Νaxos’s prominent position in the Aegean Sea during Byzantine times (6th-15th centuries) is indicated by the large number of churches that date to this period and which is not rivaled by any other island in the region.
The number of churches with frescoes is estimated at around 120 — out of a probable initial total of about 200 — including those with iconography that has been found to have been whitewashed up to five times.
The Byzantine churches are dispersed throughout the island but with greater density in the valleys, such as in the Sagri area – where the early Byzantine fort of Apaliros has a commanding presence and the central basin of Tragea, where the mid-Byzantine Church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Protothroni has been in uninterrupted service to this day.
The architecture of Naxos’s Byzantine churches comes in mainly three styles: the three-aisle basilica (to which most churches belong), the free cruciform (about 12) and the circumscribed cruciform (five or six of great importance).
There are also arched roof and mausoleum-type churches, single-aisle basilicas – with or without a dome – and a “three-in-one” architectural marvel with multiple domes, Panagia Drossiani in Tragea.
Many Byzantine churches lay abandoned for a long time and an inestimable number of frescoes are thought to have been lost due to dampness and erosion.
In the last 50 years or so, however, the archaeological service has carried out a vast amount of restoration and maintenance work.
Agios Theodoros is a single-spaced domed church located by the cove of the same name in northwestern Naxo ...
Agios Theodoros is a single-spaced domed church located by the cove of the same name in northwestern Naxos. It was possibly built in the late 19th century, in place of a pre-existing church whose arch ...
The lush valley of Potamia on Naxos hosts the Byzantine chapel of Agios Mamas –patron saint of shepherds. ...
The lush valley of Potamia on Naxos hosts the Byzantine chapel of Agios Mamas –patron saint of shepherds. Also known by the name of Theoskepasti, the 10th century chapel is one of the island’s oldest ...
Agios Nikolaos, the oldest church in the village of Agios Arsenios on Naxos, built on a hilltop on the we ...
Agios Nikolaos, the oldest church in the village of Agios Arsenios on Naxos, built on a hilltop on the western side of the settlement before 1660, houses some rare relics. The middle of three aisles i ...
Ai Sozos, a tiny, whitewashed chapel perched on a rock next to the sea in the Kalandos area, is one of th ...
Ai Sozos, a tiny, whitewashed chapel perched on a rock next to the sea in the Kalandos area, is one of those magical sights of lasting memory on Naxos. The church was built by a merchant after his boa ...
The Catholic Cathedral, located in Naxos' Kastro in the Old Town, was built in the medieval era. It went ...
The Catholic Cathedral, located in Naxos' Kastro in the Old Town, was built in the medieval era. It went through various construction phases before taking its final shape in the 17th century. Its marb ...
The Capella Kazatza church is located at Kastro’s highest point, next to the School of Commerce on Naxos. ...
The Capella Kazatza church is located at Kastro’s highest point, next to the School of Commerce on Naxos. The local tradition considered Capella Kazantza to be the chapel of Marco Sanudo –the Venetia ...
Photodotis is Naxos’s oldest and perhaps most important fortified monastery. Located at an idyllic spot a ...
Photodotis is Naxos’s oldest and perhaps most important fortified monastery. Located at an idyllic spot at an altitude of 500m, north of the village of Danakos and amidst age-old oak trees, fig trees ...
The Orthodox Cathedral on Naxos was built in place of a smaller church, Zoodochos Pigi, and acquired its ...
The Orthodox Cathedral on Naxos was built in place of a smaller church, Zoodochos Pigi, and acquired its present-day shape between 1780 and 1787. Building materials from older churches and ancient con ...
The monastery of Agia is built on an idyllic site at an altitude of 220m, just 6km away from the village ...
The monastery of Agia is built on an idyllic site at an altitude of 220m, just 6km away from the village of Apollonas on Naxos. The main church of the monastery is a vaulted basilica with three aisles ...
The Agios Eleftherios Μonastery stands graciously on the southern side of Sagrivillage on Naxos. Maintain ...
The Agios Eleftherios Μonastery stands graciously on the southern side of Sagrivillage on Naxos. Maintained in good condition following a third round of restoration work, the monastery is comprised of ...
