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GREECE - NAXOS ISLAND, CYCLADES - SIGHTSEEING

"CHALKI" - The Old Capital of Naxos

Chalki was an old trade place and its neo-classical houses reveal the reach of its climax. This village is the old capital of Naxos and the heart of the Tragea, the main area for the olive trees and the biggest cultivation of the Cyclades.

The church of Panagia Protothroni in Chalki is architecturally dated in the first half of the 9th century, one of more than 10 Byzantine in this area and one of the oldest churches on Naxos. Here we are taken back to the previous rule of the dukes as soon as we visit the Tower of Barozzi - Frangopoulos - Grazia, which predates the 17th century.

The traditional distillery of the Kitron "Vallindras" is located in the middle of Chalki. Kitron is a kind of lemon liqueur except for the fruit is much bigger, like an orange and it is made from the leaves, keeping much more flavor than the fruit does. The distillery exists since 1896 but they started working around 30 years before they tried to get their official allowance. The equipment is 130 years old and the ingredients of the Kitron haven't changed for 100 years now, without chemical additions.

The olive tree, a sacred tree for Mediterranean people with its branch as a symbol of peace, inspires the work of a German potter. Katherina Bolesch decided to show her creations and opened a workshop "L'olivier · H Elaia" (the olive) near the central square and the distillery of Vallindras. Besides her high-fired stone ware, the shop also offers things made from olive wood, cold pressed olive oil, literature about the olive, soap made from olive oil and handmade candles. The Greek autumn traveler edition (2001) of the National Geographic and several TV channels characterize the work of Katherina as masterpieces.

In the western basin of the Tragea is Apano Kastro castle.

"PANAGIA DROSSIANI" - One of the Oldest Churches in Europe

The Early Christian church "Panagia Drossiani" is one of the oldest in Europe and is still in use.
The earliest layer of wall paintings (frescos) dates to the end of the 6th and the beginning of the 9th century in the dome. The dome shows Christ Pantocrator.
The "double Pantocrator" might show the young and the old Christ or the worldly and the divine Christ.
In front of the altar, on the right side, you will find the St. George on a horse, together with a little boy sitting behind him and carrying water. This originates from the end of the 9th century.

"AGIOS MAMAS" - Potamia

Behind the villages of Potamia lies the 9th century church of St. Mamas. It is important because of the architecture of a registered cross and the sculptures. As one of the oldest churches in Naxos, it is believed that it housed the Orthodox cathedral before the Frankish occupation.