Castle of Heraklia #1037

Description

Nestled between the islands of Naxos and Ios lies a little island called Herakleia. From prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, people lived there. It was abandoned in the early Ottoman era, maybe as a result of the island turning become a haven for pirates.

Subsequently, the Hozoviotissa Monastery on the neighboring island of Amorgos owned the island.

This little fortress was built in the fourth century BC and is located on a low hill above the Livadi beach on the island's northeastern shore. Therefore, even though it was a Hellenistic fort, people continued to utilize it throughout the Middle Ages. It seems that the old fortifications provided frequent sanctuary for the local populace.It doesn't seem like the original building was strengthened or altered during that length of time. Furthermore, the defense of the little island was never given any thought by the Venetians who ruled the Medieval Duchy of Naxos.

The island was abandoned in the post-Byzantine era and repopulated in the nineteenth century. The majority of the abandoned structures on the property date from this latter era.