Naxos, Island

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Naxos, Lat. Naxios, Naxia, an Island of the Aegean Sea, or Archipelago, one of the Cyclades, which is also called Nicsia and Strongyle. It belongs to the Turks, and the Inhabitants pay a Tribute yearly of 6000 Piasters. It abounds with Marble and good Wines; for which reason the Ancients consecrated it to Bacchus, who there received and entertained Ariadne, when forsaken by Theseus. The Air of this Isle is wonderfull healthy for Old People. There is never a Port or Haven in this Island; and therefore the Vessels that Trade hither are forced to ride in the Haven of the Isle of Paro, about six Miles from Naxia. In this Isle are the Ruins of a Temple dedicated to Bacchus; and here is also found the Stone called Emeril, wherewith Jewellers polish their Jewels, and Glasiers cut Glass. As to the Religion of the Isle, some are of the Latin Church, and others of the Greek, and each of them have their Archbishop. Tavernier's Persian Travels. Bacchus Temple was built on a Rock, encompassed by the Sea, and joyned to the Island by a Drawbridge; the Gate of the Temple is still to be seen, and the Pipes which conveyed the Wine into the Reservatories. This is reckoned the fairest Island in the Archipelago, and was the Residence of the Ancient Dukes, who Commanded the Cyclade•. It has three Cities, Barequa, Qusa and Falet; abounds with Fruit, Cattle and Deer, and is about 84 Miles in compass. The Inhabitants have plenty of all things; but are not reckoned above 5000. Most of the Inhabitants of the Chief Town, which stands in the North-West of the Island, are Papists. It was taken by the Turks, under Soliman the Great, in 1537. since which it hath paid Tribute. The North-side is Mountainous, but the South Plain and Arable, and has the Ruins of two of Apollo's Temples, one of them now dedicated to St. Salvador. Struys, pag. 109, says, he was there in 1657, and that the City Naxia has a large and commodious Haven, capable of the greatest Ships, and lies fair for all Winds, which was not known to other Geographers, as appears by the above-mention'd Description.