About 28 kilometers from the Chora of Naxos, at the foot of Mount Fanari, you will find the picturesque village Apeiranthos. This is a traditional village with Venetian towers, two-storey houses and narrow stone-paved alleys.
Highlights of this incredible village include Zevgolis Tower dating back to the 17th century, the church of Panagia Apeiranthitissa and the Archaeological Museum.
Have you ever visited the village Apeiranthos on Naxos?
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For more information visit the website www.naxos.gr
Traditionally all over Greece (and the Balkans as well) the last weekend of the Triodion, that leads to the Lent is full of events and festivities where people celebrate the end of the Carnival (Apókries). These celebrations are the most renowned pagan remnants, glimpses of a past lost in the dawn of ancient European communities. In Greece, during the carnival festivities, people, especially those residing in remote and isolated places, become emancipated from the everyday strict “orthodox” and religious requirements and manners, release them selves from their conventional burdens, disguise, dance and drink in frenzied parties directly connected to primeval chthonic feasts for Dionysus and Persephone revelling the rebirth of Spring.
That is the case in Apeíranthos, a mountainous and isolated village, quite far from the coasts of Naxos, whose traces are lost literally in prehistory. Naxos is the central and largest island of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea, an island that once was the capital of the Duchy of the Aegean, during the Frankish rule in the middle ages (1204-1579). The island, despite its size, is self-sufficient, while the local populace is still bound to the earth and extensively cultivates the land and grows livestock, producing exquisite commodities, many of which are granted the status of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
During the last Sunday of the Carnival the so called Tyrinē (cheesy), the youths of Apeíranthos (many of them shepherds) parade through its alleys, wearing heavy linen capes from which they hang the largest of the metal bells of their goat herds around their waists, and cover their heads with scarves and caps, swinging long sticks carved from elderberry (Sambucus nigra) or koufoxiliá [κουφοξυλιά]. The disguised youths, named Koudounátoi (bell-bearers), represent a direct reference to livestock breeding, a ubiquitous vocation of the local populace of this village. The nearly unbearable rattle of Koudounátoi serves the ancient need of shepherds to cast out evil spirits, those ancient superstitions that are still interweaved in animal husbandry traditions, connecting the present mountainous communities with the primeval Dionysian mysteries, the followers of Dionysus and the perennial exigency of humans to interpret and personify Nature.
More info on this exquisite custom of mountainous Naxos can be found in this link, in Greek though
Apeiranthos is a beautiful mountain village of Naxos, the Cycladic island of Greece, seemingly untouched by time, still bearing as it does the marks of the Venetian era.
From afar, Apeiranthos looks like a fortress, perched at the foot of Fanari mountain almost 26 kilometers (16 miles) from Chora, the main town of the island.
It boasts magnificent views of the Naxos mountain ranges. As the locals say, while at Apeiranthos, there is no way of telling that you are, in fact, on an island. The feeling one gets is more that of a northern mainland Greece village than that of a Cycladic Island.
This is partly due to its architecture and stone built houses but mainly due to its altitude, as the centre of the village is located at approximately 600m from sea level.
...Apeiranthos is also the place where Manolis Glezos, the Greek left-wing politician, journalist, author, and folk hero, best known for his participation in the World War II resistance, was born and raised before his family moved to Athens.He is best remembered for taking down the Flag of Nazi Germany from the Acropolis during the Axis occupation of Greece, along with Lakis Santas.
Apeiranthos is a beautiful mountain village of Naxos seemingly untouched by time, still bearing as it does the marks of the Venetian era.
From afar, Apeiranthos looks like a fortress, perched at the foot of Fanari mountain almost 26 kilometers (16 miles) from Chora, the main town of the island.
It was built by Cretans in the 9th century, with its inhabitants being a mix of people from Crete and Asia Minor. It is said that there was a Naxos, or Axos, in ancient times in Crete, but this is not a confirmed fact.
The village has a local Greek dialect that is different from the rest of Naxos. The same applies to customs and traditions that date centuries back, with locals refusing to give them up.
There are 1,024 Apeiranthos residents at the moment and they show that the village has been a place where the letters and arts, weaving and the art of politics have flourished. The village has no resemblance to the rest of the Cycladic islands.
Have you ever visited the Geological Museum in Naxos?
It is located in the village Apeiranthos and has free entrance for everyone.This is an amazing opportunity to learn more about local geology and the various geological units of Naxos and the South Aegean.
Did you enjoy your visit to the Geological Museum?
Post your photos in the comment section below!
For more information visit the website www.naxos.gr
