Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Halki Χάλκη
To visit Naxos and not visit Halki would be a crime. This historic village is a vivid re-
flection of historic Naxos, with the handsome facades of old villas and tower houses, a
legacy of its wealthy past as the island's long-ago capital. Today it is home to a fascinat-
ing collection of shops and galleries, drawing artists and culinary wizards. Halki lies at
the heart of the Tragaea mountainous region, approximately 20 minutes' drive from
Hora.
The main road skirts Halki. In summer it is not permitted to park on the main road;
there is parking to the right in the dried-up riverbed, reached just after the bridge coming
from Hora, along with parking (summer only) in the schoolyard at the top of the village.
Lanes lead off the main road to the picturesque square at the heart of Halki.
Paths and lanes radiate from Halki through peaceful olive groves and flower-filled
meadows. The atmospheric 11th- century
Church of St Georgios Diasorites
lies a short
distance to the north of the village. It contains some splendid frescoes.
Sights & Activities
Vallindras Distillery
DISTILLERY
( 22850 31220; 10am-11pm Jul-Aug, 10am-6pm May-Jun & Sep-Oct)
The Vallindras Distil-
lery in Halki's main square still distills
kitron
the old-fashioned way. There are free tours
of the old distillery's atmospheric rooms, which contain ancient jars and copper stills.
Kitron
tastings round off the trip.
Fish & Olive
GALLERY
(
www.fish-olive-creations.com
)
This gallery displays the exquisite work of Naxian potter
Katharina Bolesch and her partner, artist and craftsman Alexander Reichardt. Each piece
of work reflects ancient Mediterranean themes of fish and olives, motifs that frame the
edges of shining plates, tumble down the sides of elegant jugs and bowls and dart across
platters. The artists' work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, at the
UN Headquarters in New York and the Design Museum of Helsinki. The gallery also
hosts exhibitions by other local and international artists.
Phos Gallery
GALLERY
( 22850 31118;
www.phosgallery.gr
; May-Oct)
See the island through the lens of talented
photographer Dimitris Gavalas. Stunning landscapes - most of Naxos - grace the walls
of this gallery, along with a handful of conceptual prints.
