated to the Greek state. Today, it houses the Byzantine Museum, which displays icons, manuscripts, coins and other items from the Byzantine period. -
Kokkos Mansion: Located near Chalki village, this mansion was built in 1750 by Nikolaos Kokkos Crispi,
a descendant of Marco Sanudo. It has two floors and a courtyard. It was used as a residence until 1974, when it was also donated to the Greek state. Today, it houses the Distillery Museum, which displays equipment and products from the local production of
kitron
, a liqueur made from citrus fruits.
The traditional houses are smaller and simpler buildings that belonged to the common people. They have white walls, blue doors and windows, flat roofs and wooden balconies. They are built close to each other along narrow alleys and streets. They reflect the Cycladic style, which is influenced by the climate and geography of the islands. The traditional houses can be found in many villages and towns of Naxos, such as Chora (the main town), Apiranthos (a mountainous village), Halki (a former commercial center), Filoti (a picturesque village) and Apollonas (a seaside village).
The Ancient Architecture of Naxos
Naxos has a long and rich history that goes back to the ancient times. The island was inhabited since the Neolithic period (around 4000 BC), and became one of the most important centers of the Cycladic civilization (around 3000-2000 BC). The island flourished during the Archaic period (around 700-480 BC), when it became a powerful maritime state with colonies in Asia Minor and Sicily. The island declined during the Classical period (around 480-323 BC), when it was conquered by the Persians, Athenians and Macedonians. The island revived during the Hellenistic period (around 323-31 BC), when it became part of
the Ptolemaic kingdom based in Egypt. The island declined again during the Roman period (around 31 BC-395 AD), when it became a province of Rome.
During these periods, Naxos produced many remarkable monuments and artworks that testify to its cultural and artistic achievements. Some of them are still visible today, while others are preserved in museums or lost forever. Some of the most notable ones are:
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Portara: This is the most famous landmark of Naxos and its trademark. It is located on an islet near Chora,
and it is visible from afar. Portara
