» History Two distinct periods characterise the history of Giardini Naxos: the first relates to Naxos as Greece’s first colony in Sicily, while the second concerns “Borgo delli Giardini”, the town which became an autonomous municipality in 1847. Naxos, the first Greek colony in Sicily, was founded in 735/734 by the Athenian, or perhaps Chalcidian, general Teochles, and soon became the first connecting port between Greece and its colonies. It is believed that when Greeks first landed in the bay, they erected an altar to Apollo Archégetes, protector of distant travellers. Surrounded by luxuriant vineyards and olive groves, the city rapidly grew into a centre of religious pilgrimages, thus becoming increasingly affluent. C'est ainsi que se termine l'histoire de la première colonie grecque de Sicile, après plus de trois cents ans d'existence. Au cours des années qui suivirent, la baie et le territoire l'entourant furent habités par des pêcheurs et de petits groupes de paysans. En 700, le territoire qui pendant ce temps était devenu un quartier de Taormina, fut appelé “il borgo delli Giardini” (le bourg des jardins) à cause de la présence de nombreuses orangeraies et citronniers (dans la zone touristique actuelle de Recanati). Le premier janvier 1847, le roi Ferdinand II de Bourbon concéda son autonomie au Bourg, le faisant ainsi devenir une commune du nom de Giardini. La ville fut nommée “Giardini Naxos” à partir de 1978 quand, au nom historique de “Giardini” fut ajouté celui de “Naxos” en souvenir de la première colonie grecque en Sicile. Située au niveau de la mer à l'intérieur d'une baie suggestive qui part de Cap Taormina et se termine à Cap Schisò, historique petite péninsule d'origine volcanique, territoire de Naxos, la ville est aujourd'hui une des principales stations touristiques italiennes grâce à sa splendide position géographique. La ville est située en pleine nature, à peu de distance de la réserve naturelle du fleuve Alcantara et dominée par le très suggestif Mongibello ou encore l'Etna, majestueux volcan. Elle se trouve à moins d'une heure de l'aéroport international de Fontanarossa (Catane) et il est possible de s'y rendre aussi bien à travers la ligne ferroviaire que par l'autoroute A 18 depuis les villes de Catane et Messine qui se trouvent à une quarantaine de km. Because of its alliance with Athens, Dionysius of Syracuse, Sparta’s ally, managed to storm the city and destroy it during the Peloponnesian War. Naxos inhabitants managed to escape death and captivity by seeking refuge within other friendly colonies situated in the Island’s interior. The war put an end to the history of Greece’s first colony in Sicily after 300 years. In the following years, small farmers and fishermen inhabited the bay and the surrounding area. In the 18th century, such area, which in the meantime had become a district of the city of Taormina, took the name of “Borgo delli Giardini”, due to the presence of numerous orange and lemon groves (today’s tourist area of Recanati). On January 1, 1847, King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies granted the burg its autonomy and its status as a municipality: the city took the name of Giardini. The city adopted the current name of “Giardini Naxos” in 1978, when Naxos was added to Giardini to commemorate the first Greek colony. Located on the sea level, in a bay running from Capo Taormina and Capo Schisò, the famous volcanic peninsula on which Naxos is situated has become one of the most renowned tourist destinations in Italy due to its geographical position. Today the city is surrounded by nature, only a short distance away from River Alcantara natural reserve, and dominated by Mongibello, the famous Etna volcano; Giardini Naxos is less than an hour drive from Catania’s Fontanarossa Airport; the city offers several train connections and can be reached by car via the A18 motorway from both Catania and Messina, which are only about 40 Km away. Giardini Naxos extends over a surface of 5.39 Km, with a population of 8.695. The city’s economy, once based upon craftsmanship, agriculture and fishing, now relies on tourism, offering numerous restaurants, bars, lidos and over 50 hotels . Every year tourists choose Giardini Naxos to spend a relaxing holiday surrounded by natural beauties and history. Today one can admire the remains of the ancient city and walk through the 10-hectare Archaeological Park and visit the annexed Naxos Museum. Nowadays, Giardini Naxos is one of the most important tourist destinations nationwide, with thousands of visitors from all over the world.