Naxos History - The history of Naxos island through centuries

Naxos Town & Villages

Naxos Beaches

Naxos History

NAXOS ISLAND HISTORY
The history of Naxos through centuries

Naxos first flourished during Early Cycladic II period (about 2700 - 2300 BC), during which, along with the small nearby islands, it developed into one of the most important commercial and cultural centres of the period.

During the later phases of the Bronze Age, there were a mixture of changes in the Aegean which resulted in new centres rising on other islands (Thera, Milos, Paros) and Naxos lost its leading position in the Aegean. Excavations over the last forty years have brought a large number of archaeological sites (Grotta, Aplomata, Pithos in Chora, Melanes, Sangri, Iria, Tsikalario in central Naxos, Panormos, Korphi t'Aroniou in east Naxos), and also the many finds that are now housed in the Naxos Museum. .

portara in Naxos town - Nissaki Hotels, Naxos Travel, Greece

Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades islands, a wealthy place with a natural environment suitable for the development of farming and stock-raising. It is also an island with good natural harbours, a condition which has contributed much to its strong continuous cultural presence in Greece from the end of the 4th millennium BC up to day.

naxos castles - Nissaki Hotels, Naxos Travel, Greece

kouros melanes - Nissaki Hotels, Naxos Travel, Greece

The Archeological Museum of Naxos 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. Since 1973 this museum has been housed in the Venetian building of the Freridon School where the famous Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis was educated as a young man. The museum hosts works of art as well as everyday items (5300 B.C. - 5th c. A.D.) that were brought to light during regular excavations that took part on the island from end of the Second World War to date. Among other exhibits visitors can find collections of marble statuettes from the Early Cycladic period (3200-2300 B.C.), vases of the Mycenaean and Geometric period, as well as pottery and glass vases of the Roman period.

The archaeological collections of the Naxos Museum include some important finds, especially from the Early Cycladic periods (3200 to 2300 BC), though also from the earlier historical phases; many of these finds are unique. .