Paros Sightseeing Attractions Greece

Paros offers a wide variety of attractions and sites to explore, as the island has been inhabited since Pre-historic Times. Many historical monuments have been destroyed either by the passing of time or human intervention, but several attractions have been preserved and are definitely a wonder to see.

In Parikia, the capital of Paros, you can visit the following sites:


THE CHURCH OF PANAGIA EKATONTAPILIANI (OUR LADY OF A HUNDRED GATES)
The Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani (otherwise known as Katapoliani) is the jewel of Paros Island and one of the most significant monuments of Christianity in Greece. It is situated near Parikia Port. Its history begins in the 4th century AD. During her search for the Holy Cross, Saint Helen stopped in Paros and prayed in a small shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary, promising that if she found the Holy Cross, then she would built a grand church in the Holy Mother’s name. This promise was kept by her son Emperor Constantine the Great. In the Justinian Era, it was reconstructed to include domes and vaults. During the Frankish and Turkish rule, the church was damaged and looted, while in 1773 was almost destroyed by an earthquake. Gradually, the church was reconstructed and once again took on the shape it had during the Justinian Era: a cross-shaped basilica with vaults and domes. It is comprised of the main Temple of Our Lady, the Shrine of Agios Nikolaos on the north side and the Baptismal Font on the south side. The Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani also houses the Ecclesiastical Museum, which displays rare ecclesiastical artwork, wood carvings and heirlooms from the Byzantine Era.

THE FRANKISH CASTLE
The Frankish Castle in Parikia was built in the 13th century, by the Duke of Naxos Marco Sanudo, during the Venetian Rule of the island. It had incorporated parts of Archaic and Classical Temples, of which only a section of the Archaic Temple of Athena still exists. Inside the castle there are small chapels that are built into castle walls.

THE ANCIENT CEMETERY
The Ancient Cemetery is located near the port of Parikia and is dated from the 8th to the 3rd century BC. The cemetery includes a variety of graves of many different in types and from different eras. The main attraction of the cemetery is a mass grave that dates back to the Geometric Period and is the only one of its kind in the Aegean Sea region.


THE SANCTUARY OF ASKLIPIOS
On Agia Anna Hill, located a short distance from Parikia, is the Sanctuary of the god of medicine, Asklipios. The sanctuary was built in the 4th century BC, around a spring. Remains of the Temple of Pythios Apollo also exist in the area.

THE DELION SANCTUARY
Approximately 1 kilometer from Parikia, up on a hill, is the Delion Sanctuary. The temple was the place of worship of the god Apollo of Delios. The original structure was built in the 9th – 8th century BC. Later on, in the 5th century BC, a new temple dedicated to Artemis was also built.

THE CHURCH OF AGIOS CONSTANTINOS
The Church of Agios Constantinos in Parikia is famous for its splendid architecture, its gilded, wood carved screen and unique Post-Byzantine icons.

THE MONASTERY OF LOGGOVARDAS
The Monastery of Loggovardas was established in 1638 by the monk Paleologos. It is an impressive monastery, with splendid hagiographies and icons and it includes an excellent library

THE THREE POST-BYZANTINE CHURCHES
At close proximity to Parikia, on the road towards Naoussa, are the Three Churches (Tris Ekklisies). It is a complex of Post-Byzantine churches, built in the 17th century, with marbles from ancient temples. The three churches were built on top of a Paleo-Christian Basilica that dated back to the 6th century.

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Archaeological Museum in Parikia displays a variety of objects from the Neolithic Era, the Archaic Period, the Classical Period and the Roman Era, such as pottery, marble idols, grave stones, inscriptions, marbles etc.


THE EKATONTAPILIANI BYZANTINE MUSEUM
The Byzantine Museum in Parikia is housed in the Ekatontapiliani Church and has displays of inscriptions and ecclesiastical heirlooms, such as silver and metal objects, wood carvings, religious amphorae, etc.


