Náxos is the capital of the island of Náxos. It lies in a fertile district in which vines, fruit and vegetables are grown, is picturesquely situated on the slopes of a rocky hill crowned by a ruined Venetian castle, the Kástro (1260; panoramic views), which now houses a school run by Ursuline nuns. Other features of interest in the town are a
number of dilapidated Venetian palaces (in particular the Barozzi and Sommaripa palaces), the Roman Catholic church of St Mary (13th C.) and the 15th century chapel of Áyios Antónios on the harbor. Excavations beside the principal Orthodox church have brought to light Hellenistic stoas and evidence of Cycladic culture.