Born around 1650, Stefanos Psarras – known to most as Loumbas – was a simple goat shepherd from Filoti. He is famous for building the first church on Naxos that has a bell tower, still a source of pride and the centre of the community of Filoti.
Loumbas lived a modest life, tending his flock on the slopes of Zas, raising four children with his wife, when one day a Turkish merchant vessel crashed near the shores of Kalandos Bay. A 12-year-old boy survived the shipwreck and Loumbas took him in, despite his poverty. He raised him as his own son until he was taken back to Constantinopolis (Istanbul). Later, Loumbas was accused of rebellion against the Ottoman authorities. He was sentenced to death and sent in chains to Constantinople. And yet, he returned. How did this happen? You can find out in the Loumbas Legend Hike.
Loumbas died around 1730, but his legend still echoes through the hills of Naxos.
The Loumbas Legend