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At Apano Kastro, the strategic hill between the Potamia valley
and the Tragea, several different periods of history meet. A
large menhir guards the entrance to a prehistoric graveyard,
there are remains of fortifications from the Classical period
and some small Byzantine churches. The upper part is occupied
by the remains of the Upper Castle built by the Venetians. There
are sweeping views across large parts of the island. Apano Kastro
can be reached on foot via the village of Tsikkalario and from
Ano Potamia.
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The
partially restored temple of Demeter,
built during the 6th century BC, stands on a small hill in the
fertile valley of Sangri. The original temple was built almost
entirely out of marble, including the roof beams and tiles.
In the fertile Livadi plain 3 km below Naxos town are the remains
of the temple of Iria, the earliest
parts of which probably date back to the 8th century BC. Four
temples were built in succession on the same location. After
excavations most of the area was covered, but there
is a museum.
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Several
large marble statues can be found on Naxos, abandoned in their
original location in former marble quarries, probably because
cracks in the marble developed. During the period when marble
sculpture was at its height around the 7th and 6th centuries BC,
many of these statues were exported to other islands. The workmanship
of the Naxian marble craftsmen was famous in the ancient world.
One kouros (statue of a young god or hero) is found near Apollonas,
and two more in the Flerio area near Melanes. |
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Naxos
has hundreds of small churches and chapels from the Byzantine
period. Most are located in the area around Sangri, in the central
area of the Tragea and the valleys near Moni and Apeirathos.
Many of these churches still have ancient and precious frescoes,
some of which have been restored. Some of the churches are locked
and inquiries for the key have to be made locally.
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Map
of Naxos |
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