Paros Antiquities to See

Paros Villa Rentals Greek vacation rentals

Beautiful Greek Island Villa Rentals, Vacation Homes & Holiday Houses

ǀ Paros Villas Home ǀ Search for Paros Villas ǀ About Us ǀ Villas in Europe ǀ Reservations ǀ EMAIL ǀ

Paros Antiquities to See:

Paros Venetian Castle Ruins, Paroikia The site of the Medieval Castle has formed the nucleus of civilization on the Island of Paros since the 4th Millennium B.C. and still stands proud sentinel above the main town of Paroikia. The Castle itself was built by the Venetian Duke of Naxos, Sanoudos (13th Century A.D.) using various remnants of ancient structures. Archeologists have determined that incorporated within the walls of the castle are elements of three ancient and two classical temples from the ancient city. Of those temples only a small chamber of the Temple of Athena (6th Century B.C.) has been saved, situated at the top of the hill. Near the foundations of what was the temple a portion of a Pre-Cycladic settlement has been discovered. When exploring the Castle you encounter many tiny churches, many built right into the walls: Panaghia of the Cross (1514), Agia Anna, Aghios Markos, Agios Stylianos and the architectural gem of Aghios Konstantinos with its covered portico, graceful arches and stunning view of the sea. It ranks among the most beautiful churches in the Aegean.
Ancient Cemetery of Paros During recent excavations (1983) a significant gravesite was discovered that was in use from the late 8th through the third centuries B.C.. The cemetery was discovered near the port right next to the waterfront road. It holds a variety of grave types dating to different periods. The most significant find was a Polyandrio (group grave), unique throughout the Aegean and dating back to the late Geometric Period (8th Century B.C.). Marking the Polyandrio is a huge grave stele. Today the site is maintained as an archeological park with an accompanying display of interesting relics as well as photographs of the early as well as the most recent excavations.
Asclepiou, Ancient Site of Worship of God of Medicine Along the waterfront road heading south and up the hill of Agia Anna a site of worship of Asclepius, the God of Medicine was discovered. The structure dates back to the 4th century B.C. and consists of an open-air temple built around a spring. In the same area there are also remnants of an ancient temple dedicated to Pythion Apollo.
Delio Ruins North of the Bay of Paroikia, atop a high hill overlooking the Island of Delos (near Mykonos) a center of worship for Delion Apollo was established in the early 5th century B.C.. The site consisted of a courtyard and altar, a temple dedicated to Apollo’s sister, Artemis, and a small area for symposia. Near the site a Cycladic cemetery was discovered dating back to the 3rd Millennium B.C..
Ancient Christian Basilica The remnants of the three churches are located approximately 1km north-east of Paroikia, next to the Paroikia-Naoussa road. The original Byzantine cathedral existed from 525 to 550 A.D. The three later churches were built upon the ruins in the 17th century and much of the marble used in their construction was taken from the ruins of ancient temples and other structures.
Venetian Castle, Naoussa Harbor The old and partially submerged Venetian castle still stands protecting Naoussa Harbor's North Entrance and is just a few short steps from the modern cafes, nightclubs and classic fish tavernas that line the lovely harbor of Naoussa. It was erected in the 15th century and much of it still stands in the bustling and beautiful little harbor today.
The Kefalos Hill Kefalos Hill looms to the east of Marpissa with the 17th century monastery of Agios Antonios at its peak. The hike from Marpissa to the monastery (approx. 30 minutes) is one of the most interesting walks that Paros offers. Before you reach the peak you encounter pure white stones, what remains of the Venetian castle and the annihilated city of Kefalos. This is where the final act of the Venetian Occupation was played out in 1537 when the infamous pirate, Barbarossa sacked the castle driving out Sommaripa’s Venetians. Among the rubble are the remains of tens of small churches that were destroyed and plundered. When you reach the peak you can admire the monastery with its old icons and its impressive iconostasis sculpted in wood and gold leaf. The view of eastern Paros is bewitching. The monastery is only open in the morning during the summer months.
Butterfly Valley (Petaloudes Vallley) Approximately 5km south of Paroikia, on the Paroikia-Alyki road, a fork to your left will lead you to the area Psychopiana where the “Christ of the Forest” Monastery is located. Just west of the Monastery is the “Butterfly Valley”, one of the most significant biotopes in Greece. With its running springs and amazing array of foliage this valley provides the ideal eco-system for the hundreds of butterflies that populate the area during the summer months.
