Mountainous Naxos

Apeiranthos

Apeiranthos is located at the northeastern part of the island, at an altitude of 650 meters at the foothills of Mount Fanari, and 32 km from the town of Naxos.

The rich cultural tradition of the village, is exhibited in the archaeological museum, the geological museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the libraries of Glezou Nick and Peter Protopapadaki. Of particular interest is the local dialect of the inhabitants.

Apiranthos has been declared a national heritage site and stands out for the degree of conservation of traditional architecture in buildings, roofed passages (stiasta) in stone and marble paved streets, elaborate marble door frames and window frames. The widespread use of marble in the construction and morphological data, is due to the marble quarry near the village and the social-economic conditions prevailing. In the village stand three towers (two of the Venetian era and a subsequent third) with the coats of arms of their owners. The village is densely built and divided into two neighborhoods, the Firoistra and the Katiforo, from the main pedestrian street which connects the entrance of the village and the square.

Apiranthos is one of the 6 emery villages. The seaport, Moutsoúna, is now a picturesque village by the sea. However, before that, when the aerial conveyor for the transport of the emery was working, it was a very important port. There was the terminal of the conveyor, the port and the emery warehouses. Emery was loaded onto ships and transported to the various points of sale.

Atsipapi

The area of Atsipapi is located in the northeastern part of the island, at an altitude of 540 meters and 5 kilometers from the village of Koronos, to which it belongs administratively. The medieval village of Atsipapi dates from the 15th century, but as can be seen in some constructions and materials, the first settlement must have been much older. This is an autonomous rural village, surrounded by fields and vineyards shaped by terraces.

An interesting network of paths runs through the village. Among the buildings there are interesting structures such as furnaces, threshing and grape stomping floors, while at the lower part of the village there is a water source which supplies the area. The buildings are made of dry wall (walls without mortar) and. A few of them are currently used as "mitatos" (hut, shelter) and thus kept in better condition than the rest.

Danakos

Danakos is located at the northeastern foot of Mount Zas (Zeus), at an altitude of 400 meters and is one of 6 the emery villages.

It is a small rural village which has undergone several changes that have altered the original architectural character. The elements of that earlier character are evident in certain older buildings, adorned with masonry and marble doorframes. In the past there were seven mills in the area.

A short distance from the village is the tower monastery of Fotodoti.

Keramoti

Keramoti is 25km from Chora and is not visible from the main road. It is located at an altitude of 480 meters, on a hill between three mountains called Koronos, Mountain and Atraliki. The main pedestrian street connects the entrance of the village with the square and then the church. The architectural character has been maintained to a great extent thanks to the location of the village in a naturally isolated landscape. Interesting landmarks are the renovated oil press, the two derelict water mills and the traditional bridge.

Koronos

Koronos is located in the northeastern part of the island, 28km from the town of Naxos. The village is not visible from the sea and spreads amphitheatrically at the western foot of Mount Ammomaxi and the eastern mountain of Koronos, with an average altitude of 550 m.

Between the two slopes, the stream Ryakas separates the village. Linking the two sides, there are two bridges. The main pedestrian street connects the village entrance with the church and and the school with the square. The village is divided into the neighborhoods of Castle, Anegyrida, Leivadaki, Kato Gitonia and Platsa. In the neighborhood of Castle the defensive organization of space is apparent and have must have formed the centre of the old fortified town.

The village is densely built with an architectural interest that is reflected in the morphological features of the buildings and paths.

The village has two renovated oil presses, a water mill and a folkore museum.

Koronos is one of the six emery villages. The mining of emery was the main occupation of the residents in previous years. The construction of the aerial conveyor system to transfer the emery influenced the architecture of the area with the introduction of metallic elements in construction methods. On the road to the port of Koronos, in Lionas, one can find the mine galleries, the railway and its facilities, most notably the intermediate station of Stravolagkada. In Lionas, before the construction of the port of Moutsouna, there was a loading bay, to transfer emery on ships to the various outlets.

Komiaki

Komiaki is the northernmost mountain village of Naxos. Located at an altitude of 650 meters on the ridges of mount Koronos. It used to be the capital of the former Municipality of Koronis. In the region of Komiaki are the village of Apollo, HiliaVrisis, of Abram, of Campos, of Skeponi of Mirisi etc.

Although the village has undergone several alterations, the previous architectural character can be seen, mainly in the paved alleyways, roofed passages and the ruins of buildings.

Of particular interest are the watermills in the periphery of the village.

Mesi

Mesi is a village on the eastern outskirts of the mount Koronos, located at an altitude of 380 m and exactly halfway on the road connecting Skado and Apollo.

It is a village of rural character. A central pedestrian street runs through the village connecting the entrance of the village with the church.

Mesi has a restored traditional oil press, and the primary school that serves as a folklore museum. Just outside the village is the Drakontospilio (Dragoncave) with stalactites and stalagmites.

Skado

Skado is located in the northeastern part of the island, 32 km from the town of Naxos. The village developed on the eastern slopes of mount Koronos with an average elevation of 560 meters.

It is one of the six emery villages. The main occupation of its inhabitants in the past was emery mining, which contributed to the financial prosperity. Today however, the village has very few inhabitants.

The village has developed on either side of the central street that runs through the village from the entrance to the church. There are several examples of traditional architecture to see.