Menu
Menu
In the largest and most important coastal wetland of the Cyclades, just 3 kilometres from the town of Naxos lies the salt marsh of Naxos which is a complex of different habitats that spreads over an area of 1000 acres. More than 80 species of plants have been recorded in the surrounding area.
The sea area to the north is called Laguna and is characterised by the presence of the 27-acre island of Manto, as well as the rock islands of Kleftonisia. To the east of it, the Naxos airport has been built and to the south of it begins the Livadi plain and the fields with crops. To its southwest and at a distance of only 650 meters are the three seasonal wetlands of Agios Prokopios.
In the past, this salt-pan was a coastal wetland that communicated directly with the sea, but over the years a dam was built that trapped the waters and today only a ditch connects the fresh waters with the Aegean sea.
It is a very important stop for migratory birds since due to the geographical position it is on a very long migration corridor where they find shelter, food and rest until the winged creatures of nature continue their long journey.
This period covers not only the presence of the most contemporary human beings (Homo sapiens), but also older Palaeolithic humans and Neanderthals, who had already somehow reached Naxos. It is the first time that such an old cultural activity has been confirmed in the Central Aegean, during the Middle Pleistocene period.
Hence, the Laguna area has been -and remains- an area where conditions are ideal for both culture and life to thrive. Τhe aforementioned conditions led to the formation of flora and fauna that cannot be found elsewhere in the world, consisting of rare species of plants, miraculous herbs, while at the same time it constitutes a pole of attraction for rare and endangered birds. It is easy for one to conclude that Laguna has not just been the starting point of today’s culture but also a point of life rebirth and environmental preservation, highlighting the natural way of life. The rich tapestry of the natural world will be protected, preserved and elevated. Laguna Area predates the invention of pottery and metals, since most of the findings are stone tools, dated 270,000 years ago.
The hill of Stelida, also known as Laguna area, on the west coast of Naxos, emerges as the center of the oldest known settlement and activity in the Central Aegean. A new scientific study dated some 9,000 finds from the area, discovered they spanned time in successive layers from 13,000 to at least 200,000 years ago.
This period covers not only the presence of the most contemporary human beings (Homo sapiens), but also older Palaeolithic humans and Neanderthals, who had already somehow reached Naxos. It is the first time that such an old cultural activity has been confirmed in the Central Aegean, during the Middle Pleistocene period.
Hence, the Laguna area has been -and remains- an area where conditions are ideal for both culture and life to thrive.
Τhe aforementioned conditions led to the formation of flora and fauna that cannot be found elsewhere in the world, consisting of rare species of plants, miraculous herbs, while at the same time it constitutes a pole of attraction for rare and endangered birds. It is easy for one to conclude that Laguna has not just been the starting point of today’s culture but also a point of life rebirth and environmental preservation, highlighting the natural way of life. The rich tapestry of the natural world will be protected, preserved and elevated.
Laguna Area predates the invention of pottery and metals, since most of the findings are stone tools, dated 270,000 years ago.
The ambitious plan for the development of Laguna Coast has set the regeneration of the area under discussion and environmental protection as its primary actions, understanding the needs of the contemporary era for green development.
Get in touch