The Bazeos Tower was built around 1600 (with some sources mentioning 1671), initially joining the tower-monasteries of Naxos as the Monastery of the Holy Cross, the Bazeos family adopted and continued this very tradition of the island’s lords.
From Monastery to Family Property
The Tower’s initial operation as a monastery lasted until the early 19th century. After its abandonment by the last monks, the monument became the property of the newly established Greek state. For several decades, the space hosted workshops and residences of potter families, maintaining a connection with local crafts and life.
The pivotal moment in the history of the monument came at the end of the 19th century (around 1890), when the Greek State sold the building. At that time, the Tower was purchased by the Bazaios family.
From that moment on, the Tower functioned as the family’s summer residence, while at the same time serving as a center for collecting agricultural products from the area’s estates, faithfully following the model of the agricultural organization of Naxos society.
The Renaissance of the Monument
The modern history of the Bazaios House and its greatest contribution to the culture of Naxos is directly linked to the current descendant of the family, Georgios Marios Bazaios.
Fully realizing the historical value and architectural significance of the building, Marios Bazaios undertook the difficult task of restoring it. In 2000, the first phase of the work was completed, exclusively with private resources, with the aim of not only preserving, but also actively integrating the Tower into the modern life of the island.
Thus, since 2001, the Bazeos Tower has operated as a living cultural space, under the management of a non-profit organization.
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