Why Visit
Where: In the Aegean Sea, part of the Cyclades island group
Why: Páros is one of the most popular holiday destinations for young people; unrivalled natural beauty, excellent tourist facilities, beaches with crystal clear waters, unrivalled Byzantine footpaths connecting traditional villages, breathtaking landscapes and pulsating nightlife make the island an unbeatable destination that guarantees a holiday to remember!
Must visit: Parikía (Parikiá), the capital of Páros, a beautiful Cycladic village with whitewashed cubic houses and impressive neoclassical mansions; Náoussa, a colourful village, where the ruins of a Venetian fortress stand at the entrance to its small harbour; Léfkes is located at the highest point of Páros and enjoys stunning views of the island. The village is set up in the mountains and is surrounded by a rich green landscape; Márpissa, a 15th century traditional village with a distinctive medieval character and the marble quarries at Maráthi, where the famous Parian marble used to be extracted.
Where to stay: depending on how much you want to spend, you can opt for a guesthouse in Hóra or in one of the traditional hamlets around the island or choose from a wide selection of major hotel complexes.
Join in with: Religious festivals are the perfect occasion for many types of festivities! If you find yourself in such an event, don’t forget to taste the sweet smelling wines produced in the island’s vineyards: Monemvassiá and Mantilariá! Join in the celebrations on August 15th when cultural events are organised around the church of Panayia Ekatontapyliani.
Hot tips for young people:
• Discover the island on horseback! There are two horse riding centres, one by the sea, at Ambelás, and one at Ystérni. Ride around the coast, along sandy beaches or take a detour inland - a great way to see for yourself some of the most beautiful spots on the island!
• Sun-drenched beaches, like Chrissí Aktí, Santa Maria and Poúnda, welcome sun-loving visitors who want to enjoy not only the crystal clear waters of the sea but also their favourite water sports, especially windsurfing!
• The beach of Kalóyeros, surrounded by red and green clay rocks, offers a really effective natural spa for free! Cover your body with the clay and let it dry in the sun; after a while rinse yourself in the sea and your body will feel softer than ever!
History
Paros has been inhabited since 3200 BC according to the excavations that took place on the islet of Saliagos, located between Paros and Antiparos. According to mythology, the Cretan Alkaios, was the first king of Paros and built a city on the site of the present capital of Parikia. During those times, Crete was trading with Egypt, Assyria and the Balkans.
Paros was an ideal place due to its strategic position (in the centre of the Cyclades) and the fertile land. The Cretans transformed the island into a naval station and gave it the name of Minoa, an honorific title given to Royal Cretan cities. In 1100 BC, the Ionians came to take the island and, after a first defeat, they managed to win the Minoans, destroyed their civilization and became rulers of the island.
Traces of the former civilization can be seen in the Mycenaen Acropolis near Kolimbithres. In 1000 BC, Paros was taken by the Arcadians. The 8th century BC was a prosperous period for the history of Paros, as the island become a maritime power and created a colony on the island of Thassos, rich in metal deposits. Apart from the economical development, there was cultural flourishing including the construction of many temples, like a temple dedicated to goddess Athena and the healing centre of Asklepieion. Paros is the birthplace of many ancient poets such as the lyrical poet Archilochus who was the first to use in his poems personal elements rather than heroic ones.
During ancient times, Paros was famous, around the Mediterranean, for its high quality semi-transparent marble, found at the Marathi Quarries. The same used to build many works of art and masterpieces such as the Temple of Apollo on Delos, the Venus of Milos, the statue of Hermes (Praxiteles) at Olympia and many others. Part of the army of Paros fought with the Persians, during the Persian wars, and was defeated by the Athenian army. In 338 BC, the island came under the rule of Philip of Macedonia and became part of the Macedonian empire. After the death of Alexander the Great, Ptolemies, Alexander's successors took control of the Cycladic island.
Some of the great discoveries from this era was the ancient pottery workshop in Tholos, with its fasinating works of art, and the ancient cemetery of Parikia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Paros became part of the Byzantine Empire and its inhabitants converted to Christianity, explaining why numerous churches, chapels and monasteries were built during those times. Among those, the most famous is the Church of Ekatontapiliani in Parikia. Considered as the most important Byzantine monument of Greece, this church is believed to have been built according to the orders of Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.
Between 1207 and 1389, Paros became part of the Duchy of the Aegean, ruled by the Venetian Marco Sanudo. In the 15th century, the Fort of Naoussa was built to protect the island from pirates. The Turkish rule succeeded the Venetians, until the Greek Revolution of 1821. After the Independence, the island of Paros, like all the other Cyclades, became part of the modern Greek State. A great part of Paros history is still featured in many parts of the island from the ancient to modern times.
Museums - Archeological
Paros is home to many museums that provide insight into the life, culture and history of the island. The island is linked to many historical periods beginning from the paleolithic times to the modern times. Thus it is no wonder that the most interesting museum in the Aegean Sea is the archaeological museum of Paros.
The museum lies close to Panagia Ekantontapiliani, one of the island's religious symbols and includes hundreds of findings from the Neolithic to Roman times. The entire history of Paros is re-created before your eyes through a vast collection of sculptures, vessels, statues and other items. If you care to visit the actual church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani you will also get a tour of the small Byzantine Museum that displays rare icons, jewellery and relics. The church of Agios Athanasios in Naoussa is also home to another byzantine collection that will impress you.
Paros is the birthplace of many artists and the art lovers will definitely enjoy visiting the Sculpture Museum in Marpissa village. The art museum showcases the fine works of a famous Parian scupltor, Nikos Perantinos. The folklore museums of Paros are scattered in the villages of Aliki and Lefkes. Visitors will have a complete view of the tools and items used by the locals in the previous century.
Beaches
Kolymbithres, Parasporos, Golden Beach, Pounda, Krios, Logaras, Santa Maria, Livadia, Ambelas, New Golden Beach, Agali, Agia Irini, Agioi Anargyri, Agios Fokas, Agios Nikolaos, Boudari, Delfini, Farangas, Fykia, Glyfa, Kalogeras, Kaminia, Katholiko, Kladia, Krotiri Aliki, Langeri, Limnes, Marchello, Messada, Molos, Monastiri, Pigadaki, Piperi, Platia Ammos, Tripiti, Tsoukalia, Voutakos, Xifara
Religious Monasteries and Churches
Every corner of Paros is adorned with cute chapels and lovely churches, attractions that create this island's unique profile. Religious sites from 16th the 17th century as well as remains of ancient temples and sanctuaries can be found around the island.
One of the most important Byzantine monuments of Greece is Panagia Ekantontapiliani (Our Lady of the Hundred Gates) located in Parikia, the capital of Paros. Every year, on August 15th thousands of pilgrims arrive to honor the miraculous icon of the Virgin. Among other post-Byzantine churches in Parikia you will find Agios Konstantinos, Panagia Septemvriani, Panagia of Stavros, Agios Nikolaos and more. Outside Parikia you will meet Longovarda monastery, the largest monastery of the island founded in 1638, while a few kilometers away from the capital lies Jesus of the Woods, a beautiful monastery built on top of the hill.
At the north side of Paros, in Naoussa you will see an equal number of churches embellishing the village, the most important being the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin standing at the highest point of Naoussa. Also worth visiting are the churches of Agios Athanasios and Agios Ioannis. In Agios Nikolaos church visitors can admire some of the historical exhibits housed in the Byzantine museum like some icons from the 13th century. On the other side of the village, on top of the rocks lies the beautiful church of Agios Ioannis Detis overlooking the bay of Naoussa. Moving a little further in the village of Lefkes is the noticeable church of Agia Triada.
