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Paros is one of the
largest Cycladic islands
(186 sq. klm.).
It is situated at 37o 5’ latitude, west of Naxos and east of
Antiparos, in the centre of Aegean sea routes and 90 nautical
miles from Pireaus.
There are frequent connections from Pireaus and Rafina, others
Cycladic islands, islands of the eastern Aegean, Thessalonika
and Crete (with ferryboats, catamarans and flying dolphins) and
flight connections with Athens and Thessalonika.
The trip from Piraeus takes 4,5 hours by ferryboat and 2,5-3
hours by fast boats.
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Paros is an island
with a rolling landscape. There is a central mountain range
Profitis Ilias (776 meters high), which leads down to hillsides
which in turn lead down to a beautiful shoreline and plains,
which are ideal for farming. This variety of scenery is one of
the charms of Parian landscape.
Paros is one of the more fertile islands of the Cyclades.
Amongst its produce is its wine (famous since ancient times)
olive oil, cereals and fruits. In recent years the production of
Parian wine, which is famous world wide, is on the increase,
using grapes from local vineyards and bottled in modern bottling
factories. Apart from farming, Parians also make their living
from fishing and from animal farming.
Nowadays tourism has changed the way of life but the local
inhabitants still maintain their traditions. Olive trees and
vines continue to bear fruit, fresh fish with its delightful
aroma still adorns the Parian dinner table and the local cheese
is a gastronomic experience.
Paros has a pleasant climate. The winters are mild with not too
much rain and the main characteristic of the summer months is
the “Meltemi”, a north wind which blows every yeas (especially
in July and August) and which can reach between 5-7 Beaufort in
the daytime, creating a cool breeze during the hot summer
months.
The subsoil of Paros is mainly made up of granite with layers of
marble. The Parian marble, the famous ‘lichnitis’, was a
material which was in great demand in ancient times because of
its ability to absorb the light and was delivered by the first
boats to other shores all over the Aegean. Famous sculptors from
ancient times used it for their work and it was a main source of
wealth for the island throughout its history.
Paros was inhabited the 4th millennium B.C. and enjoyed periods
of great economic and artistic success but also periods of
looting, violence and obscurity.
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Today, Paros is a popular place for holidays and offers the
services and facilities, which are required for the modern day
tourist. The capital of the island is Paroikia, on the Western
coast, a cosmopolitan Cycladic town. The second largest town is
Naoussa, a popular fishing area and one of the most beautiful
harbours in the Aegean. Paros also has many beautiful and lively
villages, the larger ones being: Lefkes, Marmara, Pisso Livadi,
Drios, Angeria and Aliki.
Remains from ancient buildings have been found all over Paros
and are evidence of its rich history. Sanctuary of Ancient Greek
Religion, churches from the early Christian years and fortified
monasteries are admired by the visitor wherever they do.
However the real beauty of Paros is that which is evident in the
soul of the people. Simple people, who are creative, warm,
welcoming and with an innate respect and love for their fellow
human beings.The
history of Paros over the years
The first traces of life on Paros were found on the small island
of Saliagos, between Paros and Antiparos, one of the oldest
settlements in the Aegean from the prehistoric period ( 5th –
4th millennium B.C.).
In the Bronze Age (3200-1100 B.C.) the three major civilizations
in the area of Greece were the Cycladic (3200-2000 B.C.) the
Minoan (2000-1500 B.C.) and the Mycenean (1600-1100 B.C.). On
the castle hill in Parikia remains of an early Cycladic
settlement were found and other settlements from the same period
were found in various parts of Paros (Kabos, Drios,
Koukounaries, Plastiras, Glyfa, Farangas).
During the Minoan rule in the Aegean, Paros was a commercial
centre for the Minoan State and a centre for their army. It was
also colonized by the Cretans. According to mythology, the
Cretan leader who colonized the island was Alkaios, who built
the first town where Parikia stands today and give it the name
of Minoa (the town of a King). After the decline of Minoan
Crete, the Myceneans started to gain strength on the mainland of
Greece. In Paros, a centre of Mycenean civilization was
discovered on the hill at Koukounaries near Naoussa and on the
castle hill in Parikia.
At the turn of the millennium a group of Arcadians lead by Paros
settled on the island and gave it the name of their leader. A
little while later the Ionians colonized the island and Paros
became a large naval strength. The marble business helped to
make the island rich and farming and animal farming thrived.