Other worthwhile sightseeing on Paros Island are:

THE BUTTERFLY VALLEY IN PSYCHOPIANA
The Butterfly Valley in Psychopiana, approximately 6 kilometers from Parikia, is the finest natural site on Paros Island. It is an area of lush vegetation and running waters. Visitors are amazed by this fairy tale land, where thousands of butterflies flutter all around, creating a breathtaking image. You should visit the butterflies during summer.

THE VENETIAN CASTLE IN NAOUSSA
The Venetian Castle can be found at the northern edge of the port of Naoussa. It was built in the 15th century by the Venetian Dynasty Sommaripa. Today, it is half-sunken beneath the surface of the sea. The port of Naoussa was once a safe haven for the pirates that pillaged the island.

THE CHURCH OF AGIOS NIKOLAOS IN NAOUSSA
The little whitewashed church of Agios Nikolaos, situated at the fishing port of Naoussa, is the protector of the fishing boats.

THE ANCIENT MARBLE QUARRY IN MARATHI
Marathi, a small village in the center of Paros Island, has a very special legacy; its ancient marble quarry dating back to the 3rd millennia BC. From this marble quarry, ancient sculpted masterpieces were created, such as the statues of the Aphrodite of Milo, the Maidens of the Acopolis, the Niki of Delos and the Hermes of Praxiteles, as well as the Sifnian Treasure and the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, the Temple of Zeus in Olympia and Temple of Apollo in Delos. In the quarry, visitors can see the corridors, the stoas and various inscriptions

KEFALOS HILL IN MARPISSA
Kefalos Hill is located in the traditional village of Marpissa. Upon the hill are the remains of a 15th century castle, which was built during Venetian Rule and was destroyed by the pirate Barbarosa. On the top of the hill is the Monastery of Agios Antonios. Built in the 17th century, it contains a gilded, wood carved screen and many valuable icons. If you journey up the hill, you will also be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view.

THE ANCIENT SHIPYARD IN DRIOS
The ancient shipyard is situated on the beach of Drios. Basically, they are deep grooves that are carved into large, wide rocks. In ancient times they were used as lifting devices and as shelter for ships.

THE MYCENAEAN ACROPOLIS IN KOLYMBITHRES
The Acropolis, located in Koukounaries, above Kolimbithres Beach, was constructed in the 13th century BC. After the Acropolis was destroyed by an earthquake, a Geometric settlement was built on the same spot in the 10th century BC and became a significant city till the Archaic Period. Visitors who make the effort to reach the site are awarded with a superb view.


THE CHURCH OF AGIA TRIADA IN LEFKES
The Church of Agia Triada, located on a hill above the village of Lefkes, is an impressive structure, made of exquisite Parian marble. It contains a number of valuable icons, splendid hagiographies and a icon screen, a pulpit and a bishop’s throne, all of which are made of marble. The bell towers are masterpieces of ecclesiastical architecture.

THE MONASTERY OF AGIOS IOANNIS KAPAROS LEFKES
The Monastery of Agios Ioannis Karparos, most well-known for its dream-like setting, is situated among vineyards and a variety of fruit trees (orange, cherry, lemon, peach, pear, apple and walnut trees). It is located approximately 2,5 kilometers from Lefkes village.


THE CHAPEL OF AGIOS GEORGIOS THALASSITIS IN LOGARAS
The Chapel of Agios Georgios Thalassitits was built in the 13th century AD. Several lovely hagiographies can still been seen here. According to lore, pirates used to store their treasures in the church, in an underground vault.

THE “SKORPIOS” FOLKLORE MUSEUM IN ALIKI
The “Skorpios” Folklore Museum in Aliki contains a collection of miniature sailing boats, fishing boats and ships, constructed by the artist Benetos Skiadas. It also includes a Parian house, a blacksmith’s workshop, a traditional cafeneion, a windmill, traditional weaving equipment, etc.