• Flourishing civilizations since the 4th millennium BC

    with flourishing civilizations

    since the 4th millennium BC

  • Demeter's Temple

    impressive monuments

    that recently came to light

  • The museum at Apeiranthos village

    with finds

    of the early cycladic period

  • Faneromeni monastery

    monasteries and churches

    of historic and architectural importance

  • Development of modern Naxos

    bringing naxos

    to its glorious present

BYZANTINE TIMES

With the rise of Rome, after 41 BC, Naxos was part of the Roman province of the islands which was governed from Rhodes. The Romans often utilized the island as a place of exile. With the separation of the Roman Empire into the western and eastern Empires came the birth of the Byzantine era (330-1207).

The introduction of Christianity in the fourth century and its ensuing endorsement as the official religion of the empire by Constantine the Great on his deathbed, lead to the construction of many churches. These were built over ancient temples in an effort to erase the pagan religion and because the materials for their construction were already on-site as-it-were. During the early Christian era, Naxos religious affairs were administered from Rhodes.

History of Naxos, the Byzantine Times

The Byzantines (Eastern Roman Empire) also built a series of fortifications on the island. One such example is built atop a low but inaccessible hill on the island's northern end. It is the Kalogeros Kastro (Monks Castle). Another, the Apano Kastro (Upper Castle) is located west of the Tragea plain. And yet another, the Apalirou Castle is located in central Naxos, built atop a sheer slope; the island's capital during the Byzantine era, was positioned at its foothills to have access to arable land.

Today, there are more than 500 churches on the island. The fortified monastery of Fotodotis Christos (Lightgiving Christ) on the outskirts of Danakos, Panagia Drosiani near Moni and Panagia Protothroni near Halki are important monuments of the Early Christian period.

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The highlights of Naxos

The beaches of Naxos

The secluding beaches of Naxos

More than 30 beaches !!!

Yes, it is true. The island of Naxos offers the greatest variety of beaches you could ever hope to find & endless opportunities for explorations.

The villages of Naxos

The traditional villages of Naxos

Traditional or modern Naxos villages, inhabited or abandoned, one thing is for sure, you won't ever get bored.

The various activities

Naxos activities

A wide variety of activities during your holiday

Taste new experiences during your holiday on Naxos. You may enjoy surfing, walking, snorkelling, sailing, horseback riding, cooking and so many more ...

Family holidays on Naxos

Naxos holidays

Naxos is mostly a family destination. It is ideal for families with small children.

Top Naxos Beaches Photos

The best beaches of Naxos
Naxos.net friends have selected the most wonderful photos of Naxos beaches. Have fun ...
The historical periods of Naxos
Prehistoric times on Naxos
Naxos goes a long way back, with various civilizations flourishing on the island since the 4th millennium BC and it is speculated that the first inhabitants ...
The classical period of history of Naxos
Naxos’ importance and influence declined in the Classical age as did for most of the islands. In the face of the Persian invasion in 490 BC, Naxians adopted ...
Byzantine times on Naxos
With the rise of Rome, after 41 BC, Naxos was part of the Roman province of the islands which was governed from Rhodes. The Romans often utilized the island ...
Venetian history of Naxos
Venetian rule of Naxos took place between 1207 and 1537. Around 1207 AD, the Venetian Marco Sanudo landed with his men at Agiassos and after a siege ...
The history of Naxos during Ottoman occupation
Turkish rule of Naxos lasted from 1537 to 1829 when Naxos joined the modern Greek state. The Turks chose not to colonize Naxos and the other ...
The history of Naxos during modern times
True to feudal society, Naxian society was divided into three classes: the feudal lords and “masters” who lived in mansions, the peasants ...

the best of naxos

What's new (or old) on Naxos, from our blog articles.