The history of Naxos is closely linked to the Greek mythology, to legends, pirates, historical events and creativity.

According to the story in Greek mythology although Zeus was born in Crete, he was raised in the highest mountain of Naxos, Zas. On the top of this mountain, an eagle brought to Zeus the thunderbolt with which he managed to rule Olympus. Naxos is also linked to the story of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos of Crete. According to the myth, when Theseus was returning in triumph from Crete having killed Minotaur, the monstrous guardian of the Labyrinth with the help of his half-sister Ariadne, he stopped in Naxos. God Dionysus, who lived there, fell in love with her and convinced Theseus, while sleeping, to abandon her in the island. When Ariadne was left alone, Dionysus made her his consort.

Archaeological finds in Grotta and the cave of Zas, reveal that the island was inhabited already since the end of the 4th millennium B.C. Naxos is one of the few islands of Greece that is inhabited continuously from the prehistoric times up to now. Since the antiquity it was the largest and richest island, self – sufficient and famous for the wine and the worship of Dionysus. What is more, the scattered monuments found throughout the island (ancient temples, funeral gifts, churches from the early Byzantine period, castles, towers, embattled monasteries etc) reveal the Naxos’ rich history.

It is said that the first inhabitants of Naxos were people from Thraki, who brought with them the worship of Dionysus. During that time the island was named Dias or Dionyssias or Stroggyli (round). Kares came to the island afterwards and settled in. The island was named was named after their chief, Naxos. Naxos island was one of the most important centers of Cycladic culture and thrived due to the development of commerce and shipping. The great Cycladic figurines found on the island are undeniable evidence concerning the wealth and creativity of that time. During Mycenaean times (1600 – 1100 B.C.) Naxos served as a bridge of communication between East and West: it became a crossroad of civilizations, and arts, architecture and sculpture flourished during the next years.

During the Persian Wars, Naxos island, as a member of the Athenian League, suffered a lot and as a result lost its previous glamour. After the end of these wars, it was conquered by Macedonians, Ptolemies and finally Romans. During the Byzantine period, it belonged to the Region of the Aegean and was destroyed and loot by pirates and Saracens. These rapacious invasions led to a significant decrease in the island’s population, while the economy and culture were destroyed. Residents of Naxos deserted the island looking for safety in the neighboring islands. Those that stayed, took to the centre of Naxos, and established new protected settlements. The capital of Naxos during the Byzantine period was inside the castle of Apalyros The arrival of Christianity is associated to the construction of churches and monasteries of every order and style, with excellent wall paintings – many of them are preserved until today.

In 1207, when the Venetian Marco Sanudo conquers Naxos, a new era starts for the island, as it becomes a powerful Duchy that included all the Cyclades islands. Sanudos used the ruins of the ancient town to build the imposing Castle of Chora. The Castle had many towers and was built on the hill that constitutes a natural citadel.

Marco Sanudo conquered Naxos and most of the other islands of the Cyclades group. He took the title of Ruler of the Duchy of Naxos, it was only a century later that his successors took the more direct title of Duke of Naxos of the Archipelago. In the meantime Naxos had acquired its present capital on western coast with a fortified ring of houses, the Kastro on a hill top. The thick outer walls of the ring of houses served as fortification.

The Venetians ruled until 1537. That year, the island was captured by Barbarossa and was under Turkish domination; the Turks preserved the feudal system. The island was under Ottoman rule until 1829, when it was annexed to the newly established Greek state along with the rest of the Aegean islands.

During modern history a period of dramatic changes takes place. These changes have to do with internal migration and the weakening of the country side, and especially mountain areas. Since 1970 though, a new period of prosperity starts for Naxos, based on tourism. Today Naxos is a popular island destination, with rich natural environment, archaeological treasures, living customs and traditions, hospitable people and innumerable golden beaches.