The Venetians of Naxos
Naxos has a fascinating Venetian history dating back to the early 13th century when the island became part of the Duchy of Naxos, a Crusader state established by the Venetians after the Fourth Crusade (1204).
The Sanudo Dynasty (1207–1383).
Marco Sanudo, a Venetian nobleman and nephew of the Doge of Venice conquered Naxos in 1207 and declared himself Duke of the Archipelago.
He built the Kastro Castle of Naxos as the seat of his power, integrating Byzantine and Venetian architectural styles.
The Sanudos ruled Naxos for nearly two centuries, maintaining a feudal system with Latin (Catholic) aristocracy over the mostly Greek Orthodox population.
The Crispo Dynasty (1383–1566)
After the Sanudos, the **Crispo family** (also Venetian) took control, ruling until the Ottoman conquest.
They expanded the island’s fortifications and built towers and estates across Naxos. The Bazeos Tower (near Sangri) and the Agia Towe are remnants of this era.
Naxos became one of the Venetian empire’s key trading ports across the Mediterranean along with the islands of Crete, Corfu, Cyprus and nearby Mykonos.
The Venetians built defensive towers across the island, such as the Bazeos Tower** (17th century, later a monastery) and Agia Tower which was Hellenistic but used by Venetians.
While the rulers were Catholic, the local population remained Orthodox, leading to a unique cultural mix.
Many Naxian families still have Venetian-origin names such as “Dellaporta and “Kokkos. Some dishes reflect Venetian influence, like **”stuffed tomatoes.
The End of Venetian Rule
In 1537 the Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa captured Naxos, ending direct Venetian control. However, the Ottomans allowed some Venetian families to keep their estates under tribute.
