An ancient castle that was used by the islanders as a fortified settlement for many centuries.

History

Herakleia is a small island between the islands of Naxos and Ios. It was inhabited since prehistoric times until the Middle Ages. During the early Ottoman period it was abandoned, perhaps because the island had become a pirates’ lair.

Later the island was the property of the Hozoviotissa Monastery on the nearby island of Amorgos.

At the northeastern coast of the island and on a low hill above the beach of Livadi there is this small castle, the construction of which is dated in the 4th century BC. So, it was an Hellenistic fort but the place remained in use throughout the Middle Ages. Apparently the local population found often refuge within the ancient walls. The original construction does not appear to have been modified or reinforced during that long period. Moreover, the Venetians who were the rulers of the Medieval Duchy of Naxos never paid any attention to the defense of the little island.

In the post-Byzantine era the island was deserted and was inhabited again in the 19th century. Most of the ruined buildings in the site are from this later period.

Sources