Description of the attraction
Apiranthos is a picturesque mountain village in the central part of the Greek island of Naxos. The settlement is located about 30 km northeast of the capital of the island of the same name, at the foot of Mount Fanari, at an altitude of 550-650 meters above sea level. It is one of the largest settlements on the island, and according to many travelers it is one of the most beautiful and interesting settlements in Naxos with a rich history and traditions.
The peculiarities of the local dialect and traditions of Apiranthos are very similar to the mountainous settlements of the island of Crete. This led scientists to believe that Apiranthos was most likely founded by immigrants from Crete (presumably in the 10th century). The very first written mentions of the settlement are found in the records of the Italian traveler Christopher Bundelmonti and date back to 1420.
Apiranthos is a magnificent example of medieval architecture in stone and marble, where the influence of the Venetian era can be clearly traced. This is an incredibly beautiful settlement with narrow cobbled streets with arched ceilings, small cozy squares, stone, mostly two-story houses, Venetian defensive towers and ancient temples. Due to the abundance of marble details, Apiranthos is often referred to as the "marble village".
One of the main attractions of Apiranthos is the Church of Apiratisissa, one of the oldest and most beautiful temples in Naxos. Also of interest are the churches of Agios Chrysostomos (1656), St. Paraskeva (1708), the Virgin of Katopoliani (1685) and the Church of Theoskepasti (1663). The excellent museums of Apiranthos - the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Folk Art, the Geological Museum and the Museum of Natural History - certainly deserve special attention. The tower of Zevgoli, built in the 17th century, located on a small rocky hill not far from the entrance to the village, is definitely worth a visit.
