Naxos
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Naxos
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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 1663 Nisos Paros to Nisos Amorgos
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 Naxos
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
See Ports/Stops
Anchorages
List details of all safe anchorages in the area.
Offshore Islands
List Islands
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Tourism & things to do ashore
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Marine Stores & Facilities
See each Port/Stop
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
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?
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