"NAXOS - HOME OF ARIADNE " a Naxos - Chora (town of) Travel Page by mtncorg

The Cretan princess, Ariadne, helped Athenian Theseus to kill her half-brother, the Minotaur in return for a promise of marriage. On their return to Athens, Theseus dumped Ariadne here on Naxos. Even Athenians saw the event as lacking in honor. Athens loss was Naxos gain and she took up with Dionysos, living the life and making and drinking great wines - which the Naxians have wisely continued to do. Dionysos set Ariadne's crown into the night heavens - the Corona Borealis. Theseus must have been a little flustered by the events, for when he returned to Athens, he forgot to change his black sails to white - a signal to his father that he had succeeded with the Minotaur. His father killed himself in misguided grief.

Largest and most mountainous of the Cyclades, it is also fairly agricultural in nature, though tourism gains each year. Lemons and citrons are a Naxian specialty - kitro is a liquer distilled from the citron. The southwest side of the island is one long beach - party on. Memories from the Ancient, the Byzantine and the Venetian pasts abound. First signs of civilization go back to 3000 BC. Like on Paros, marble has a long history here - the Lions of Delos were quarried from here. There is enough on Naxos to keep you busy for a whole vacation, by itself, exploring the many villages in the interior and on the different coasts.