Creators of Naxian Hospitality - Episode # 9: Mr Nikos Moustakis, Filoti village, Naxos Island.
Filoti village is situated in the center of the island of Naxos at an altitude of about 400 meters. It is built amphitheatrically on two hills –Klefaro (on the left) and Rahidi (on the right)—as one faces it coming from the Chora of Naxos. They are at the foot of Za (“Zeus”), the tallest (1,004 meters) mountain of Cyclades, that has taken its name from the Father of the twelve Greek Olympian Gods.
In the last ten years, a systematic effort has been going on for the restoration of the old neighborhood of Fasolas, which was, for the last two centuries, the center of the commercial and social activities of Filoti.
Let’s see what the man who came up with this idea, Mr Nikolaos Moustakis, said about Fasolas’ neighborhood and the first restored building/shop “The Old Smithy”: “The “neighborhood of the professionals” of Fasola, gives a very good picture of how the economy of an island village was organized and operated in the 19th century and the first half of the 20th, but also of the human scale dimensions that characterized the places of work, as well as the dwellings. One of the first restored buildings/shops is the Old Smithy. The smithy of “Giorgos d’ Antonis”, was founded by the great grandfather of “Giorgos”, Antonis Pagidas (the refugee youngster). He learned smithcraft in the place where the Ancient Greek god Hephaistos (Hephaestus) had done, as –according to the myth— teacher of Hephaistos was the Naxiotis Kedalion (or Cedalion). This smith shop nourished –up to 1983—the four generations of the family, supplying the craftsmen of almost all professions with tools, but also with a big portion of household equipment, not only for the Filoti residents, but also for the neighboring islands.A proof of that is the “tefteri” (notebook) with all the “veresedia” (sales on credit) of the next- to last owner of “Giorgos t’ Antoni”. From the six children of the family, the relay baton of the professional tradition was received originally by Dimitris (Dimitrakis t’ Antoni), grandfather of “Giorgos t’ Antoni”. The Old Smithy is open to all visitors from the 1st of May to end of October from 10.00 -20.00. We are waiting for you for a unique journey to the past!”
For more info please visit our website: www.naxos.gr and www.naxos-filoti.gr