Leaving the village of Melanes and driving through the orchards of Paratrechos, we reach the village of Potamia, famous for its orchards and for fruit of every kind. About 9 km from the main town, we enter a village full of green orchards and fruit-trees. Potamia is divided in three parishes, Ano Potamia, Mesi Potamia and Kato Potamia, which come under the same community. The village has almost 500 inhabitants, many less each year that passes through, because the villagers are trying to work in the main town, since the tourism started to increase in Naxos. As we reach Ano Potamia, we come across the church of Agios Ioannis. This is a good place for a rest. Refreshments to satisfy all contemporary tastes are available, but one can also try the preserved fruit, bitter orange and apricot, which is produced in Potamia. The plentiful running water of the spring, has decorated the area with age-long trees, picturesque water mills and orchards. The dark green olive groves complete the beauty of the scenery. In a green garden with churches and towered houses, lies the 9th century church of Agios Mamas. It is one of the most important churches of the island, thanks to its remarkable architecture, sculptures and frescoes.
|
|
Just a little bit after Scado, driving west, we come across the village of Mesi. Inhabited by 150 people, mostly farmers, the beautiful village of Mesi is full of orchards and vineyards, cultivated intensively by the villagers, thanks to the richness of the soil. Near Mesi, there are the ruins of ancient hamlets and fortresses. The beautiful parish church, of Agia Paraskevi, adds splendor to the whole village.
|
Melanes is a small village, but the richest one in tradition and legends. It is located in a beautiful valley full of olive and fruit trees, just a breath away from the main town, around 8 km. The valley has taken its name from its black soil ('Melanes' means 'black'). In the Melanes’ valley, also are the villages of Kournochori and Agioi Apostoloi. At Kournochori you will find the Frangopoulos tower-house. The tower reminds us that the region was one of the most important fiefs of the island. Leaving Melanes, our route takes us to Flerio, also known as 'Ellinas' ('Greek'). There you will find the ''Kouros''. The statue was lying on the ground of an ancient quarry since the 7th century BC and represents a person, (its sex is not defined), which measures 6,40metres, and now lays in the corner of an orchard, which is under the exclusive protection of the Kondylis family. The statue is 200 years older than Acropolis in the city of Athens. Another monument worth seeing in Melanes, is the temple of the Jesuit Monks, in the region of Kalamitsia, in a magic location in the countryside. A monk of the temple named R. Sauger, built it in the 17th century, in a way that nobody can build it the same. Pigeon''s houses, orchards, small waterfalls and a beautiful church behind it, surround the temple. The ground of the area, was famous for its fertility since antiquity, but also for the marble hidden in it.
|
|
|
Koronos is one of the widest known emery villages of Naxos and it is located approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Chora. Stone paved alleys, whitewashed courtyards, beautiful houses of island architecture with wooden balconies, steps that connect the different neighbourhoods, shadowy plane trees and poplar trees and picturesque "kafenia" (Greek traditional cafes) compose the scenery of this beautiful village. Τhe village is one of the biggest villages among those built in the island's highlands. Hidden in rich vineyards, it impresses with its interesting architecture and street layout. Within a short distance from Koronos, on the way to Lionas, you will see the emery mines, the old admirable facilities for the transportation of the mineral and the overhead railway that was once used to carry the emery mined in Koronos down to the Moutsouna harbour (the old export harbour of Koronos). Τhe overhead wagons of the 16 km long railway are visible today and are filed with the dark mineral. In addition, you will see nearby the church "Panagia Argokiliotissa" (Our Lady Argokiliotissa), which is visited by thousand of pilgrims every year, as weII as the medieval settlement Atsipapi, an agricultural landscape which reminds of other ages. |
|
As you leave Koronos and drive towards Apollonas, which is located ίπ the northern part of the island, you reach the village Koronida, also known as Komiaki. The main characteristics of the village are its rich vegetation, gardens with fruit trees, the flowing waters and the wine which is produced from the local vineyards. Ιn Koronida, there is the Mycenaean arched grave; you can easily discover it by following the signs. Leave your car at the end of the road and continue for about ten minutes οn foot. It is worth to stop also at the Byzantine church ''Agios Georgios" (St. George), which is the cemetery of the village. |
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 5 of 8 |
