[5] Being the largest island among the Cyclades and rich in resources, such as emery and marble, it was able to become one of the most prominent Greek city-states in the archaic period.

[5] Lygdamis was removed from power in 524 BC by the Peloponnesian League, a military alliance led by Sparta, and some of his building projects remained unfinished, famously including the temple of Apollo.

There, they were able to gain the support of the city's tyrant, Aristagoras, which led him to propose a plan to conquer the island on behalf of the Persians.

However, the ships switched sides under their commander Democritus, and fought against the Persians, helping the Greeks win the battle.

During the Byzantine period, the town was partially abandoned due to its vulnerability against frequent pirate attacks, and much of the population moved to the island's hinterland.

[7] Sanudo moved the island's capital from the interior back to its original (and current) position on the seaside.

It comprised the palace, the exterior walls, a keep, a gothic chapel (since destroyed), the houses of the Latin families and the Catholic cathedral.

Under the Ottomans, the administration on the island remained essentially as it had been in the hands of the Venetians; the Sultans' concern was satisfied by the returns of taxes.

During this period, the local islanders were able to demand and gain more rights over time, such as religious, administrative and judicial freedoms, as well as tax reductions.

Piracy was rampant during the Ottoman period, with Muslim and Christian pirates devastating Naxos and the nearby islands by destroying and looting houses or entire villages, stealing livestock and even capturing locals and selling them to slavery.

The Ottoman Empire could not deal with the pirates by force, and thus often resorted in granting them privileges and giving them titles to prevent further damage to its coastal areas.

Turkish sovereignty lasted until 1821, when the islands revolted; Naxos finally became a member of the Greek state in 1832.

Traditionally, it was inhabited by the city's merchants and artisans, and, in general, by a 'middle class' of people whose main occupation was not agriculture.

[11] The area has a high density of churches,[13] some small squares, arched passageways, and white houses, following the typical Cycladic architecture.

[13] Right next to Bourgos, outside one of the gates, there is the neighborhood of Evriaki (Greek: Εβριακή, meaning 'Jewish'), which used to be the city's Jewish quarter.

The Kastro (Greek: Κάστρο, meaning 'castle') is a fortified circular fortress built on top of a hill on which the ancient city's acropolis once stood.

The Kastro is not just a castle in the sense of a fortification, but rather it contains an entire medieval town, which is still largely preserved in its original form.

Founded in 1207 by Marco Sanudo, it was inhabited by the Venetian and Latin lords and aristocrats who ruled over the island for many centuries, with some of their descendants still residing there to this day.

[15] Nio Chorio (Greek: Νιό Χωριό, meaning 'New Village') is a district south of the Kastro, which was traditionally mainly inhabited by economically poorer peasants and laborers.

It is located south & southwest of the castle, and contains mainly residential buildings, as well as some shops, restaurants and a number of churches.

The streets of Nio Chorio are generally wider and less inclined than those at Bourgos, making them partly accessible to vehicles such as motorcycles or even cars to residents.

It facilitates transport of people and goods to and from the island by ferry, also providing a place to dock smaller vessels such as fishing boats.

The villages can be accessed by car, taxi (which can be found by the port) or intercity bus (KTEL), with the latter having more frequent schedules during the summer months.

For emergencies requiring advanced treatment, patients are transported to Athens by helicopter or ferry to receive specialized care.