In 680 B.C. Parians colonize Thassos and make use of the
deposits of gold on the Thracian shores. In Paros many new
workshops opened and some of the most famous sculptures were
created. In the 7th century B.C., the art of poetry writing
flourished, one of the famous local poets being Archilohos,who
is considered on an equal footing with Homer. From the East the
Persians begin to show themselves as a new force.The oligarchic
government of Paros accepts the presence of the Persians on the
island and a large part of the army joins the Persian fleet in
the campaigns against Greece. After the defeat of the Persians
(480 B.C.) the Athenian fleet lead by Themistoklis lands on the
island and forces Paros to become a member of the Athenian
allies. The famous sculptors Agorakritos and Skopas lived during
this period and created their best works. The towm of Paros
a9where Parikia is today) had, at the time, 50.000 inhabitants,
wonderful buildings and sanctuaries, a theatre and a stadium. At
the end of the Classical Period, Paros becomes an ally of the
Makedonians until the time of the death of Alexander the Great.
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The
period between the death of Alexander the Great until the
submission of his successors to the Romans was a period of
clashes and confusion. For many years Paros is ruled by the
Ptolemeus.
Paros and the rest of Cyclades, together with a large part of
the mainland of Greece becomes a province of the Roman Empire.
Progress stops and the island was used as a place of exile.
Christianity spreads into Paros from the 4th century as shown by
the early Christian churches and monuments. This was when the
first church of Panayia (Holy Virgin Mary) Ekatontapiliani was
built. From the 10th century onwards Paros finds itself the
centre of pirate invasions, which cause extensive destruction.
Paros is a part of the Duchy of Aegean (1207) and belongs to
different Venetian families. The local inhabitants work as
serfs, using the land of local noblemen to grow crops but
without the right to own the land. During this period Paros is
troubled by private invasions and looting and Naoussa becomes a
base for the pirates. The castles in Parikia, Naoussa and
Kefalos (Marpissa) are built during the time of the Venetian
Occupation.
After the capture of the island by the pirate Barbossa (1537),
and the destruction which follows, the occupation of the
Venetians comes to an end. The devastated island is ruled by the
Turks (1560). During the time of the Russian-Turkish wars
(1770-1777), the Russian fleet users the bay of Naoussa as a
safe haven and as a starting point for battles to prevail in the
Aegean.
Paros takes an active part in the Greek revolution (1821). The
Cyclades together with the Peloponnese and mainland Greece make
up the nucleus of the free Greek State. Paros suffers
particularly during the period of the German occupation. After
the end of the Second World War Patrians were forced to
emigrate, first of all to Pireaus and later, abroad. Around 1960
the new period of economic development in Paros begins, mainly
dependant on tourism |
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Parikia The new
town
Parikia, built roughly in the centre of the west coast of Paros
around a large sheltered bay, is the capital of the island. It
is also the administrative and economic centre, the harbour for
passengers and goods and the arrival point for thousands of
visitors who flock to the island during the summer months.
It’s name, Parikia, goes back to the Byzantine times when many
of the island’s inhabitants were serfs who farmed the land
belonging to the Church of Ekatontapiliani. These people were
called “pariki”, hence the name Parikia. Slowly the “pariki”
established themselves in the old town and eventually the name
changed from Paros to Parikia.
Parikia is a modern town with all the conveniences which today’s
traveler may require. Branches of most of the Greek banks can be
found, a post office, health centres, an internet café and a car
hire and tourist offices. A wide choice of hotels and rooms to
rent and camping sites (Livadia, Krios, Parasporos) enable the
tourist to choose the most suitable accommodation. However we
advise the tourist not to risk taking the first accommodation
offered to them at the port, but instead to make previous
bookings in some of the more comfortable, quality and approved
accommodation, which is available on the island.
Exploring the town we come across lots of tavernas, restaurants
and cafes where starters are served and tasty local and
international dishes.
In the tiny streets around the Castle (the old town) and on the
beach road, there are all kinds of shops selling local and
traditional produce, including objects of Greek Folk Art.
Sunset in Parikia is a unique experience! As soon as the sun
goes down the nightlife begins. The bars, cafes, places with
live music and clubs come to life and the fun goes on into the
early hours of the morning |
Beaches
In Parikia and the surrounding area there are some wonderful
beaches, which are easy to get to. A lot of swimmers go to the
long beach on the northern side of the town at Livadia, where
there are plenty of shops catering to all needs.
The following beaches Krios (2 klm. From the centre of Parikia),
Martselo (2,5klm) and Kaminia (3 klm.), on the northern side of
the bay of Parikia, are huge sandy beaches with beautiful clear
sea. There are restaurants and bars on the beaches and all of
them can be reached by small boats (leaving at regular
intervals) from the harbour in Parikia, or by road. On the
furthest northern side of the bay of Parikia near to the
promontory Agios Fokas, is the Cave of Archilohos, one of the
famous poets of ancient times, came for inspiration.
