Naxos
The biggest and most fertile island of the Cyclades
Naxos an eternity with that phrase a French traveler of the 19th century gave the impression of the biggest and most fertile island of the Cyclades.
In the central position of the island cluster, she lies at the heart of history an culture, with five thousand years of continuous habitation.
Myths and legends connect Naxos with the Athenian king Theseus, when he abandoned Ariadne to find refuge in the arms of Dionysus of the islet of Palatia to become a couple whose love is witnessed on ancient inscriptions and coins.
The two archaeological museums on the island at Chora and Aperanthou are adorned with objects of art such us exquisite Cycladic figurines, samples of a civilization that flourished on the island during 4th and 3rd millennium BC.
Lying for centuries are the places of manufacture, ancient quarries giant Kouros Melanon and Apollo to remind us, with the temples of Demeter Sagri, the temple of Dionysus at Iria and the temple of Apollo in the port of Chora, of the island during the Archaic and Classical periods.
The religious sentiment of the residents is refaced by the hundreds of Byzantine churches, monasteries and frescoes dating from the 6th century A.D. scattered throughout the island, particularly in the basin of Tragea which is also full of trees.
However, it is the Venetian period which is the Venetian period which is indelibly stamped on the island.
The visitor to the castle of Chora is led to another time, waking through narrow streets past the houses of dukes, consulates of European kingdoms, a catholic church and monastery and French school.
Naxos is also an island particularly gifted by nature. Endless golden beaches and turquoise waters in the south, alternate with picture save deserted coves in the north. Large alive groves and valleys where citrus fruits and vegetables grow are in the hinter land. Cedars of the Lebanon and sand lilies grow in coastal areas. Bougainvillea and other flowers in the town give color to the island. There are wetlands and the highest mountain of the Cyclades (Zas 1004m)
Two stones formulate the landscape of Naxos. The first, white marble, was the raw material for most of the monuments of Delos and many tributes to the Acropolis and Delphi.
The second, emery, is an industrial mineral that for decades has provided economic power and security for the Greek state for loans.
Perched on hills and in valleys are approximately 30 villages and settlements. They are built in the traditional Cycladic style of architecture and preserve authentic folk culture with events and festivals held each summer.