Ancient Marble Quarries Some of the most renowned sculptures and marble buildings in the world were carved out of Paros marble, considered among the world's finest, including the Venus de Milo and Napoleon's tomb, as well as classical statues by Pheidias, Agorakritos, Praxitelis, and Scopas. At the 4th km along the Paroikia-Lefkes road you encounter the village of Marathi, a green and fertile locale with white houses and three small churches. Just past the eastern end of the village is where the ancient quarries are located. This is where the famous Parian marble was carved out of the mountain, the main source of the island’s wealth throughout its long history, but particularly during the Classical Age. The valuable characteristics of Parian marble are its purity and luminosity. It is stone that light can literally pass through, even up to a thickness of 3,5cm (the renown Kararas marble of Italy maintains luminosity up to a thickness of 2,5cm, while the marble of Penteli in Attica only 1,5 by comparison). The marble of Paros has been the material of choice for some of history’s most gifted sculptors: Pheidias, Agorakritos, Praxitelis, and Scopas to name a few. An abundance of ancient art masterpieces were made from Parian marble: the Venus d’ Milo, Hermes by Praxitelis, the “Kores” from the Acropolis in Athens, the Nike and the Temple of Apollo on Delos, the Temple of Apollo and the Treasury of the Sifniotes at Delphi, and the Temple of Zeus in Olympia. It is estimated that 70% of the sculpture that was created in all the regions around the Aegean Sea was made from Parian marble. They called it Lignite because it was mined from passages dug deep into the mountain by lamplight. The tunnels and passages are still intact, as are epigraphs left by the ancient artists and craftsmen, today their exploration is possible via two different entrances. These quarries were already in operation as early as the Pre-Cycladic Period (3200 – 2000 B.C.) and were in use until the end of the 19th century A.D.
The Archeological Museum of Paros In 1960 a large hall was built next to the Middle School in order to house the antiquities found on Paros that theretofore were stored in the cells of Ekatontapyliani. The second hall was built at the end of that decade and in 1995 construction began again and the Museum was extended to its present dimensions. The collections it contains: Hall A: Sculpture of the Ancient and Classical Periods. Hall B: Small ceramic and sculpted artifacts from the Neolithic, Proto-Cycladic, Mycenaean, Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. Courtyard: Sculpture, architectural elements, internment urns/sarcophagi and a mosaic floor from the Roman Period. Some of the most significant exhibits: A 6th century B.C. Gorgon sculpture 1,35m high, in nearly perfect condition. It was a central feature of a temple. Found in 1993, during excavations of an ancient public building. (museum cat. # 1285) Two marble relief sculptures from a monument to Archilohos, late 6th century B.C.: One shows Archilohos lying in state, the other a bull being ravaged by a lion. Both pieces were found incorporated in the flooring of the courtyard of Ekatontapyliani. (cat. # 758-759) A colossal marble statue of Artemis (490-480 B.C.) from the Delion Temple on Paros, 2,74m(including plinth). It is a votive sculpture in the fashion of the Archaic “Kores” wearing a tunic. (cat. # 1251) A marble Nike, 1,35m, missing the head, arms and wings dating to 470 B.C.. Found in the Castle of Paroikia. (cat. # 245) A marble statue of an enthroned Goddess, 1,57m missing the head and the arms. Discovered in 1885 by Lowey in the region of Agkairia. (cat. # 162) A marble Ionian column head from the 6th century B.C., with the crown of a column dedicated to the monument to Archilohos with an extant epigraph referring to the establishment of the monument by Dokimo in the 4th century B.C. (cat. # 733) Neolithic feminine idol sitting cross legged with her hands under her breasts (height of the remains 0,055m). Found on the island of Saliagkos, between Paros and Antiparos. (cat. # 886) Marble statue of a “Kore” in a tunic, 0,86m, 6th century B.C., found in the Protoria of Naoussa. (cat. # 802) The lower portion of a “Kouros”, 0,81m, 3rd quarter of the 6th century B.C.. Parian chronicle epigraph containing historic, religious and philological information from prehistoric years until 264B.C.. One of the plaques has been retained in Paros, two others are in Oxford.