• 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

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 Cyclades. Instead, the Sultan ceded the Duchy (Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, Thera/Santorini, Milos, Syros, Kea, Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos, Ios, Amorgos, Anafi and Astipalea) to his protégée Yasef Nassi, a Portuguese adventurer and banker. Nassi was a former Jew who had converted to Christianity in Venice and adopted the Portuguese name of João Miques/Micas. Upon his immigration to Constantinople from Venice, he converted back to Judaism and befriended the sultan’s son. Nassi never set foot in his dominion, instead he appointed an administrator of his trust in his place named Francesco Coronello.

The Ursuline School of Naxos, created during the Ottoman Occupation

As ruler Nassi proved to be a tyrant forcing the local populace to petition the Sultan to allow the Crispo family to rule instead, to no avail. After his death by stoning ordered by Sultan Murat, the Duchy ceased to exist and was annexed to Turkey. During the total period of Turkish occupation, few Turks settled on the islands, due to the fear of pirates and, very few inhabitants converted to Islam.

Through Coronello, Nassi maintained the old customs and Latin feudal laws but under Sultan Selim’s successor, Murat III (1574-1595), his power weakened and he finally met his death by stoning in 1579.

In 1580, the Sultan conceded particularly favorable privileges to the Greek islanders. The head tax remained but they now enjoyed complete religious freedom and were permitted to build churches as they wished. The laws and customs also remained, while foodstuffs, silk and wine were exempt of tax.

Sultan Ibrahim confirmed these privileges later in 1640 forming the basis of a constituent Charter for the Cyclades under Ottoman rule till 1648.

Special trading and other privileges to Western residents of the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century led to the appearance of the Jesuit and Franciscan monastic orders on Naxos, as well as the founding of an Ursuline monastery. As was the policy of the Catholic Church, all three orders founded schools on the island.

Naxians rebelled against their Latin and Turkish masters on several occasions. All rebellions failed.

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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.