Naxos
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Naxos
| Coords: 37°06.3′N, 25°22.35′E Chartlet: Chartlet Gallery: Photos |
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Background
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Naxos (Νάξος) with an area of 448 km2 is the largest of the Cyclades. It is a beautiful fertile island with 17,000 inhabitants, many of them Catholic. Its tallest peak, Mt. Zas, at 1004 m (3294 ft) is the highest in the Cyclades. The island has many nice villages and interior valleys with slopes terraced and planted with olive trees, citrus trees, and vineyards. Its western side has many long sand beaches. Unfortunately for the sailor, the island does not have many good anchorages.
According to the mythology, Theseus after slaying the Minotaur and escaping the labyrinth with Ariadne's help, fled Crete together with the princess. After they stopped in Naxos, while Ariadne slept, Theseus sailed away abandoning her. He continued to Athens but in his haste to leave he did not change the black sails as he had promised to his father Aegeas, the king of Athens. He was waiting for the return of the ship at Cape Sounio. When he saw the black sails he surmised that the Minotaur had devoured his son and he cast his body over the cliff into the sea which was named after him: Aegean. In the mean time, the god of wine and theater, Dionysus, landed in Naxos and fell in love with Ariadne. They got married and the god taught the Naxians how to make wine. Today Naxian wine is still very good.
Naxos was one of the main centers of Neolithic Cycladic civilization. The remains of the 3,000 BC settlement at Kastro and Grotta can still be seen. According to tradition the island was colonized by Ionians from Karia led by Apollo's son Naxos who gave the island its name. Naxos was one of the first islands to work in marble. The lions of Delos were made in Naxos during the archaic period. In 523 BC the tyrant of Naxos, Lygdamis, built a massive temple to Apollo whose lintel survives to this day. The Naxians call it Πορτάρα (Portara - large door). Naxos was sacked by the Persians in 490 BC and later became part of the Delian League. The Venetian Marco Sanudo captured the island's Byzantine castle (T'Apaliróu) in 1207 AD and declared himself Duke of Naxos. He and his successors ruled over Naxos and nearby islands until 1566 AD when most of the Cyclades feel to the Ottomans. The island became part of Greece in 1832.
Charts
BA 1041 Nisos Naxos To Vrakhoi Kaloyeroi
Imray-Tetra G33 Southern Cyclades
NIMA 54332 Nisoi Paros & Naxos
Greek 42 Andros to Chalki Island
Greek 423 Paros to Astypalia
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12; Tel. +30 22850 22 300
- Olympia Radio - No Signal
Danger: About 1.25 nM SSW of the harbor, Port Naxos, there is a reef. This reef is just submerged and in rough conditions it is hard to see. Also when the meltemi blows there are strong gusts and a a swell at the harbor's entrance.
Check-in facilities
See each Port/Stop
Ports and Popular Stops
Port NaxosGPS: 37°06.3′N, 25°22.35′E A more comfortable option is to anchor off under the break water but the swell and strong gusts make it quite uncomfortable. When the South wind blows the harbor is not tenable. The local boats all move to the bay E of Vakhos island. Marinas & Yacht ClubsNaxos MarinaGPS: 37°06.3′N, 25°22.5′E It is well protected from both N and S winds although with calms and S winds some of the prop-wash from the ferries make a temporary uncomfortable swell. Go alongside or stern-to or use thelayed moorings. Water and electricity on the quay. |  |
Anchorages
Apollonas
GPS: 37°11′N, 25°33.3′E
This anchorage is at NE tip of the island. A small breakwater provides some protection from the meltemi but some swell enters the anchorage. This is a good place to visit the unfinished colossal statue of Apollo up the hill. Anchor at 3 m and take a long line to the breakwater.
Prokopis Bay
GPS: 37°02.2′N, 25°21.8′E
The bay is on the lee of Cape Prokopis about 3 nM south of Port Naxos. Anchor at 6 m. Sandy bottom. The shelter from the meltemi is good but there is always some swell in the bay.
Kouroupa Bay
GPS: 36°58.2′N, 25°23.8′E
This bay is reputed to be very uncomfortable with the meltemi.
Kalando Bay
GPS: 36°56′N, 25°28.3′E
This a bay at the SE side of the island, just 1.5 nM NE of Cape Katomeri. It provides good shelter from the meltemi although it is gusty. Anchor near the head of the bay at 5 m. Sandy bottom.
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Tourism & things to do ashore
Within the town of Naxos or Chora you can visit the Castle and the and Glezos Tower. The area around the tower is very interesting with many Venetian houses still standing. Lower down is the old Jewish quarter, the Evraiki. The Archeological Museum of Naxos which houses works of art and objects of every day use dating from the Late Neolithic period to Early Christian times (5300 BC - 5th c. AD). These finds came to light in the excavations which have been continuing on the island since the Second World War. The museum is housed in an old building that used to be a school house. The renown Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis attended this school for two years. Another place worth visiting is the 11th century church of Panayia Pantanassa that once was part of a Byzantine monastery famous for it icon of the Virgin.
A short distance to the north of the town is Grotta with many caves. In the water one can see the remains of the Cycladic town.
A few kilometers south of the town near the airport at Livadi is the site of Iria is the sanctuary of Dionysus which dates back, to prehistoric times (1300 BC). The use of the site for religious purposes continues, uninterrupted, until today. Its importance is attested not only by splendid architectural finds, but also by the numerous votive offerings dedicated to the deity worshipped in the sanctuary during all its long history, but especially during the earlier periods.
Further south there is the 6th century BC Temple of Demeter at Sangri. Also, at Sangri there is the restored 8th century AD church of St. Mámas, the patron saint of thieves.
A good walk from Ano Sangri are the ruins of the T'Apaliróu Castle, the original Venetian stronghold.
In the center of the island to the north of Chalki is the most striking church of Naxos, the Monastery of Panayia Drossiani, built in the 5th century AD. It contains some excellent frescoes of the Pantocrator, the Virgin, and saints. The near-by Venetian town of Apiranthos is very picturesque and has a small folklore museum. Further north almost at the end of the island near the town of Apollonas is an ancient quarry with a 10 m unfinished kouros statue.
 The Castle of Naxos |
 The Sanctury of Dionysos at Iria |
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel - A mini-truck supplies the marina
- Water - At the quay in the marina
- Electricity - At the quay in the marina (220v)
Laundry
Mrs. Eleftheria, one road in from the commercial harbor.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- There are many stores in the town of Naxos
- Camping Gaz in the Vidalis supermarket
- Be sure to buy some of the local wine and maybe citron a local liqueur
Eateries
- In Naxos town, Popis Grill is a good value
- Lefteris Place in Apiranthos is considered the best in the island
Internet/WiFi
In cafés.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Many are available is the town.
Marine Stores & Facilities
?
Repairs
Naxos Marine tel. +30 22850 23 121, +30 6945 408 398 (GSM), and VHF ch 8.
Transportation
There are flights to Athens and ferries to Rafina and Piraeus.
References & Publications
See Greece.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum
External Links
- Naxos (Wikipedia)
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- October 2002 --Istioploos 12:41, 16 June 2008 (MDT)
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