Chalki

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Chalki

Halki or officially Halkion is a village on the plateau of Tragaia in central Naxos, 17 km away from Naxos Town. It used to be the capital of the island as well as its administrative and trade center. It is a beautiful and fertile village that stands out for the architecture of its houses, which are typical examples of neoclassicism, fact that testifies the economic strength the village experienced in earlier times. Its old mansions with the roof tiles and the classic balconies with the beautiful railings lined up in the picturesque narrow alleys as well as the flowery squares with the traditional shops and the small neat cafes, compose a beautiful scenery. Halki is one of the most beautiful and picturesque destinations of Naxos.

It is located next to the stream with the tall trees, the running water and the troughs, that were used by the inhabitants for the washing of their clothes in the old days. In and around the village there are many archeological monuments and tall Venetian towers. There are also many Byzantine churches decorated with frescoes in the area. Among the most important monuments are the Panagia Protothronos Church (6th century AD), dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin, Saint George the Diasorite (11th century AD), the church of Taxiarchis in Monoitsia (first millennium) and the tower of Barozzi or Gratsia, a majestic building built in the early 17th century by the Venetian Barotzi family. Nearby, stands also the Papadakis (Markopolitis) Tower, situated in the Acadimi village.

Due to its location (in central Naxos), Halki, was during the Byzantine period and, mainly, in the middle period, a remarkable administrative center. In recent years the village has been developed a lot. It has various shops that serve the inhabitants of the wider area. In Halki you can find tavernas and restaurants, serving local dishes with interesting flavors, made of products from the Naxian land. It is worth visiting the local distillery to try citrus, an excellent drink made of citrus leaves.

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