Italy in Photos

Via Calcide Eubea & the Port

Via Calcide Eubea and the port of Giardini Naxos together represent the meeting point between ancient history and modern life in this charming Sicilian town. Giardini Naxos, located on the Ionian coast beneath the dramatic backdrop of Mount Etna and near the hilltop town of Taormina, is celebrated as the site of the first Greek colony in Sicily, founded in 734 BC by settlers from Chalcis in Euboea. The very name of the street, Via Calcide Eubea, pays tribute to these pioneers, reminding visitors of the deep historical roots that shaped the identity of the area. Walking along this road, one traces a symbolic path that connects antiquity with the bustling life of a contemporary seaside resort.

Via Calcide Eubea runs close to the archaeological park of Naxos, where the remains of the ancient colony can still be explored. The ruins of walls, houses, and sanctuaries evoke the city’s original plan and its role as a gateway for Greek culture into Sicily. The street itself functions as a natural extension of this heritage, linking the past to the present through the everyday rhythms of local life. Lined with shops, cafés, and spaces that welcome visitors, it is at once a memorial to history and a lively part of the town’s social fabric. For many travellers, Via Calcide Eubea serves as a starting point for discovering the broader cultural and historical landscape of Giardini Naxos.

The nearby port of Giardini Naxos reinforces this sense of continuity between eras. In antiquity, Naxos owed much of its prosperity to its maritime position, which facilitated trade and contact with other Greek and Mediterranean communities. While the ancient harbour has long disappeared, the modern port preserves that maritime spirit. Today it is a hub for fishing boats, leisure craft, and tourist excursions, offering routes to Taormina, Isola Bella, and even the Aeolian Islands. The port is also a favourite spot for evening strolls, where the views of the bay and Mount Etna create a dramatic and unforgettable panorama.

Together, Via Calcide Eubea and the port embody the dual character of Giardini Naxos: a place where history and modernity meet. They allow visitors to experience the legacy of the earliest Greek settlers while enjoying the hospitality, beauty, and vitality of a thriving Sicilian seaside town. For anyone exploring the eastern coast of the island, this combination of heritage and atmosphere makes Giardini Naxos an essential destination.