Sights in Naxos
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Halki
The picturesque village of Halki lies at the heart of the Tragaea, a vast plain of olive groves and unspoilt villages, dotted with Byzantine churches. Halki is a must for its handsome villas, kitron (citron liqueur) distillery and enthralling ceramics gallery-shop, L'Olivier. Refuel in the shady town square and pop into Era for locally made sweets and jams.
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Vallindras Distillery
One of Naxos' finest experiences is a visit to the historic village of Halki, which lies at the heart of the Tragaea, about 20 minutes' drive from Naxos town. Halki is a vivid reflection of historic Naxos and is full of the handsome façades of old villas and tower houses, legacy of a rich past as the one-time centre of Naxian commerce. Since the late 19th century Halki has had strong connections with the production of kitron, a delicious liqueur.
The Vallindras Distillery in Halki's main square, still distils kitron the old-fashioned way. There are free tours of the old distillery's atmospheric rooms, which still contain ancient jars and copper stills. Kitron tastings…
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Cave of Zeus
From Filoti, you can reach the Cave of Zeus, a large natural cavern at the foot of a cliff on the slopes of Mt Zeus. There's a junction signposted Aria Spring and Zas Cave, about 800m south of Filoti. If travelling by bus, ask to be dropped off here. The side road ends in 1.2km. From the road-end parking, follow a walled path past the Aria Spring, a fountain and picnic area, and continue uphill to reach the cave. The path leads on from here to the summit of Zas.
It's quite a stiff hike of about 3km. A good way to return to Filoti, taking another 4km, is to follow the path that leads north from the summit. This is not a mere stroll, so be fit and come equipped with good…
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Bazeos Castle
The handsome towerlike building of Bazeos Castle stands prominently in the landscape about 2km east of the village of Sangri. The castle was built in its original form as the Monastery of Timios Stavros (True Cross) during the 17th century, but monks abandoned the site in the early 19th century. It was later bought by the Bazeos family, whose modern descendants have refurbished the building and its fascinating late-medieval rooms with great skill and imagination.
The castle now functions as a cultural centre and stages art exhibitions and the annual Naxos Festival during July and August, when concerts, plays and literary readings are held. The price of admission to these…
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Archaeology Museum
Apiranthos is an atmospheric mountain village of unadorned stone houses, marble-paved streets and alleyways that scramble up the slopes of Mt Fanari. Its inhabitants are descendants of refugees who fled Crete to escape Turkish repression; they retain a strong individuality and a rich dialect, and the village has always been noted for its spirited politics and populism. The village has an impressive trio of museums.
The Archaeology Museum is part-way along the main street. It has a marvellous collection of small Cycladian artefacts. Admission free.
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Museum of Natural History
Apiranthos is an atmospheric mountain village of unadorned stone houses, marble-paved streets and alleyways that scramble up the slopes of Mt Fanari. Its inhabitants are descendants of refugees who fled Crete to escape Turkish repression; they retain a strong individuality and a rich dialect, and the village has always been noted for its spirited politics and populism. The village has an impressive trio of museums. On the main road, to the right of the start of the village's main street, is the Museum of Natural History .
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Geology Museum
Apiranthos is an atmospheric mountain village of unadorned stone houses, marble-paved streets and alleyways that scramble up the slopes of Mt Fanari. Its inhabitants are descendants of refugees who fled Crete to escape Turkish repression; they retain a strong individuality and a rich dialect, and the village has always been noted for its spirited politics and populism. The village has an impressive trio of museums. The Geology Museum is part-way along the main street
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Kouros
Coachloads of day-trippers come to see the gargantuan 6th-century BC kouros (male statue) that lies in an ancient marble quarry a short walk from Apollonas, on the north coast (both the inland and coastal routes from Naxos Town are spectacular). This 10.5m statue apparently represents Dionysos, and may have been abandoned, unfinished, because it cracked.
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Temple of Apollo
From Naxos Town, a causeway leads to Palatia Islet and the unfinished Temple of Apollo (aka the Portara), Naxos' most famous landmark. Though there's not much to see other than two columns with a crowning lintel, people gather at sunset for views back to the whitewashed houses of Naxos Town scrambling up to the 13th-century kastro on the hilltop.
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Temple to Demeter
About 1.5km south of Sangri is the impressive Temple to Demeter. The ruins and reconstructions are not large, but they are historically fascinating, and the hilltop location is impressive. There is a site museum with some fine reconstructions of temple features. Signs point the way from Sangri.
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Panagia Drosiani
The Panagia Drosiani just below Moni, 2.5km north of Halki, is one of the oldest and most revered churches in Greece. It has a warren of cavelike chapels, and several of the frescoes date back to the 7th century. Donations are appreciated.
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Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum is in Kastro, housed in the former Jesuit school where novelist Nikos Kazantzakis was briefly a pupil. The contents include Hellenistic and Roman terracotta figurines and some early Cycladic figurines.
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