Marble carving is one of the oldest and most prestigious arts on the island. Its high- quality marble has been used since ancient times to create sculptures, monuments, buildings and decorative items. Today there are many workshops and studios where visitors can admire the work of skilled craftsmen and women. Some of the most
famous examples of marble carving on Naxos are the Portara, the colossal gate of an unfinished temple dedicated to Apollo, the Kouros of Apollonas (a giant statue of a young man lying on the ground) and the Venetian Castle, a medieval fortress built with marble blocks from ancient temples.
