Naxos history

Roots and Legendary Past

The history of Naxos is rooted in deep antiquity. The first traces of settlements on the island date back to the Neolithic era (4th millennium BC), making it one of the oldest cradles of civilization in the Aegean Sea. According to mythology, these lands hold special significance: it is believed that the supreme god Zeus spent his childhood here, while the patronage of Dionysus, the god of the grape harvest, ensured the island's prosperity.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of Naxos into a dominant force in the Cycladic archipelago was predetermined by a unique combination of geographical and economic conditions:

• Natural Resources: Unlike many of its rocky and arid neighbors, Naxos possessed fertile lands and sources of fresh water, allowing for the development of agriculture.
• Mineral Extraction: The island was rich in deposits of high-quality white marble and emery (corundum). The export of these materials became the foundation of its early economic power.
• Strategic Location: Situated in the center of the Aegean Sea, the city controlled important maritime trade routes between mainland Greece and Asia Minor.

Early Cultural Flourishing

Already in the Early Bronze Age, Naxos became the center of the famous Cycladic Civilization. Local craftsmen created a recognizable style of marble idol figurines. The city reached its peak in the Archaic period (7th–6th centuries BC) thanks to its wealth and a strong naval fleet. It was during this time that monumental statues (kouroi) were created and the construction of the majestic Temple of Apollo began, of which the famous Portara — the island's landmark — remains to this day.

Major Historical Milestones

The journey of Naxos through the centuries has been filled with events that have left their mark on its architecture and traditions. Here are the key dates that shaped the appearance of the island:

• 3200–2000 BC — Flourishing of the Cycladic Civilization. Naxos acts as a crucial center for trade, navigation, and art in the Aegean Sea.
• 7th–6th centuries BC — The island's "Golden Age". Thanks to the export of marble and emery, Naxos becomes the wealthiest city-state in the region. The construction of the famous Portara begins during this time.
• 490 BC — The island finds itself at the epicenter of the Greco-Persian Wars and suffers destruction, which temporarily weakens its influence.
• 1207 — The beginning of the Venetian era. Marco Sanudo captures the island and establishes the Duchy of the Archipelago. The capital (Chora) is fortified with the powerful walls of the Kastro castle, which still towers over the city today.
• 1566 — Naxos comes under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, yet retains significant autonomy and a unique way of life, combining Orthodox and Catholic traditions.
• 1832 — The island officially becomes part of the modern Greek state.

Architectural and Economic Transformations

The development of Naxos is a story of transformation from an ancient marble mining center to a modern tourist resort that has preserved its agrarian independence. Key stages that shaped the current appearance and economy of the city include:

• Monumental Archaic Construction. In the 6th century BC, the city experienced a construction boom. The erection of the Temple of Apollo (Portara) and the creation of giant statues (kouroi) secured Naxos's status as the main marble processing center in the region, defining the architectural style of the Cyclades for centuries to come.
• Creation of the Fortified Kastro (13th Century). The arrival of the Venetians radically changed the urban plan. A fortress (Kastro) with towers and a Catholic cathedral was erected on the hill. This created a unique city structure: a fortified center for the nobility and outer quarters for the local population.
• Formation of the Burgos Quarter. Residential quarters (Burgos and Nio Chorio) grew around the castle walls, inhabited by Greek Orthodox residents. This stage gifted the city its famous labyrinths of narrow streets and covered passageways, which offered protection from winds and pirates.
• Emery Industry (19th–20th Centuries). Naxos held a monopoly on the extraction of high-quality emery. The export of this mineral provided the island with economic stability and funds for infrastructure development (roads and the port) even during crises when neighboring islands faced poverty.
• Agrarian Specialization. Unlike many dry islands in the Aegean Sea, Naxos developed irrigation and farming. The cultivation of the famous Naxian potato and livestock farming allowed the city to remain economically self-sufficient and formed a unique culinary culture.
• Port and Tourism Development (Late 20th Century). The expansion of the port zone and the modernization of the airport opened the island to mass tourism. This led to a reorientation of the economy from agriculture to the service sector and the restoration of historical buildings into hotels and restaurants.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Naxos represents a unique interweaving of eras, where ancient grandeur sits alongside Venetian fortifications and Cycladic simplicity. The urban structure of the capital, Chora, is clearly divided into zones reflecting the social hierarchy of past centuries: the coastal area for trade and the fortress towering above it for the nobility.

