Naxos Ursulines School and Merchant Academy

Location: Town

Founded by Jesuits during the 17th century, the Ursulines School & Merchant Academy is located inside Kastro (the Castle), nearby the Catholic Cathedral.

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The school started operating in 1628 under the supervision of the Jesuit monks who had arrived in Naxos due to the extension of French diplomacy at that time.
The monastery hosted two separate schools - for boys and girls, respectively - and aimed at the proper education of the Catholic youth of Naxos. It is worth mentioning that the Ursulines established the first girl school in Greece, allowing women access to higher education.

Jesuits run the school until 1782. After they fled the island, it came under the administration of Lazarist monks - after the decision of King Louis XVI - until 1891.

It was then that the Salesian monks proceeded to reorganize the Ursulines and established the renowned Merchant Academy. The School of Commerce became famous all over Greece for the quality of its studies; the celebrated Greek writer and philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis attended the Academy in 1897, and its operation lasted until 1927.

Nowadays, the Academy's building is a property of the Greek State and functions as a cultural center since 1985. The Ursulines have kept a part of the complex and use it during the summer season for seminars, religious retreats, and other events.

How to get there

The Ursulines School & Merchant Academy 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 rental car allows visitors to discover the Ursulines School & Merchant Academy and many other places of interest at their own pace.

Public transport: 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.