Sights – Paros Easy Booking

Byzantine Route

parosgt — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 00:20:46 +0000

In medieval times, a stone-paved road connected the inland villages of Paros-Prodromos, Lefkes and Marathi with the coast. Modern roads have bypassed this historic route, and it has now been left to snake its way between stone walls and along ravines all the way from the mountains to the sea.

This 10 km trail passes by the old ruins of stone buildings, hidden fruit orchards and imposing stone windmills. Replacing the dried seeds of summer, tiny white narcissus and crocus flowers pave the way and your footsteps fill the air the fragrant smells of Oregano and Thyme. Weird and intricate flower beds seek the wanderer’s attention and it’s not at all unlikely to find yourself literally among the men who stare at goats as the road is frequently used by them. Cows and sheep along with the sound of their bells are a bonus!

Photos of Byzantine Route

Path of Byzantine Route

The post Byzantine Route appeared first on Paros Easy Booking.

Archaeological Museum

parosgt — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 00:18:56 +0000

The museum was founded in 1960 in order for it to house antiquities which until then were kept in the cells of the Katapoliani monastery.

The museum contains the following collections:

Hall A: Sculptures of the Ancient and Classical Periods.
Hall B: Small ceramic and sculpted artifacts dating from the Neolithic, Proto-Cycladic, Mycenaean, Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods.
Atrium: Sculptures, architectural elements, internment urns/sarcophagi and mosaic floor from the Roman Period.

Some of the most significant exhibits are:

A 6th century BC Gorgon sculpture approximately 1,35m high, in nearly perfect condition. The sculpture was the central feature of a temple. Found in 1993, during excavations of an ancient public building.
Two marble relief sculptures from a monument to Archilohos, late 6th century BC: 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.
A colossal marble statue of Artemis (490-480 BC) from the Deleon Temple on Paros, 2,74m (including plinth). It is a votive sculpture in the fashion of the Archaic “Kores” wearing a tunic.
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.
A “Parian chronicle epigraph” containing historic, religious and philological information ranging from prehistoric years up until 264 BC. One of the plaques is exhibited here on Paros and the two other remaining in Oxford.

Photos of Paros Archaeological Museum

Location

The post Archaeological Museum appeared first on Paros Easy Booking.

Asclepeion Temple

parosgt — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 00:17:15 +0000

Near the south edge of Parikia lie the ruins of Asklepeion, a temple dedicated to the god of medicine Asclepius. In the surrounding area you can find the sanctuary of Apollo Pythios and the sanctuary of Demeter Thesmophoros.

The temple is a rectangular construction of the late classical period (4th century BC), its total surface is 45 m to 15 meters all of which still stands today. The temple at its narrow side had tunnels and the most worshiping took place at an altar located in the middle of the open temple. At the same location traces were discovered of another temple which was dedicated to Pithius Apollon.

All around the site there are scattered architectural elements and artifacts, you can walk amongst the ruins of the ancient temples carved from white Parian marble like the large fragments of Doric style columns. It is easily accessible and you can get there by following the ring road from Parikia heading towards the southwest of the island.

Photos of Asclepeion Temple

Location

The post Asclepeion Temple appeared first on Paros Easy Booking.

Mycenaean Acropolis

parosgt — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 00:09:47 +0000

Paros according to mythology, was named after the Arcadian hero Parios, who around 1000 BC took over the island from the Ionians, who had in turn taken it from the Minoans in 1100 BC. However there is evidence of human civilization on Paros from well over 5000 years ago, one site in particular, Koukounaries, has yielded remains from as far back as that period in history.

Koukounaries is a rocky, granite hill, rising 75 m above sea level. It is situated just next to the water, in the great sheltered bay of Naousa, at the northern part of the island of Paros. Situated there is an important Mycenaean building complex of the late 12th century BC, its wings, corridors, and storage rooms are still visible. The storage rooms once held jars, weapons, and other items all of which were covered in ash indicating that they were destroyed by fire somewhere near 1100′s BC. Interestingly, this is one of the few sites in Greece with continuity from the Bronze, all the way to the Iron ages.

Here was one of the last refuges of the Mycenaean tribes, after their mainland cities had been sacked during the final days of the 12th century BC. Some chieftains managed a few survivors fleeing the mainland sailed to islands in the Aegean Sea. The islands they migrated to, grew strong and prosperous under the leadership of the last Mycenaean kings.

