Giardini Naxos

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Giardini-Naxos-Stemma.gif
img_coa_small = yes
official_name = Comune di Giardini-Naxos
name = Giardini-Naxos
region = Sicily
province = Province of Messina (ME)
elevation_m = 0
area_total_km2 = 5
population_as_of = 2004
population_total = 9768
population_density_km2 = 1743
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|38|3|0|N|14|35|0|E
mapx =
mapy =
frazioni =
telephone = 0942
postalcode = 98030
gentilic = Giardinesi
saint = Maria SS. Raccomandata
day = september 8
mayor = Salvatore Giglio (since May 27, 2003)
website = [http://www.comune.gardini-naxos.me.it/ http://www.comune.giardini-naxos.me.it/]

Giardini Naxos is a comune in the Province of Messina on the island of Sicily in Italy. Today it is a popular seaside-resort.

Ancient Naxos

Founded by Thucles the Chalcidian in 734 BCE, it was never a powerful city, but its temple of Apollo Archegetes, protecting deity of all the Greek colonies, gave it prominence in religious affairs. Leontini and Catania were both colonized from here. Hippocrates, tyrant of Gela, captured it in 494 BCE. Its opposition to Syracuse ultimately led to its capture and destruction in 403 BCE at the hands of Dionysius the tyrant, after it had supported Athens during that city's disastrous Sicilian Expedition. Though the site continued to be inhabited, most activity shifted to neighbouring Tauromenium.

Tourist resort

Prior to the early 1970s Giardini Naxos was a quiet fishing village. Now it is a popular tourist destination, famous for its beaches , the Ionian Sea, and its small, but bustling fishing port. It attracts foreign visitors and Italians alike, many of whom own summer residences in the comune. The seafront, Via Tysandros, is lined with hotels, smaller pensions, pubs, restaurants and pizzerias.

The public beaches and lidos are quite crowded in the months of July and August, especially around "Ferragosto" which occurs on 15 August and people celebrate this event by camping on the beach in tents and running into the sea at midnight for a swim with an accompaning display of fireworks. Lifeguards are provided by the Comune and are posted at regular intervals along the beaches. Besides swimming and boating, there is plenty to do and see in Giardini. There are shops, discoteques, Karaoke bars, strolling musicians wearing traditional Sicilian costumes, live bands, theatrical productions, and impromptu dancing on the beaches at night.

The beautiful town of Taormina is situated in the hills above Giardini and can be easily accessed by car and bus. Giardini also has many churches and an archeological park.

External links

* [http://www.comune.giardini-naxos.me.it/ Official site] it icon