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.
There is an interesting museum with archeological material from all periods of the island's history, including a fine collection of stone vessels and Cycladic idols of the third millennium B.C., pottery of the Geometric, Archaic and later periods, statues and capitals. In the courtyard are stones carved with Venetian coats of arms and a large mosaic of Europa and the bull.
Address: Naxos Archeological Museum, Palace of Sanoudo, Naxos , Greece
Hours:
April 1 to October 31: 8:30am-3pm; Closed: Mon
November 1 to March 31: 8:30am-3pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Greek National Day (March 25), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian, Good Friday - Christian
Tips: Admission is free on Sundays between November and March.
Náxos Town occupies the site of the ancient capital of the island, the main visible relics of which are a 6m/20ft high marble doorway and the foundations of an unfinished temple of Apollo or Dionysos (sixth century B.C.) on the rocky islet of Sto Paláti, which is connected with the main island by a stone causeway.
Read More
Read Less
