Belonia Tower: The Bastion of the Two Altars, the Limestone Archive, and the Venetian Landmark

Rising with aristocratic defiance above the lush Livadi plain, Belonia Tower is one of the best-preserved Venetian fortifications on Naxos. This 17th-century bastion is unique for its adjacent two-aisled chapel, a rare architectural "handshake" between the Orthodox and Catholic faiths.

I. The Bastion of the Two Altars

Belonia Tower welcomes the visitor into a character defined by nobility and religious coexistence.

1. Origins and Ownership: Built just before 1610 by the Venetian noble Hieronymos Sommaripa, the tower eventually passed to the Belonia family and remains an inhabited private residence.
2. Architectural Coexistence: The site features a 13th-century chapel, Agios Ioannis (St. John), which contains two aisles—one for Catholic worship and one for Orthodox—symbolizing the complex social weave of Frankish lords and Greek peasantry.
3. Strategic Defense: The tower’s massive walls were engineered to survive the Ottoman expansion and the constant threat of Aegean piracy.
4. Sensory Experience: Approaching from the sun-drenched fields of Galanado, the tower’s stone shadow offers a cool, imposing silence that serves as a refuge for modern thinkers.

II. The Limestone Archive of the Lords

The "Stone Blueprint" of Belonia Tower is a masterclass in thermal mass and defensive aesthetics.

1. Thermal Efficiency: Constructed with thick fieldstone walls and marble accents, the tower maintains a refrigerated core during the August Meltemi while absorbing winter sun to radiate heat in January.
2. Defensive Geometry: The structure is defined by its machicolations ("murder holes") and decorative crenellations ("teeth") intended to protect the main entrance.
3. Specifications: A 17th-century Venetian Tower House (Pyrgospito) with an accessible exterior and flat pedestrian courtyard.

III. The Journey & The Protocol

Located 6.3 km from Naxos Chora, the tower is easily accessible via the road to Galanado.

1. Navigation: The tower emerges on the left just past the Galanado village center; roadside parking is available.
2. Accessibility: As a private residence, the interior is closed to the public, but the exterior, heraldic details, and historic chapel are viewable 24/7.
3. Attire: Standard walking shoes are sufficient, and a light layer is recommended for chilly, misty valley mornings.

The Cube's Choice: The Master of the Plain

1. The Visual Flex: The Sommaripa-Belonia Coat of Arms, carved into the stone as a signature of Venetian power.
2. The Insider Secret: The machicolations above the main entrance are aligned to drop objects on invaders while shielding the house's "Trani Porta".
3. Ritual Return: After your visit, stop at a Galanado kafenio for local house wine or Naxian potatoes to connect with the land once ruled by the Belonias.

Bibliography

1. Orinos Naxiotis. (2018). The Towers of the Livadi: Belonia.
2. Gruben, G. (1993). Venetian Architecture in Naxos.
3. Katsouros, F. (2001). The Feudal Bastions of the Sommaripa Family.
4. Hellenic Ministry of Culture. (1983). Protection Decree: Monument No. 151665.
5. Frazee, C. A. (1988). The Latin Princes of the Aegean.