Koronos is a dramatic mountain village approximately 28 kilometers north-east of Chora (Naxos town) on the slopes of a ravine with two distinct halves facing one another between Mt. Amomaxis and Mt. Koronos, straddling an enchanting green valley full of vineyards some 540m above sea level.
The village is one of the oldest settlements on Naxos and first appears in written records c.1200 AD. It is one of the 56 municipalities into which Marco Sanudo (1153-1227), the first Venetian Duke of the island, divided Naxos.
The beauty of this village is not only its magnificent views but also the whitewashed courtyards and beautiful houses that retain the traditional island architecture, sporting wooden balconies and first-rate tavernas. A maze of stairs and picturesque alleyways connect the seven neighbourhoods, namely: Anegyrida, Kastro (Castle), Livadaki (Little field), Kato Gitonia (Lower neighbourhood), Pano Gitonia (Upper neighbourhood), Platsa (Square) and Provolakia. On one slope you will see vineyards divided by dry stone walls which provide excellent quality wine. The village also produces fine agricultural products.
Picturesque “kafenia” (traditional Greek cafes) under beautifully shady plane and poplar trees take you back in time. Almost all the aforementioned neighbourhoods have their own little central square and an old water fountain. The locals call the central square ‘Platsa’. Apart from the coffee shops and tavernas, you will find rooms to let, an eco-museum (where many events are held), a Folklore Museum (housed in a traditional guesthouse) and traditional handmade product workshops.
Before World War II, the village prospered considerably thanks to the emery mining industry. Its population then numbered about 3,000. During the German occupation the mines were forcibly shut down and a main source of income dried up, leading to death by starvation of 414 people.
By turning right about 500 metres before you get to the village, you will find the Church of Panagia Agrokiliotissa. The churches annual celebration (panagiri) takes place on the Friday after Easter Sunday with with folk music, folk dances, food and wine. Visitors are welcome to join in the festivities.
A little further out of the village at the top of Mount Koronos at an altitude of 930 metres, is the cave where Pan (assistant of the god of wine Dionysus) was worshiped. Clay statues of this deity have been excavated here.
Koronos can be reached via the island’s main road network by passing through the villages of Apollonas, Apiranthos or Kinidaros. The villages nearest to Koronos are Skado and Keramoti.
