Kastro and Catholic Church, Naxos
Tower, Castle, Naxos

<Location> Naxos, Naxos Island, Cyclades, Greece

The hill of Naxos is occupied by the Kastro, constructed by Marco Sanudi in 1207. Most of the circuit wall has been destroyed or incorporated in other buildings, but some parts are still recognisable. In the photo above is the Crispi tower (or Glezos tower), part of the Naxian dukes' palace, and below are two of the gates of the fortification.

Gate 1Gate 2

Coat of Arms

Inside the fortification, there still are many houses of the Crusader period, and they often have the coats of arms (photos right and below). The one in the photo below bears the year 1564, thus 2 years before the occupation by the Ottomans, but the one in the right has 1613, during the Turkish occupation.

Coat of Arms 2 Tower

This is the tower at the top of the hill.

Catholic Cathedral

Inside the fortification, there is the Catholic Cathedral.

It was constructed in the thirteenth century when the island was taken by the Sanudos. The church was the burial place for the dukes.

Naxos still has a sizable Catholic population.

In the photo below is the same church seen from beside.

Naxian Catholic Church Entrance of the Catholic Church

These are the coats of arms seen at the entrance of the church.


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