The Castle of Apaliros has also a long history which is inextricably linked to the pirates and their raids.
The castle is located in southern Naxos, built on a privileged bastion. It was one of the most important settlements from the Byzantine period and it is believed that the entire Byzantine city of Naxos was concentrated around it.
In 1207, after 5 weeks of siege, the castle was occupied by the Venetians and then abandoned or destroyed by them. According to tradition, Marco Sanudo destroyed it, fearing its capture by his enemies.
Today a large portion of the perimeter wall of the castle is saved. There are also ruins of houses and Byzantine churches. The most well-known of them the church of Agios Georgios (St. George).
