APOLLONAS, NAXOS: THE KOUROS, THE QUARRY AND THE NORTHERN COAST

Apollonas is the main seaside settlement of northern Naxos. It is a small, whitewashed village on a bay, backed by hills and an ancient marble quarry, and it is best known for an unfinished archaic statue that has lain in the quarry for around 2,500 years. Its character combines a working fishing and tourist village with a significant archaeological site on its doorstep.

Location and Setting

Apollonas lies on the north-eastern coast of Naxos, about 36 kilometres from Naxos Town and the airport, at sea level. A tourism reference records a population of about 129 to 130 residents. Administratively it is described as the port village of the settlement of Komiaki (also called Koronida), which stands in the hills above. The village is named after the god Apollo, and sources note it has been inhabited since antiquity, mainly because of the marble quarry that extends to the north and west. Remains of the ancient port have been found at a place called Marmara, and the harbour was used to export marble for as long as the quarry operated.

Today Apollonas is described as the most touristically developed settlement in northern Naxos, with white houses behind a sandy beach, rooms to let, small hotels, tavernas and cafes. It is used both for relaxing breaks and as a base for exploring the north.

The Kouros of Apollonas

The village’s principal monument is the Kouros of Apollonas, an unfinished statue of a standing male figure carved from Naxian marble in the Archaic period, in the 7th to 6th century BC and most often dated to the 6th century. It lies on its back in the ancient quarry on the hillside just above the village, about a ten-minute walk from the village according to one guide, and is reported to measure between 10.5 and 10.7 metres, with a weight given by one source as around 80 tonnes. Most sources agree it was abandoned half-finished, probably because of large cracks that appeared in the marble.

The figure was long assumed to represent Apollo, which explains the village’s name. Archaeologists now generally read its beard as evidence that it depicts Dionysus, the god of wine and a major deity on Naxos, which is why it is also called the Colossus of Dionysus. It is sometimes also called the Kouros of Naxos, although the island has other large kouroi. Visitors interested in the others can read the Kourounochori guide for the kouroi at Flerio.

Sources are not consistent about a second, smaller kouros. One tourism guide says that a 7-metre unfinished statue lies higher in the village and that others have been stolen; an academic reference states that another kouros was removed from the Apollonas quarry in 1834 and taken to the museum in Athens, and that another smaller one from Flerio is in the Naxos museum. The surviving evidence for any second statue at Apollonas should therefore be confirmed locally. Access to the quarry is on foot or by a rough road above the village, and ticket or opening arrangements, if any, are not formally published in the sources reviewed.

Kalogeros and the Castle

The mountain that rises above the village is called Kalogeros (“the Monk”), and is regarded as a local symbol almost as much as the Kouros. On the hilltop above the inlet are the ruins of a fort, known as the Castle of Kalogeros, which is described as having been used from prehistoric times through the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Remains include a prehistoric tower with Cyclopean walls and Byzantine structures such as towers, rooms and cisterns. The hilltop is not an organised site, and visitors should expect uneven ground and limited signage.

The Beach

The beach at Apollonas is a long strip of sand, described by one guide as a mixture of golden sand and marble pebbles, the latter a reminder of the quarry above. The water is described as clear and the beach is described as suitable for families. Beach facilities and conditions vary by season, and sea conditions on the north coast can change, so they should be checked on the day. A small stream near the village is mentioned as a place for short walks.

Feasts

Two events are recorded in local guides. The Fishermen’s Feast takes place on 28 June, when the waters and boats are blessed, followed by a celebration. Agios Ioannis is the village’s patron saint, celebrated on 29 August with vespers on the eve, a procession with the icon and a traditional feast in the tavernas. Dates should be confirmed locally.

Visiting Apollonas

Apollonas is reached by car or taxi from Naxos Town along the road into the north-east; public bus services are seasonal, and routes and timetables should be checked at the terminal in Naxos Town. The drive passes through the interior of the island, and the inland villages, including Koronos (Koronos guide), Skado (Skado guide) and Keramoti (Keramoti guide), are natural stops. The marble quarries near Kinidaros are covered in the Kinidaros guide, and another Archaic marble monument is described in the Sangri guide. The village can be seen in a few hours, with a longer stay for the beach and the walk to the Kouros. Because the quarry and the castle are unsupervised outdoor sites, sturdy footwear, water and sun protection are advisable.

Quick Answers

What is Apollonas known for? It is known for the unfinished Kouros of Apollonas, its ancient marble quarry and port, and a long beach on the north-east coast.

How far is Apollonas from Naxos Town? About 36 kilometres.

Who does the Kouros of Apollonas represent? It was long thought to be Apollo, but its beard leads most archaeologists to read it as Dionysus.

Why is the Kouros unfinished? It was most likely abandoned because large cracks appeared in the marble during carving.

Apollonas shows how much of ancient Naxos’s marble trade is still readable on the ground: a quarry, an abandoned colossus, the remains of a port and the hilltop above them, with a small modern village on the bay below. For planning a stay on the island, see the fabnaxosvillas villa portfolio and the guide to getting to Naxos.