Major Architectural Eras and Styles

The city's appearance has been shaped over millennia, but the following periods left the most vivid mark:

• Ancient Archaic (7th–6th centuries BC). A period of monumental construction using local marble.
  Characteristics: Use of massive marble blocks, Ionic order, gigantism.
  Iconic Landmark: Portara — the huge marble gate of the unfinished Temple of Apollo, which has become the symbol of the island.
• Middle Ages and Renaissance (13th–16th centuries). The era of Venetian rule, introducing Western European traditions.
  Characteristics: Fortification architecture, narrow labyrinthine streets, wall-houses, arched passages, coats of arms of noble families on facades.
  Iconic Landmark: Kastro (The Fortress) — the historical district on the hill with the Glezos (Crispi) Tower and the Catholic Cathedral.
• Cycladic Vernacular (Folk Architecture). A style formed over centuries and dominant in residential development.
  Characteristics: Cubic building forms, whitewashed walls, flat roofs for rainwater collection, blue or green wooden shutters.
  Iconic District: Burgos — the quarter at the foot of the fortress, where the Greek Orthodox population historically resided.

Urban Planning Features

The layout of the city was dictated by the need for protection against pirates and winds. The Kastro district is built on the principle of a closed ring: the outer walls of the nobility's houses formed an impregnable defensive wall. Inside the fortress, the atmosphere of medieval Italy is preserved with Baroque elements in the interiors of Catholic churches, while the lower town (Burgos and Grotta) has retained the chaotic yet cozy structure of a traditional Greek settlement.

Distinguished Figures of Naxos

The history of the island is inextricably linked with the names of rulers, thinkers, and creators who not only defined the fate of Naxos but also left a significant mark on Greek and world culture.

• Lygdamis (6th century BC) — Ruler and Tyrant
  A key figure of the ancient "Golden Age" of Naxos. It was his ambitious vision that initiated the construction of the colossal Temple of Apollo, of which the famous Portara remains today. Under him, the island became a dominant naval power in the Cyclades.
• Marco Sanudo (c. 1153 – 1227) — Venetian Nobleman, First Duke of the Archipelago
  The man who forever changed the face of the city. In 1207, he captured the island and founded the Duchy of the Archipelago with its capital on Naxos. Sanudo built the famous Kastro castle in Chora, which became the center of Venetian power for centuries to come.
• Francesco I Crispo (died 1397) — Duke of the Archipelago
  Founder of the Crispo dynasty, which ruled the island for over a century and a half. His reign marked a new stage in strengthening the defense capabilities of Naxos and developing trade. The coats of arms of the Crispo family can still be seen on ancient buildings in the historical center.
• Saint Nicodemus the Hagiorite (1749 – 1809) — Theologian and Monk
  One of the most revered saints of the Greek Orthodox Church, born in a village on Naxos. He is the co-author of the "Philokalia" — a vital collection of spiritual texts. He is a patron of the island, and many local churches bear his name.
• Iakovos Kambanellis (1921 – 2011) — Playwright, Poet, and Writer
  A native of Naxos Chora, recognized as the patriarch of modern Greek theater. His work, including the famous book "Mauthausen", brought him worldwide fame. A museum dedicated to his life and work is open on the island.
• Manolis Glezos (1922 – 2020) — Public Figure, Writer, Resistance Hero
  A native of the mountain village of Apeiranthos. He became a symbol of the struggle for freedom during World War II (he tore down the Nazi flag from the Acropolis). He made a huge contribution to preserving the culture of his native island by founding geological and folklore museums in Apeiranthos.