Paraporti gate of Naxos Castle #1027

Description

Located on a small hill near the sea, the Castle of Chora is situated in the northwest region of the island. Its location gave it control over the harbor and the Paronaxia Strait's northern entrance.
Not long after 1207, the Venetian lord Marco Sanudo erected the fortress.
Sanudo took part in both the Fourth Crusade and the Latin capture of Constantinople in 1204. Enrico Dandolo, the Doge of Venice, was his nephew.

The terrible Partitio Terrarum, the division of the Byzantine territory, was the result of an agreement among the Crusaders. But the Cyclades islands were left out of the accord. Sanudos chose to take control of the islands on behalf of Venice after spotting an opening.

According to certain chroniclers, Sanoudos traveled to Venice in 1205 and requested approval for the project from the Venetian Senate. However, it is more likely that Sanoudos gained favor following the prosperous conclusion of his audacious endeavor. That being said, the Venetian government not only provided coverage for Sanudos but also inspired other Venetian explorers to carry out like missions throughout the Aegean.