Naxos
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Thursday, July 29, 2010 4:50 PM
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“This island had great sweetness, much calm; serene the faces of the people… and the sea, gentle”. Nikos Kazantzakis describes Naxos in these simple words, an island where he spent several years as a student at the French School.
Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades, amazes even the most demanding visitor. It combines the renowned Cycladic scenery with villages on lush mountains not to be found elsewhere in the Cyclades.
The ancient Greeks believed that Zeus and Dionysus had grown up at Naxos. But legends exist only in an attempt to interpret the natural riches and splendors of the island. Naxos offers not only a plethora of local –and of exceptional quality- products, but also boasts the rarest mineral resources. The island is home to the world’s one and only emery mine. For these reasons, Naxos has held a dominant part on the course of it’s entire history; a rich history that has left its mark not only on the environment, but particularly on the inhabitants of the island; a history that is perceptible to the visitor before he even sets his foot on the island. Two landmarks of worship belonging to completely different eras welcome the visitor at the port. They offer just a taste of all things that compose this special island. The islet of Panagia Myrtidiotissa can be seen to the right while Portara lies to the left; the gigantic gateway of the temple of Apollo that was never completed.
Article: Vassilis Dalianis, Vicky Apostolopoulou
Source: «Pelagos» Magazine of Helenic Seaways, Issue 19