The Church of Panagia Drossiani – the old church on Naxos

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Naxos is home to one of the oldest churches in Greek history – the Church of Panagia Drossiani. I have not managed to track down any written information which can confirm the age of the church. However, I have been told that it was built between 500 and 700 AD. The church is located approximately in the middle of Naxos, alongside what became the natural main road to us when we drove to Apollonos on Naxos’ north side. The old church can be found in the mountains about one kilometre before a little town called Moni. It is not easy to spot the church from the main road. But if you pay attention there is a tiny blue information sign which explains where the church is located. The trail up to the church starts off a sharp turn on the road. It is possible to park on the road just after this sharp turn.

 
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The entrance with a new church tower.

The church is not very big. At its longest it measures 19,4 metres and at its widest 8.07 metres. There is also a little extension. But what I find the most amazing with this church is its round shapes still typical for today’s Greek churches. The exterior has changed slightly throughout times, especially the wall with the door. From the photos we can see that this side of the church has been sanded and whitewashed. A typical beautiful Greek church tower has also been built.

 
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This shows most of the entrance. Part of the wall which runs around the church can also be seen here. Little lizards hid in this wall when we got to close. The children obviously found this more exciting than the church itself.

And typical Greek building techniques can even be spotted on the church’s backside which has not been refurbished yet. Here you can see the stone the church was originally built with. This is great! I have to admit that we fell in love with this church. It is so old yet still has all the typical Greek features which we associate with the churches of today. It is also quite unusual that it is not sanded and whitewashed. An exciting combination. I can only remember to have seen an unsanded church once before, and that was in Skopelos city.  However this church was a lot newer. I have therefore included quite a few photos of the old church on Naxos, especially photos showing its outside.

 
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The church as seen from the backside.

 
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The little extension.

 
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A refurbished church cupola, an old original cupola and a new church tower.

 
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A little graveyard is situated right next to the church.

The inside of the church is unfortunately not very interesting. One can barely see the beautiful decorations which once filled the walls. It is not allowed to use a camera with flash so the photos from the inside are few. It is however possible to buy a booklet which tells the history of the church and its decorations. The booklet is mostly written in Greek, but luckily there are a few pages in English. In this booklet there are several photographs of the wall paintings. I have taken the liberty to copy one of these.

 
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The best kept decoration in the church. I have copied this picture from a booklet sold in the church.

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Thanks to Camilla Hatleskog, London for her translation into English!
© Jan Bergtun, 5. May 2001 Updated, 07.04.2007
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