VIP Tours
Naxos is a top holiday destination among the Greek Islands, known for its distinctive beauty, diverse landscapes, charming villages, stunning beaches, and historical monuments.
4 Hours VIP Tour
- Sagri (Dimitras Temple)
- Damalas (Pottery Workshop)
- Chalki (Citrus Distillery)
- Moni (Panagia Drossiani)
- Melanes (Kouros Flerio)
1. Sagri (Dimitras Temple)
Near the village of Sangri, 10 km from Naxos Town, stands the sacred Temple of Demeter. This splendid structure, constructed entirely from high-quality Naxos marble, dates back to the 6th century BC. Demeter, the Olympian goddess of agriculture, harvest, and fertility, inspired the construction of temples on fertile lands like Sangri.
Historical evidence from excavations suggests that this site was used for religious purposes since the late Mycenaean Era, when worship was conducted in open-air sanctuaries. The current temple, built around 530-520 BC in the Doric style, predates the Parthenon in Athens and holds significant archaeological value. Its well-preserved sections have provided insights into the architecture of the period.
The temple’s construction occurred during the rule of Lygdamis, the tyrant of Naxos, who aspired to build some of Greece’s most magnificent monuments, including the Temple of Demeter and Portara, which was intended to be part of a grand temple dedicated to Apollo that was never finished.
The temple’s prominence waned after the 3rd century BC. With the advent of Christianity, it was converted into a Christian basilica, and a small church dedicated to Saint John was built in its center using marble from the ancient temple. Despite these changes, the monument remained largely intact. The church was likely destroyed in the 6th century AD during an Arabic invasion, although some remains persisted. It was reconstructed in 1977 at a different location to the south.
The ruins of the ancient temple were uncovered by archaeologist Nikolaos Kontoleon in 1949, with excavations continuing from 1976 to 1995. Many fragments of the temple, scattered around the site, had been looted over the years. In the mid-1990s, German archaeologists undertook a partial restoration to revive its former splendor.
Today, the Temple of Demeter is among the most beautiful ancient Greek temples, set in the scenic area of Sangri. Authentic pieces of the temple not used in the restoration are displayed in a nearby museum open to visitors. The museum is open every day except for Tuesdays from 08:30 to 15:30. Entrance to the outdoor archeological site is free.
2. Damalas (Pottery Workshop)
This traditional pottery workshop produces items for both practical use and decoration, allowing visitors to observe the entire process as the craftsman skillfully shapes the clay. Manolis Lybertas, a fourth-generation potter, creates pieces such as the sfouni (a jug for pouring wine from large jars), the tyromethira (a perforated jar for drying cheese), and many replicas of museum artifacts.
At the workshop in the village of Damalas, children can enjoy a special experience by working with clay to learn pottery-making. All they need are imagination, creativity, and a cheerful attitude. Young visitors can become potters themselves, shaping the clay into anything they can imagine.
3. Chalki (Citrus Distillery)
In the center of Halki village, the old capital of Naxos, is the Vallindras Distillery, a small establishment that primarily operates as a museum offering kitron products for sale. Founded in 1896 and run by the Vallindras family, the distillery once produced the island’s renowned liqueur, kitron, a yellow drink made from a fruit slightly less bitter than lemon. This traditional Naxos spirit was distributed throughout Greece.
Within this fascinating museum, visitors can view traditional items, machinery, and tools used in the distillation process. Many of the machines, which operated with fire, were imported from abroad. The museum also showcases awards for the distillery’s kitron and features old furniture from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can taste the liqueur and purchase bottles, as kitron is still being produced today.
4. Moni (Panagia Drossiani)
The Church of Panagia Drossiani is the oldest Christian church on Naxos, situated near Moni. It is one of the most significant Byzantine churches, holding great historical importance. The name “Drossiani” means “Dewy,” and there are two theories about its origin. One suggests it was named after its location, Drossia, while the other posits that the name comes from the church’s icon, which is believed to seep or weep whenever the village is in danger, thus earning the name Dewy Virgin.
Dating back to the late 6th century A.D., the church is adorned with rare paintings and offers a stunning view of the Tragea valley. The dome features a depiction of Almighty Jesus Christ. To the right of the altar, you can see an image of Saint George on a horse with a young boy behind him carrying water. Originally, the iconostasis was made of marble, but when it was removed, a wooden one, possibly made of chestnut, was discovered behind it.
The church also has a beautiful courtyard, which includes the local cemetery. Every year on Good Friday at midday, the church comes alive with villagers from Moni, who celebrate an old tradition by offering strong raki and bread with raisins and nuts to all the visitors.
5. Melanes (Kouros Flerio)
In addition to Apollonas and Melanes, locals discovered another remarkable Kouros statue in a reclining position within a field in the Flerio area, near the Kouros of Melanes. Approximately 700 meters away, there is also an unfinished statue of a Kori, which is the female counterpart of a Kouros. Archaeological research indicates that the Kori dates back to 570 BC. One of its most striking features is its height, nearly 6 meters, though one leg is broken.
The sculpture is believed to have been commissioned by a wealthy family but was left unfinished, likely due to damage during its creation, leading to its abandonment in the mountainous area. Since the ancient quarry is nearby, it is possible the leg broke during transport. The technique used is typical of Naxian sculpture. The statue was named “Ellinas” (Greek) as it was thought to represent the virtues of the race and the ideal physical and personality traits of a young male.
Fantasy VIP Tours in Naxos
Discover Naxos Inland Areas, Beaches, and Attractions
4 hours VIP Tour
Sagri (Dimitras Temple),
Damalas (Pottery Workshop),
Chalki (Citrus Distillery),
Moni (Panagia Drossiani),
Melanes (Kouros Flerio)
6 hours VIP Tour
Sagri (Dimitras Temple),
Damalas (Pottery Workshop),
Chalki (Citrus Distillery),
Filoti
Apiranthos
Stavros Keramotis
Melanes (Kouros Flerio)
Eggares (Olive Press Museum)
8 hours VIP Tour
Sagri (Dimitras Temple),
Damalas (Pottery Workshop),
Chalki (Citrus Distillery),
Filoti
Apiranthos
Apollonas (Kouros)
Eggares (Olive Press Museum)