Those villages found roughly within the central part of the island tend to stand out from the rest of the island, in that they are uniquely characterized by their cultural traditions and their commercial activity. In point of fact, Apiranthos, Filoti and Halki make up the backcountry’s spiritual nucleus, having successfully preserved their cultural identity throughout the centuries.

The wider region is known as Tragaea, and is one of the most fertile; it is called “Little Mistras” by reason of its large number of churches. Mount Zas, the tallest within the Cyclades, lies in the vicinity of Filoti and Danakos.

The central inland residents – who are mainly engaged in agriculture and livestock production – cherish many traditional handicrafts (especially those of weaving and ceramics); and they revel in local celebrations and festivals. The major villages here are Apiranthos, Damalas, Damarionas, Danakos, Moni, Filoti and Halki.

APIRANTHOS

Location: just east of the island’s central inland area, near Filoti (about 32 kilometers from the Chora).

Description - Sights: a traditional village, distinguished by its unique mores and customs, local dialect, musical traditions, and its residents’ proclivities toward handicrafts (the women are especially revered for their weaving skills, having created in fact the Women’s Handicrafts Co-op. It is said that most of the village’s residents, who settled Apiranthos during the 17th and 18th centuries, originally hail from the mountainous areas of Crete.

The “marble village”, as it is often referred to, (its streets are marble-tiled) is built at the foothills of the Mt. Fanari (altitude 550-650 meters), between two mountain valleys. The usual name of the village is “Aperathou” and probably derives from Perathos, the old master of the land.

The village looks like it has been inhabited since ancient times, and for that reason it enjoys a rich cultural tradition. The residents have kept the classic settlements intact, such that Venetian architecture prevails. Apiranthos is famed for its traditional “kafenia” (coffee houses) and tavernas featuring good home cooking. One should certainly check out the local products including the wine – legend has it that in Naxos there was a spring that flowed with very sweet wine instead of water!

Apiranthos has many Byzantine churches, several outstanding ones of which are Panagia Apiranthitissa, Ag. Kyriaki Kallonis, Zevgoli Tower (built upon a rock), Bardanis Tower and the five museums found in the village – the Small Archaeological Museum, Museum of Natural History, Aegean Children’s Cultural Museum, Geological Museum and the Folklore Museum.

DAMALAS

Location: at the island’s central inland area, very near Damarionas and Halki (about 12 kilometers from the Chora.).

Description - Sights: a traditional village in the Tragaea area. Although the village numbers no more than 50 permanent residents, a visit is highly recommended, if only to admire the Naxian Traditional Olive Press, as well as the pottery workshop.

DAMARIONAS

Location: at the central inland area, very near Filoti and Halki (about 12 kilometers from the Chora).

Description - Sights: a traditional village in the Tragaea area. The old mansions (many of which are being refurbished these days) stand out among all the homes of the village, while the Church of Christ (with old icons and a wooden chancel screen) can be found in the village center.

The village residents busy themselves with agricultural pursuits (mainly olive tree cultivation), and with livestock production, much like most Naxians living in the central inland area. Damarionas is the village of Filikos Ioannis Paparigopoulos.

DANAKOS

Location: just east of the central inland area, near Apiranthos and Filoti (about 20 kilometers from the Chora).

Description - Sights: a traditional village, built upon a deep gorge. The area has abundant natural springs that in earlier times were used to turn watermills. And while the village is small and somewhat isolated, the locals are known for their warmth and hospitality.

Heading outwards from Danakos, you’ll find the Fotodotis Christou (“Christ the Light Giver”) Tower-Monastery (considered to be the most ancient monastery on Naxos); as well as the church of Ag. Ioannis Theologos.

MONI

Location: at the central inland area, near Halki (about 16 kilometers from the Chora).

Description - Sights: a traditional village built on a hill slope, thus offering a grand view of the Tragaea basin. Moni took its name from the temple of the Panagia (Virgin Mary) of Drosiani, once a monastery, and located just outside the village. Tradition weaving is this village’s claim to fame.

FILOTI

Location: at the central inland area, near Apiranthos and Halki (about 19 kilometers from the Chora).

Description - Sights: a traditional village, built semi-circularly at the foothills of Mt. Zas (also known as Mt. Zeus), the tallest mountain in the Cyclades. For nature lovers and aficionados of hiking, there’s the Zas natural springs at a about a kilometer’s distance from the village, from which you can follow a path leading to the Zeus’ Cave and its rare cluster of stalactites.

Don’t fail to visit the Barotsis Tower located at the village center and the two churches Panagia Filotitissa and Panagia st’ Aria. To the southeast, heading out from the village, you’ll find Pirgos Himarrou (Himarros Tower).

Filoti, one of the largest villages on Naxos Island, buzzes with activity: you’ll find shops, restaurants, cafeterias and bars. Celebrations and name day festivals are certainly a part of Filoti’s life, especially on the 15th of August (Festival of Our Lady of Dormition) where revelry and merriment go on ‘til the wee hours.

HALKI

Location: at the center of the island (about 12 kilometers from the Chora).

Description - Sights: one of the traditional, picturesque villages of Naxos. Halki is the capital of the island’s second municipality, that of Drymalia, that takes in the villages of Tragaea and the Naxian mountains; in earlier times it was the financial and commercial center of the island. Tragaea is verdant, enjoying the reputation of being the most fertile region of Naxos; dotted with churches, it gives rise to the appellation “Small Mystras”.

On the narrow back streets of village between the neo-classical mansions, the Vallindras distillery, producing “Citron” liqueur since 1896, is a stand-out: be sure to visit this neo-classical structure and take a unique tour conducted by the distillery’s personnel. Also be sure to pay a visit to churches Panagia Protothronos, Ag. Artemios (with its 9th century frescoes), Ag. Georgios Diasoritis, Gratsia-Barotsis-Fragopoulos Tower, Markopolitis-Papadakis (of Akadimos) Tower and the Ecclesiastical Byzantine Museum.

The churches of Panagia Protothronos and Ag. Georgios Diasoritis attest to the fact that during the Byzantine years, Halki was a very important administrative center controlling the island’s inland areas. Be certain not to miss out on good food at the village’s tavernas, as well as “galaktoboureko” (a traditional custard) or “glyko tou koutaliou” (fruit preserves, literally “spoon sweets”). Among the trees surrounding Halki, the remaining villages of the Tragaea come into view.