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Naxos Archaeological Museum

Naxos Archaeological Museum Naxos Island, Greece

Overview
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Located in the old castle of Naxos Town, the excellent Archaeological Museum of Naxos displays regional artifacts from the Late Neolithic period to the Early Christian era. It is especially renowned for its collection of ancient Cycladic figurines.

History
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The museum building dates from between 1600 and 1800, when the island flourished under Frankish rule. It housed the Jesuit-run French Commercial School (opened 1627), where Nikos Kazantzakis (author of Zorba the Greek) was later a student. Since 1973, the building has housed the Naxos Archaeological Museum, which has rapidly filled up with artifacts excavated since World War II.

Description
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The artifacts displayed in the Naxos Archaeological Museum range in date from Late Neolithic period (5300 BC) to the Early Christian era (5th century AD). The collection is especially strong in Cycladic figurines dating from 3200 to 2300 BC.

Also notable is the collection of pottery and other artifacts from the Mycenaean (late 2nd millennium BC) and Geometric (9th-8th century BC) periods.

There are fine views from the terrace and balconies to the hills of Naxos.