HolidaysInGreece Paros Island

Area:195 sq. km., Populatlon: 7,830, Capital: Paros or Parikia,

How to get there By boat from Piraeus and · Rafinan, by air. from Athens, Crete, Rhodes, linked with the other Gyclades.

HISTORY:Inhabited since prehistoric times, . Paros flourished particularly during the early Cycladic era (3200-2100 BC), though it. seems subsequently to have been deserted until the Mycenaean period.. The island attracted Minoan, Arkadian, Achaian settlers and around 1000 BC lonians. From the 8th century till thé start of the Peisian Wars, Paros experienced great prosperity thanks to its marble quarries. During the 6th arid 5th centuries it was home to a school of sculpture and arts and letters were especially cultivated Later governed by Macedonians and Romans, Paros was insignificant during the Byzantine era and was occupied by the Venetians in 1207, falling to the Turks in the 16th century. From 1770 to 1774 it was headquarters for the Russian fleet commanded by Orloff and took an active part- in the fight for independence.

SIGHTSEEING:The capital, occupying the site of the ancient city, lies on the west coast of the island. At its highest point, the former acropolis, are the ruins of a castle constructed with material from the temple to Demeter. Several Byzantine and post Byzantine churches are scattered unobtrusively thoughout the town; the most important is the impressive 4th century Panayia Katapoliani. of the finds exhibited in the archaeological . museum, the Parian Chronicle, a history of the island from the 16th century to 263 BC stands out. Ancient sanctuaries have been dicovered at Dilion (to Apollo) and on Kounado hill (to Aphrodite and Eileithyia). More Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches abound in the island's picturesque villages, while monasteries with valuable icons and wall paintings are scattered throughout.the countryside (Thapsani and Agios Antonios . monasteries, etc.). Naoussa with its white- washed houses and modern tourist facilities is one of. Paros' most charming districts. On the east coast, Marpissa with its Venetian castle and : the area of Psytopiani are worth a visit Caiques to Antiparos, the largest of the neighbouring islands (area 35 sq. km., pop. 635), leave from Pounta on the west coast Antiparos was first settled in the Neolithic era. The town is built around a Venetian castle. Its famous cave, richly ornamented with stalagmites, and the church of St John the Gave Dweller are located on the west coast. Both islands are surrounded by marvellous beaches. Paros is fully equipped. to serve tourists and combines quíet holidays and cosmopolitan surroundings.