Agia Aikaterini

Agia Aikaterini is a small Orthodox church dedicated to Saint Catherine, located in the interior of Naxos near the village of Apiranthos. Like many rural chapels on the island, it serves the local community and sits quietly among the hillside olive groves and farmland.

What to Expect

This is a modest single-nave chapel typical of Naxian village architecture—whitewashed stone, a simple wooden iconostasis, and icons of Saint Catherine inside. The church is usually unlocked during daylight hours, though it may be locked outside of feast days. If open, you'll find a peaceful interior with candles, a few wooden pews, and the smell of incense. The setting is rural and unadorned; this is not a tourist site but a place of local worship.

How to Get There

The church sits roughly 1 kilometer southeast of Apiranthos, accessible by a narrow paved road that branches off the main route between Apiranthos and Moni. If you're driving from Naxos Town (Chora), take the road east toward Halki, continue through Filoti, then head north to Apiranthos—about 28 kilometers total. From Apiranthos center, follow signs or ask locals for "Agia Aikaterini." There's space to park on the shoulder near the chapel.

Tips for Visiting

• Dress modestly if you plan to enter—shoulders and knees covered, as with any active Orthodox church.
• Best visited in the morning when the door is more likely to be open and the light is softer.
• Bring a small flashlight if you want to see the iconography clearly; interiors can be dim.
• Respect silence—this is a working church, not a museum. If someone is praying, wait outside.
• Check the feast day of Saint Catherine (November 25) if you want to see the church in use during a celebration.

What's Nearby

Apiranthos, less than ten minutes away on foot, is one of Naxos's most beautiful mountain villages—marble-paved lanes, small museums, and tavernas serving local goat and potatoes. The Fanari Tower and the Zevgoli Tower are both short detours if you're interested in Venetian fortifications. For a longer walk, the trail to the abandoned emery mines of Aperathou starts nearby and offers sweeping views of the Aegean.