Nas is an idyllic small village 3 km West of Armenistis, situated on the site of the ancient "Tavropolion". There are still some remnants of the temple of Artemis (patroness of sailors, hunters, and wild animals) just above the little pebble beach, where the river Chalaris flows down to the sea. The name "Tavropolos Artemis" refers to the quality of the goddess as a power of fertility and destruction as well. The modern name Nas derives from the word "naos"(temple), or from the ancient name of the goddess "Ma".
Nas was also a port of significant importance in ancient Greece, which served as a secret shelter of ships, when piracy was at his peak.
When the inhabitants moved to the hidden villages of island Ikaria to defend themselves, they obstructed access to the ancient port. Today, only a small part of the ancient harbor exists, where the visitor can still see the iron bollards to which the ships were tied. The magnificent gorge of Chalaris river is one of the most impressive ones and it is renowned for its wild beauty. A hike along the river bank is something that the visitor will never forget.
