Naxos

Naxos: A big island in the heart of the Aegean Sea, with imposing mountain massifs and fertile valleys, inhabited by cheerful people with a tradition in music and dance, and full of beauty that enchants visitors.

Floating gracefully upon the waves like a fertile leaf. Naxos with its long history, important monuments and vibrant tourist life, occupies a distinct place among the Cycladic islands, No matter how many days you spend on the island, there will always be more hidden niches to discover, beaches you haven’t seen, towers and fortresses you did not have time to visit, ancient temples whose secrets remain elusive. ..  

 “Big Sweet has this island, virtuous are the faces of people, piles are shaped by melons, peaches, figs and the sea is calm. I looked at the people - never this people have been frightened by earthquakes or by Turks, and their eyes did not burn out..Here freedom had extinguished the need for freedom, and life spread out as happy sleeping water. And if sometimes was discomposed, never rose tempest. Safety was the first gift of island that I felt as walking around Naxos." (N. Kazantzaki - "A Report to El.Greko"). In the heart of Cyclades, in the heart of Aegean, Naxos has, always, followed the destiny of adventure of residents of Aegean. This destiny is interwoven with travel, exchanges, new techniques and pioneering ideas, but also with wars and conflicts over the hegemony of sea.

Everything is big - imposing -, compared with the rest of Cyclades islands. The extent of the island is 435 sq. km and the length of coasts 91 km. The form is an ellipsoid and with a mountainous volume from North to South across the island. In the backbone of this ridge dominate Za Mountain (1004 m.) and Fanari (908 m.) the highest in Cyclades. The landscape of the island has many rotations. Plains succeed barren areas, marble mountains lead in deep shadowed glens, areas with vegetation host all white villages and sandy beaches meet the sea. The coastline of the island is almost straight and not forming large natural harbours, which affected the occupations of residents from the ancient years. In the island from end to end beautiful and clean coasts are situated next to small solitary coves. The ground of island is blessed and provides self-sufficiency to life of this place.

The rich aquifer of Naxos offers drinking water to wells and streams of the island. The fertile land produces citrus fruits, olives, fruits, vegetables, potatoes Naxos specials and amazing wine. Livestock-farming and the apiculture are particularly developed and offer exceptional quality meats, milk, cheeses and thyme honey. From geological aspect the subsoil presents great interest because of the presence of emery, of marble and granite that are exploitable products. The rocks constitute solidly foundations of Naxos and make the island stable against earthquake. In this imposing and big island of Cyclades, where mountainous volumes dominate, with the highest altitudes in the Aegean, - with the highest peak of Cyclades, the top of Za (1004 m.) - immediately gives a sense of security and "stable", in this turbulent marine state of Cyclades. Naxos itself is a whole universe.

Sights and Sightseeing
 A few of the innumerable sights you can visit are:

 The temple of Apollo - Portara
Portara, a huge marble gate and the single remaining part of an unfinished temple of Apollo of 530 BC, is Naxos’s emblem and main landmark. Standing on the islet of Palatia, at the entrance to Naxos harbor, it comprises four marble parts weighing about 20 tons each.

Byzantine Museum The Byzantine Museum is housed in one of Kastro’s most imposing buildings, a four-level tower with an incredible view of the harbor, close to the northwestern gate.

 

Archaeological Museum

This is undoubtedly a museum of special interest, with exhibits whispering stories going back thousands of years. It is housed in an old, five-storey mansion –the old School of Commerce- in Chora’s medieval citadel (Kastro) and displays finds from Naxos and the neighboring islands of Keros, Donoussa and Koufonissia dating from the late Neolithic Age (4th millennium) to the early Christian era (6th century).

Windmills Three picturesque windmills, on a small hill overlooking the entrance to the village, are the Tripodes landmark. Built in the 19th century, together with the windmill of Skarkos, at the exit of the village on the way to Plaka, and the ruined windmills on Stroumpoulas hill, they are a distinct form of Cycladic architecture and are intimately related to the history and economic development of the village.

Olive Mill at Demari Naxos’s first motorized olive mill is found at Demari, located between Melanes and Kourounochori. It was established by members of a local Catholic association and served producers in the area for several decades. There are plans to restore the building and turn it into an agricultural museum of the pre-industrial era. Some favourite Beaches: Agios Prokopios The most famous beach of Naxos, just 5km from Chora, has 2km in length. It is the third best beach in Greece and is concerned as one of the ten best beaches in Europe. It is a popular destination for lots of visitors. It is protected from the wind because it is situated in the southwest part of the island and the characteristic of the beach is the thin sand. Fine and white sand shapes to a row of small sand dunes. In the entrance of the beach overhangs the chapel of St.Prokopios, look far away the breathtaking view. The color of the clear crystal waters goes from blue to turquoise blue/azure and to aquamarine. A feast of colors Plaka The extension of Agia Anna is Plaka beach, one of the most beautiful and long beaches of Naxos. Endless fine sand with big sand dunes is laved by the blue, beautiful Aegean Sea. The long extent makes it easy for visitors to choose a nice place for sun or bath, looking opposite at glaronisia (islets).
Mikri Vigla In past times, the location was an observation post (vigla) of the locals for the pirates, who wanted to approach the island. At our days Vigla is one of the most beautiful coasts of Naxos and because of the perfect windy weather conditions is a destination for surfers. Two are the best beaches. ”Parthenos”, in the north side and “Sahara” in the south side, separated by a rocky shred of ground.   Kastraki Kastaki is the longest beach of Naxos. Lacy sandy beach with small rocky spots compose a beautiful landscape. There are lots of sand dunes with shadowy cedars. This beach is perfect for relaxing, fishing, swimming, water sports and walking next to sea. There are many ways of access, because of the long extend of the beach. When you see Kastraki from a big distance you picture it as a desert with lots of oasis. Agios Georgios Having as a point of departure Chora and as a direction the south part of the island, the first beach we find in our way is Agios Georgios. Agios Georgios is located near to Chora, just 3 minutes way, and is excellent organized in a tourist way. Very popular and overcrowded sandy beach with shallow waters, it is just perfect for families, having young children. Agia Anna It is one of the most famous beaches of Naxos and is the natural extension of Agios Prokopios beach. Cedars grow in the fine sand and offer their nice natural shadow to swimmers.  The clear, aquamarine waters make a beautiful characteristic Cycladic landscape. A nice picturesque wharf is situated. The tourists visit and explore Agia Anna, unable to resist the nature’s beauty. Alyko - Small Alyko - Kedros - Hawaii The small inlets located below the juniper tree forest at Alyko peninsula offer visitors gorgeous sandy beaches with turquoise waters. Surrounded by sand dunes with junipers, these inlets offer a view of southern Naxos’s ridges. They are quiet, exotic, and suitable for all.

 sourse: http://www.naxos.gr/en/

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