Apeiranthos (or T’ Aperathou), the second biggest village of mountainous Naxos that has remained unchanged over time. This settlement that has been designated as traditional, is built in an altitude of 600-700 meters, in the eastern foothills of mount Fanari. Today, it counts 700 permanent habitants approximately. In a distance only 28 km from Chora, it is easily and quickly accessible by transport, taxi or your car. But what are all those features that you will distinguish when you visit it? You can mentally travel there through the text we edited for you.
Apeiranthos: 6+1 features that make it stand out!
1. Its Cretan routes!
The locals claim that Apeiranthos is a Cretan village that is not in Crete! Their local dialect has been preserved intact and distinct from that of the inhabitants of the rest of Naxos. In fact, in this particular village there is also the linguistic oddity with the deep “l” and “r” found only in Anogia and Mylopotamos of Crete.
2. The retro scenery!
This village conserves almost intact its form from the Venetian period. Stone built towers, such as Frankish and Chateau Zevgoli, arches and old houses compose a scene taken from the past. It is also known as the “marble village” of Cyclades, due to the marble that has been used in its houses and towers.
3. The little taverns in the central square!
The cobblestone streets of Apeiranthos lead to Platsa, its central square. Take a break under its plane trees and enjoy your coffee or your food. In its taverns you will taste meats and cheeses from mountainous Naxos, accompanied by local wine. Some of the traditional dishes worth tasting is patoudo (goat or lamp stuffed with greens and rice), pumpkin pastitsa, manoura with eggs and sefoukloti (pie with sefoukla – seskoula).
4. The church of Agia Kyriaki!
It is one of the most important monuments of Naxos, and generally Balkans. Its construction dates back to the 9th century, during the Iconoclasm period. In its interior, abstract wall-paintings are preserved, with the most characteristic in the arch of the sanctuary, depicting birds with ribbons around their necks. In the area, you will also find plenty of byzantine and newer churches.
5. Its museums!
Apeiranthos hosts some of the most important museums of Cyclades. In the Archeological Museum, you will discover findings of ancient times. In the Geological Museum, one of the largest of its kind in Greece, over 2500 rare rocks are on display. At the Natural History Museum of Apeiranthos, you will admire a huge natural aquarium, as well as a wonderful collection of 265 shells from the island. Lastly, at the Folklore Museum, you will get to know all the daily and agricultural tools of the shepherd and the Aperathites of past times.
6. The beaches around Apeiranthos!
Apeiranthos is a mountainous village. In an extremely close distance, though, you will find the bay of Moutsounas with two exquisite sandy beaches. Between Moutsounas and Panormos there is Psili Ammos beach, with a scenery that resembles Maldives, and a view of Koufonisia that are located directly opposite.
+1. The imprint of Manolis Glezos!
Manolis Glezos, or else Nolis as the locals would always call him, a hero of National Resistance, eminent politician and intellectual, left an intense imprint on his birthplace. It was him who laid the foundations for its emergence as a touristic destination. His own initiatives include the Library of Apeiranthos, the Folk Art Association, the Geological Museum, the Folklore Museum and the Visual Arts Museum. He got extensively involved with the Apeirathite language idioms, gathering thousands apeirathites words, in order to publish the Apeirathite dictionary.
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