Naxos Kastro (Castle)

Location: Town

The Castle (Kastro) of Naxos, Cyclades: Naxos Castle is in fact the old Venetian Town of Naxos. Along with the Tower of Glezos, it served as a protective shield to the impregnable fortress of Sanoudos in Chora.
It was originally built under the supervision of Markos II Sanoudos (the Venetian conqueror after whom it was named), who came along with the establishment of Frankish sovereignty over the Aegean Sea in 1207.
For its construction, materials from a preexisting ancient acropolis were used.

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The fortification system adjoining the fortress is conspicuous thanks to its pentagonal shape. It has three gates, with the biggest one being Trani Porta ("Great Gate").
The Glezos Tower stands like a sentinel in close proximity to the northwestern gate. It used to belong to a complex of 12 towers, commonly referred to as the Krispi and is the only one that has survived. Certain parts of the tower extend to the western and northern side of the fortress.

The Castle consists of four levels and it 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 entry to the tower stands out for its coat-of-arms that once belonged to the Krispi family.

As for the use of the castle, in addition to its fortification purposes, it had a huge role in the local politics, education and religion during the Venetian period, housing several building that are still open to the public, such as the Cathedral, the Archeological Museum and the Ursulines School.
In addition, many mansions still belong to renowned Venetian families and others are used to 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 entire Cyclades.

The Glezos tower was fully restored in the period 1968-1969. In more recent times, from 1995 and onwards, works on the construction of the museum have been ongoing.

Things to see & Do in Kastro:
Ursulines School and Merchant Academy
Venetian Museum
Archaeological Museum
Catholic Cathedral

Tours and activities related to Kastro

• Best Seller

  Naxos castle walking tour and sunset at the Portara

  Naxos

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  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 evening walk within the castle walls alongside a local experienced and most of all passionate guide. Book your tour and use your mobile for tickets if you don`t want to print them, then get ready for 2.5 hours of insights and local tips, stunning photos, memorable experiences and breathtaking views over Naxos Town and the Aegean Sea. You will get the chance to find more about the Castle history, observe the most important buildings of the Venetian era, get lost in the narrow still inhabited alleys and learn about customs and culture. Discover the local products, authentic tavernas and the ambient bars on the vibrant Old Market. After this, your guide will take you to the most beautiful sunset spot in Naxos – Portara, The Temple of Apollo. You will find out the interesting story about this place and you will be able to enjoy an unforgettable moment. Make sure your camera has enough battery because you would want to take a lot of photos during this tour.

  2.5 hours Map

  from € 20.00

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• Best Seller

  Naxos island full day historical bus tour

  Naxos

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  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 the best experiences of your holiday. Take your breakfast and prepare your comfortable shoes, your sunglasses and sun hat, put on some sunscreen and get ready for a full-day adventure. The tour will get you to the north and west part of the island, crossing the inland. You will have an experienced guide that will introduce you to the fascinating world of Naxos. Besides the ancient temples and museums that you will visit, you will get the chance to taste the famous local liqueur Citron at the oldest distillery on the island, visit the stunning marble village of Apiranthos and see the huge 10.5- meters tall Kouros Statue. You will have some free time also that you can use to enjoy the surroundings, take a swim or just to have lunch at a local tavern. The final stop of the tour will be at an olive press museum and after that, you will return home with unforgettable memories and for sure a lot of photos.

  8 hours Map

  from € 25.00

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How to get there

The Kastro (Castle) of Naxos is located in Chora, just a 10-minute walk away from the central bus station and 6 minutes from a parking lot.