Naxos Damalas

General information

The small village of Damalas is located in the heart of Naxos. It resides at the foot of Lagos Hill at an altitude of 230 meters and offers panoramic views of the island. The village is believed to have been named after Damaris, the Athenian who passed on the teachings of Christianity to its inhabitants. Today it houses a little over 20 people mostly engaged in farming and pottery.

Damalas is distinguished by its traditional, stone houses adorned with colorful flowers. Winding, stone-paved alleys will take you through every nook and cranny of the picturesque village and unlock its rustic beauty. One of the most impressive sights to visit while exploring Damalas is the Church of Agia Irini. This 19th-century church features a stunning white dome and beautiful frescoes and serves as the religious center of the village.

As you enter Damalas you will run into a pottery workshop that upholds the area’s pottery-making traditions and offers guests close-up demonstrations of the craftsman’s creative process. The historic Olive Oil Press is another significant landmark, dating back to the 19th century and operating until 1961. The building houses a collection of vintage tools used in oil production, serving as a time capsule of traditional olive oil-making methods.