South of Parikia, are the beaches Souvlia (approximately 105
klm. from Parikia), Parasporos (2,5 klm.) and Agia irini ( 4
klm.), all with restaurants and bars and accessible by bus or
private transport. |
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The sights
Behind the cosmopolitan façade of Parikia lies a charming town,
which takes the visitor back into it’s rich history. It’s narrow
alleyways lead to ancient monuments, small bridges, fountains,
neo-classical houses next to typical Cycladic style houses,
small churches and balconies brimming over with geraniums and
basil plants. We will try to show you the ‘other’ town by
visiting its sights.
The Castle hill
The hill of the medieval castle has been the centre of the town
from the time of the first inhabitation ( 4th millennium B.C.)
until today. This unusual castle was built for defense reasons
by the Venetian Duke of Naxos Sanoudos, in the 13th century
using parts from ancient temples. Archaeologists have discovered
that parts of three archaic and two classical temples from the
ancient town were built into the walls of the castle. The only
complete remaining piece of temple is that of the Temple of
Athena (6th century B.C.) situated on the top of the hill. Next
to the foundations of the temple part of an early Cycladic
settlement was discovered (3rd millennium B.C.). Dotted around
the castle area are houses which belonged to Venetian noblemen
and also small Cycladic houses, many of them joined onto the
castle walls and also small churches such as the Panayia of
Stavros (1514), Agia Anna, built inside the walls, Agios Markos,
Agios Stylianos and the beautiful and amazing Church of Agios
Constantinos with it’s roofed courtyard and a fantastic view
over the sea below. |
The Ancient
Cemetery
During recent excavations (1983) one of the most important
cemeteries of Cyclades was discovered which was in use from the
end of the 8th century B.C. until the 3rd century A.D. It is
situated near the harbour north of Parikia and just above the
beach road. Graves were discovered of different types over the
centuries the most important being a mass grave, which dates
back to the geometric period ( 8th century B.C.), the only one
found on the Aegean. In front of the tomb there is an enormous
shaft about 205 metres high and 88 cm. wide. The amount of
graves are an indication of the large numbers of people living
in the area at that time.
Today the cemetery resembles an archaeological park. In the
exhibition building, which is next to the cemetery, apart from
the remains on display, there are also some photographs from
some older and some more recent archaeological excavations. |
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The Public
Building or Sanctuary
The Public Building or Sanctuary was discovered in the area of
Agios Panteleimonas and covered an area of 400sq. metres in
archaic times (6th century B.C.) and was used until the 2nd
century A.D. In 1991 the body of an ancient marble statue of a
young man (Kouros) was found embedded in the wall and also in
the area, the unique statue of the archaic Gorgo (a mythological
four-legged monster), sculpted in parian marble (probably the
central part of an archaic temble). The statue, which was found
almost totally intact is on show in the museum in Paros.
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Ancient
workshops
About 150 metres from the Church of Ekatontapiliani, in
‘Tholakia’, a large group of workshops were found with six
pottery kilns, two water storage tanks and other working areas.
This was a pottery workshop, which was in use from ancient times
until the later Hellenistic period.
Pithio – Asklepeio
Following the beach road out of the town in a southerly
direction you will come to the hill of Agia Anna from the top of
which there is a wonderful view of the sea and the islands
opposite Antiparos, Sifnos and Serifos. On top of the hill a
place of worship to the god of medicine, Asklepeios, was
discovered. It was constructed in the 4th century B.C. and was
an outdoor temple built around a fresh water spring. In the same
area, there are still some remains of an ancient temple, which
was dedicated to Apollo of Pithious. |
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Dilion
North of Parikia bay on a high hill opposite Delos, a place of
holy worship was established at the beginning of the 5th century
B.C. and dedicated to Apollo of Delio. Inside an enclosed area
is an altar, a temple, which is dedicated to Artemis, the sister
of Apollo and a small area used for banquets. Also, in the area
of Delio, a Cycladic cemetery (3rd millennium B.C.) was found.
The three churches upon
the ruins of an early-christian Basilique
About one kilometer northeast of Parikia, next to the road,
which runs between Parikia and Naoussa, is the early-christian
Basilique of three churches. Originally there was a Byzantine
church built on this spot (525-550 A.D.) and later on in the
17th century three churches were built on the top of the
remains.
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Water sports in
Paros
The island of Paros is well known among the windsurfing
professional athletes all over the world. PWA (Professional
Windsurfing Association) has been organizing the world cup for
many years now, on the eastern coast of the island. Professional
windsurfers are coming here to explore the Aegean waves and
coasts and demonstrate their abilities in front of a cheerful
crowd and ideal scenery. The past couple of years certain
associations, also organize kite surfing events on the south and
west coasts of the island (Rip Curl, GWA, etc.).
The location of the beaches, all together, make Paros the ideal
place for professionals and amateurs water sports lovers. |
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