Naxos Kastro (Castle)

Location: Town

Naxos Castle (Kastro) is the old Venetian Town of Naxos. It served as a protective shield to the impregnable fortress of Sanudo in Chora.

It was built under the supervision of Marco Sanudo (the Venetian conqueror after whom it was named), who came along with the establishment of Venetian sovereignty over the Aegean Sea in 1207.
Materials from a preexisting ancient acropolis were used for its construction as long as some marble columns and blocks from the Portara.

Note: There is an elevator that allows visitors to reach the highest point of the Castle. The elevator takes you to the Avaton Cafe, which offers some great views.

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The fortification system adjoining the fortress is conspicuous thanks to its pentagonal shape. It has three gates, the biggest being Trani Porta ("Great Gate").

The Glezos Tower stands like a sentinel in proximity to the northwestern gate. It used to belong to a complex of 12 towers, commonly referred to as the Crispi and is the only one that has survived. Certain parts of the tower extend to the western and northern sides of the fortress.

The Castle consists of four levels and is the only castle in Naxos with a round shape. The fortress circuit towers, particularly the Glezos tower, are impeccably preserved, even to this day. The tower's entry stands out for its coat-of-arms that once belonged to the Crispi family.

As for its use, in addition to fortification purposes, it played a huge role in local politics, education, and religion during the Venetian period, housing several buildings still open to the public, such as the Catholic Cathedral, the Archaeological Museum, and the Ursulines School.
Moreover, many mansions still belong to renowned Venetian families, while others house shops and cafes.

Restoration Works: The tower was handed over to the Archaeological Service by Mr. Petros Glezos, who believed that the prestigious institution would undertake its preservation.
Restoration work is still in progress and the Archaeological Society intends to build a Museum there as well. Upon the successful completion of the work, it will become the biggest Byzantine Museum in the Cyclades. According to the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades, objects from the Middle Ages and Byzantium and the most important collection of detached Byzantine frescoes in Greece will be on display in Glezos Tower.

Top Tours and activities

• Best Seller

  Full day historical bus tour

  Category: Island, Day Trips, Shore Excursions

  Naxos Island is the biggest of the Cyclades, with a lot of places full of history, a famous cuisine, specific architecture and various landscapes. This bus tour of Naxos will get you through all these aspects and you will be able in just 8 hours to understand the island real vibe and to live ones of ...

  8 hours Map

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• Best Seller

  Naxos castle walking tour and sunset at the Portara

  Category: City, Walking

  The Island of Naxos is not only about beaches, it is also about the history and local experiences waiting to be discovered. The capital town (Chora) has two emblematic sights that definitely worth your attention – Naxos Castle and Portara. Put on some comfortable shoes and clothes and enjoy the ...

  2.5 hours Map

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How to get there

The Kastro (Castle) of Naxos is located in Chora.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: 0030 22850 25835, 0030 22850 24829, or booking your taxi online.

Car rental: There's the option of renting a car and picking it up directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Using a car rental allows visitors to discover the Castle of Naxos and many other places of interest at their own pace.

Public transfers: The central bus station of the island is located at the port of Naxos. There are bus connections between Chora and most areas of the island. Consider that time schedules might change according to the season. Check the official timetables here.