Naxos

Naxos, the largest and most fertile of the Cycladic islands, lies almost at the centre of the Aegean. Meadows running down to vast beaches, cliffs sinking suddenly into the sea, rocky mountains side-by-side with fertile valleys, abundant springs and streams these are just some of the features of a natural environment marked for its variety. The coastline of Naxos is abrupt on the south side and more sheltered to the west, with numerous inlets and sandy beaches.

The island is first heard of in the myths and then mentioned throughout every period of history, though it was at the peak of its glory during the period of the Cycladic civilisation.

The huge gate of an ancient temple, which we see on the hill in the left as we come in the harbor, is the trade mark of Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades.

The natives call the gate Portara.Actually this gate is the entrance to the temple of Apollos'. It's a beautiful island with a great variety of sceneries.

Many byzantine churches, the oldest in Greece, picturesque towers and the two Kouros remain to show us the glory that the island once had.

History

According to mythology, Bakhos, the God of Wine, was living in Naxos.
Here Theseas, returning from Crete, abandoned Ariadne, which helped him kill the Minotaur. Ariadne married Bakhos there.
The golden age of the island was the 7th and 6th century B.C. It was then when Naxos became dominant of most Cyclades.
At that time Naxos developed its trade and arts, especially sculpture.
Exhibits of the arts developed in Naxos can be seen in Delfi, the famous lions in Delos and elsewhere.

Anchorages

Naxos: Good shelter; Fuel in town; Water on quay; Night life

Apollonia: Poor shelter; Anchored off; No fuel; Water in town; Taverns

Agios Ioannis: Poor shelter; Anchored off; No fuel; Water in town; Taverns