Church of St. Mamas

In a wooded ravine near Potamia on Naxos stands the Byzantine church of Agios Mamas, also known as Panagia Theoskepasti. It is among the oldest churches on the island, dating to the mid-9th century and probably built over an earlier Early Christian temple. An incised inscription connects its construction to Bishop Leon. The church is a cross-in-square plan with notable sculptural decoration inside and surviving frescoes. Before the period of Frankish rule (after 1207), it served as the Orthodox cathedral; the conquerors then converted it into a Catholic church. Its main name comes from Saint Mamas, the patron saint of shepherds. The church is reached by a path starting from Potamia.