Today about 30 towers are preserved in the countryside of the island. They have been built by feudal Venetians in particular (and other Latin nobles) who used them as a base to exploit the real estate of the field they held. Their defensive line included battlements, murder holes, turrets, huge doors and small windows to protect the defenders. They were made of stone and had many floors and thick walls.
Bazeos Tower
It is located right outside Sangri and stands out thanks to its architecture and excellent restoration it has undergone. Every summer it hosts Naxos Festival, one of the most significant cultural events of Cyclades.
Fortified with tall walls, turrets and small windows, the tower was built around 1600 but underwent some changes over the time to take its current form in 1789. It first housed the monastery of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross), which was abandoned at the beginning of the 19th century and in 1834 it became a property of the newly founded Greek state. For many years potters had their workshops in this tower. At the end of the 19th century, the property was sold to Bazeos or Bassegio family, members of which are mainly found in Italy and Brazil. Its owner, Georgios Marios Bazeos, is the last descendant in Greece and vice-president of “Aion” association.
Tower of Ypsili
Starting the route from Chora to Apollonas, you will see the tower of Ypsili, or tower of Ypsilotera, or monastery of Ypsilotera, which is open to visitors. It was once a fortified monastery; the katholikon and the impressive frescoe, the towers, the murder holes etc are still preserved. It belonged to Kokkos family (there is an inscription “Iakovos Kokkos 1600”). The monastery was a revolution centre at the time of Naxos people uprisings against the oppression of Latin nobles.
Tower of Belonia
Leaving the town and taking the main road to Galanado (4km away from Chora) and crossing Livadia of Naxos, you will pass by the well-preserved tower of Belonia which was built before 1610. In its interior there is the chapel of Agios Ioannis, both catholic and orthodox, which is rare to see.
Other towers:
KRISPI-GLEZOS TOWER (Chora)
DELLA ROCCA BAROZZI TOWER (Chora)
BAROZZI TOWER IN CHALKI
MAKROPOLITIS TOWER IN KERAMI
TOWER OF MPARDANI AND ZEVGOLI IN APEIRANTHOS
Source: aegeanislands.gr
Customs and Festivals of Naxos
Music, dancing with traditional costumes, songs, arts, feasts and festivals are part of the Naxian daily life. The island is famous all over Greece for its rich musical tradition and there are important composers/musicians from Naxos, including Konitopouleoi, Fyrogenides, Stamatonanolides, Vrontogiorgides, Koukoularides, Hatzopouloi. “Kotsakia” (folk poems of two or eight verses that were created... Read more
The mount and cave of Zas
This is the highest peak of Naxos, usually covered with clouds and named Myti of Za (Nose of Zeus). It has namely the name of Zeus and maybe this was also its name in the antiquity, as they used to worship the father of gods on this very mountain. The archaic inscription carved on a rock in the path that leads to the top of the mountain says “Oros Dios Milosiou” (Mountain of Zeus of Milon), which... Read more
Naxos wetlands
The small wetlands, salt marshes and dunes of Naxos are a haven for birds, fish and reptiles. The most important wetland is that of Alyki which comprises a large lake southwest of the airport runway. It is the largest salt lake in the Cyclades and retains enough water. The vegetation includes reeds, aquatic plants and clumps of cedar trees. 166 bird species have been observed and it is enlisted in the protected... Read more
Apaliros castle
This is a very important castle, built on a steep hill in the fields of Sangri and Agiassos. According to researchers, it took its name after the abundant “apaliries”, a kind of bush that sprouts there. It was erected in the first years of the Byzantine era, though probably there was already a fortification in the antiquity, because part of the wall is prehistoric. It was abandoned in the 13th... Read more
Naxos towers
Today about 30 towers are preserved in the countryside of the island. They have been built by feudal Venetians in particular (and other Latin nobles) who used them as a base to exploit the real estate of the field they held. Their defensive line included battlements, murder holes, turrets, huge doors and small windows to protect the defenders. They were made of stone and had many floors and thick walls. Bazeos... Read more
Gardoumia
Gardoumia is a special meze from lamb intestines that is made on the island of Naxos, just like in Crete; besides, the strong connections between the two islands are well-known. Meze holds a special place in the Greek culinary tradition and could be described as an appetizer, a treat to share with friends in a relaxed environment. Gardoumia is a popular dish among mountain and pastoral farming/shepherds’... Read more
