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.
The fascinating cave of the Nativity and the remains of the early Byzantine monastery of Kaloritsa are fo ...
The fascinating cave of the Nativity and the remains of the early Byzantine monastery of Kaloritsa are found above Timios Stavros monastery, on the slope of Mt. Prophitis Ilias on Naxos. The natural c ...
The Capuchin monastery on Naxos is located east of Theoskepasti church, close to the Piso Paraporti gate ...
The Capuchin monastery on Naxos is located east of Theoskepasti church, close to the Piso Paraporti gate of Kastro. The monastery’s church, dedicated to San Antonio di Padua, is single-aisled with imp ...
The impressive, Greek Orthodox fortified monastery of Ypsilotera (or Ypsili), near Galini on Naxos, serve ...
The impressive, Greek Orthodox fortified monastery of Ypsilotera (or Ypsili), near Galini on Naxos, served as a center of rebellion by the locals against the repression of the Latin nobility in a numb ...
The fortified monastery of Timios Stavros (also known as Bazeos Tower by the name of the family who now o ...
The fortified monastery of Timios Stavros (also known as Bazeos Tower by the name of the family who now own it) in the Agiassos valley, outside the village of Sagri, is one of Naxos’s most characteris ...
The monastery of Faneromeni is built in the form of a Venetian tower and it is situated on a hill overloo ...
The monastery of Faneromeni is built in the form of a Venetian tower and it is situated on a hill overlooking the whole northwest coast of Naxos. Its foundation dates back to the 14th century. The mon ...
Agios Nikolaos church in Upper Sagri on Naxos is a single-aisle domed church, with an interior covered by ...
Agios Nikolaos church in Upper Sagri on Naxos is a single-aisle domed church, with an interior covered by successive layers of frescoes depicting the birth and baptism of Jesus Christ. The most recent ...
Panagia (Virgin Mary) Aperathitissa church on Naxos, named after the village, is located on its main stre ...
Panagia (Virgin Mary) Aperathitissa church on Naxos, named after the village, is located on its main street. Built in the 18th century, it has an imposing presence. The church’s marble bell tower, alt ...
In 1836, a very old icon of Panagia (Virgin Mary) was found at Tholos position, in the area of Argokili o ...
In 1836, a very old icon of Panagia (Virgin Mary) was found at Tholos position, in the area of Argokili on Naxos. It was thought to have been there at least since the period of iconoclasm some 1,000 y ...
Panagia (Virgin Mary) Damniotissa is a pretty, cruciform church on Naxos with a dome of the 9th-10th cent ...
Panagia (Virgin Mary) Damniotissa is a pretty, cruciform church on Naxos with a dome of the 9th-10th centuries, situated where the Daminos settlement once existed. It retains three layers of frescoes ...
The Church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Drossiani –a short distance from Moni, on the way to Chalki- is one o ...
The Church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Drossiani –a short distance from Moni, on the way to Chalki- is one of Naxos’s oldest. The church, part of an old monastery, has a unique architectural style, with ...
