Agkidia can be understood both through its location and through its various historical points of reference. The village is three kilometres from the town of Naxos. In the village stands the white, two-aisled Church of Saint Charalambos; outside Agkidia and along the road between Agkidia and Naxos are other sites with early Christian, medieval and Venetian associations.
Churches in the village and beyond
The Church of Saint Charalambos is dedicated to Saint Charalambos and the Annunciation of the Mother of God. Its present form is two-aisled; it was formerly single-aisled. Its colour, architectural form and dedication describe different aspects of the same building: white is its external feature, the two aisles define its present form, and the dual dedication identifies its religious associations. The change from one aisle to two describes a specific alteration, while the dedication provides a distinct religious point of reference. Those interested in churches can thus distinguish the architecture and dedication of the church in the village.
Outside Agkidia, on the archaeological site of the Basilica of Saint Stefanos, are the remains of an early Christian church dating from the 6th century. It was dedicated to the Protomartyr Stefanos and built on the foundations of an ancient temple. The ancient foundations and the early Christian church therefore mark different historical layers at one archaeological site. This point of reference differs from the church in the village: here, the historical picture is shaped above all by the connection between an ancient temple and the later church built on its foundations.
Monastery and monuments along the road
The old «τω ΦÏαÏώ» monastery dates from the 14th century and is located on the road between Naxos and Agkidia. It played an important role in the lives of the Venetians on Naxos. This description thus links a specific century with a historical role on the island. The monastery is a different point of reference from the two churches: its medieval construction and Venetian history are what stand out.
Ancient and medieval monuments along the road between Naxos and Agkidia also include the ancient Lygdami aqueduct, a medieval well and Venetian turrets. Their period and architectural descriptions alone distinguish these sites: the aqueduct, well and turrets represent different types of historical remains. Together with the monastery, they offer a different focus from the village church or the early Christian remains at the archaeological site.
Considering Agkidia as a place to stay
The three-kilometre distance to the town of Naxos gives you a concrete point of comparison when considering Agkidia and the town as possible places to stay overnight. You can also distinguish the cultural points of reference by their location and subject: the Church of Saint Charalambos in the village, the early Christian remains outside Agkidia, and the historical sites along the road between Agkidia and Naxos. This lets you connect your choice of location with the aspects of the surrounding area's history that interest you most, without combining the different sites into a set itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Vroutsis, Kalantos, Moutsouna, Katápola, Stelida, Naxos, Aperathos, Melanes
Go to the main travel overview: Naxos.
