FAQ about Naxos
- Naxos is the Island of Dionysus
- Naxian Wine supposedly cures Heart ache (plus it is amazing)
- Mount Zas (zeus) is the mountain that Zeus was hidden in till he was old enough to defeat his father Kronos. There is a huge cave in Mount Zas that is said to be the cave from the myth.
- When Theseus killed the minotaur (with the help of Ariadne) he sailed past Naxos. Then abandoned Ariadne on Naxos. One version of the myth says she jumped of the cliffs near the Portara (picture), but the other version is that Dionysus fell in love with her and gave her Naxos wine for her heart. Either way the locals say the Portara was built for her.
- The Portara is an unfinished temple for Apollo
- Portara means door, and the Portara sits at the front of the bay leading into Naxos City (Hora)
- Naxos has been known for its wine and marble since ancient times.
- Since ancient times Emery has been mined on the Island
- The Island is completely self sufficient
- The Island was the center of the Ionian Revolt which helped set of the Persian wars
- A main turkish marine battle took place off the Island
- The Island was controlled by the Venetians until recent times
- In the bay near the Portara you can see the ancient city which was sunk after a volcano blew
- Naxos Eyes are a symbol of Naxos. They are the doors that sea snails use to close off their shells. They are orange on one side and white with a grey swirl on the other.
- Naxos gets mostly Swedish and German Tourist
- Naxos is known for two things in modern Greece Potatoes and Kitron
- Kitron is an alcohol in three colors/flavors (green, white, and yellow). It is made from the leaves of the Kitron tree, which has yellow lemon like fruit. The Kitron trees on the Island have grown scarce and now Kitron can only be sold within Greece. (Its not half bad better then Ouzo)
- Prokopios beach is considered one of the best in all Greece.
- Making a Naxos Gyros....One pita bread with tomato, onion, tzatziki, Chicken/pork, and Naxian french fries! Delicious