Studies at places like Koukounaries indicate that the demise of the Mycenaean civilization was a gradual process, spread over perhaps 150 years after the destruction of the great palaces. The regional palace economies that characterized the Late Bronze Age were replaced by isolated village cultures. This continued for hundreds of years, even into the Classical Age (480-323 BC), when city states (not regional governments) emerged. Not until the Hellenistic period and the regional campaigns of Alexander the Great, did cultural uniformity (which characterized the Mycenaean period) reappear in the Aegean.

Photos of Mycenaean Acropolis

Location

The post Mycenaean Acropolis appeared first on Paros Easy Booking.

Frankish Castle

parosgt — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 00:04:15 +0000

During the fourth crusade, crusaders were amazed by the Muslim and Byzantine fortresses they conquered. After settling on conquered lands they would often build new castles that would serve as border inspection posts, administration centers, secure shelters and military bases. In order to build them, they chose spots that offered protection from raiders or opposing armies and in many cases they would incorporate elements from local architecture.

When the dynasty of Sanudo came to Paros, the Venetian Duke of Naxos Marco Sanudo decided to build the castle of Parikia, using marble from ancient Greek temples. Inside the Frankish castle of Parikia there is the Christian Orthodox Church of Agios Constantinos. This castle is one of the most important post byzantine monuments of the Cyclades islands. In later history the Venetians built the castle of Naoussa and the castle of Kefalos which is situated on Agios Antonios hill next to the village of Marpissa.

Photos of Frankish Castle

Location

The post Frankish Castle appeared first on Paros Easy Booking.

Butterfly Valley

parosgt — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 00:03:38 +0000

Just a few minutes south of Parikia in the area of Petaloudes we come across the mystical Butterfly Valley. This small but lush environment contrasts with the island’s dry landscape, it offers visitors the sensation of walking into a thick rain forest, the air thickens and the sound of running water is present. This small patch of land has become the breeding grounds for a particular species of butterfly called the Jersey Tiger. This species is distinguished for its yellow V-shaped stripes on the forewings and the vibrant red with black dots on hind wings.

They lay their eggs in August and spend the winter as caterpillars only to transform into butterflies during the first months of spring. Jersey Tigers are known to gather on ivy leaves and shady rocks. Butterfly valley with its unique environment is the perfect home for this species and they inhabit it by the thousands. At first it is hard to distinguish them from the background but soon you realize that what you are looking at is a vast tapestry of butterflies, a truly serene place to visit.

Photos of Butterfly Valley

Location

The post Butterfly Valley appeared first on Paros Easy Booking.

Ancient Cemetery

parosgt — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 23:57:12 +0000

Located on the seafront road just past the port of Parikia, this ancient cemetery is one of the most important sites in the Cyclades. The excavations in 1983 unearthed tombs of different types and ages, ranging from the 8th century BC to the 3rd AD.The large marble tombstones and the various pedestals allow the observer to distinguish the use of this cemetery throughout different periods.

Amongst other remarkable finds, one tomb in specific is of great importance. The “Polyandrion”, is a group grave from the Geometric period, and so far the only one discovered throughout the Aegean. Today the site is maintained as an archeological park that accompanies a display of interesting relics and early excavation photographs.

Photos of Ancient Cemetery

Location

The post Ancient Cemetery appeared first on Paros Easy Booking.

Ekatontapyliani Church

parosgt — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 23:53:45 +0000

Panagia Ekatontapyliani is the gem of Paros, also known as the Church of 100 Doors, it is a historic Byzantine church complex and an ancient temple of Artemis located in the town of Paroikia. This complex contains a main temple surrounded by two smaller ones as well a baptistery on the east side with a rare marble cruciform font.

The origin of the church’s name is obscure, as it does not have one hundred doors or gates. One theory suggests that it is a corruption of the name “Katapoliani”, i.e. “the Downtown Church”, as it is situated by the sea at the lower part of Parikia.

The church dates back to 326 AD. Its oldest features likely predate the adoption of Christianity as well as the state religion of the Roman Empire in 391 AD. The church was allegedly founded by the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (ruled 306–337 AD), Saint Helen, during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land when she stopped to worship at a chapel on the island.

In later history Justinian is also credited for initiating construction on the site. The site was badly damaged by an earthquake in the 18th century, but gradually restored. Ekatontapyliani is renowned for the pilgrimages that take place there all in the name of the Virgin Mary. It is the second largest pilgrimage destination in the Aegean, second only to the famous Megalochare on nearby Tenos Island. Inside the main church you can still see the two remaining columns from the temple of Artemis on which Ekatontapiliani was built.

Photos of Ekatontapyliani

Location

The post Ekatontapyliani Church appeared first on Paros Easy Booking.

Kefalos Hill

parosgt — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 23:49:15 +0000

The castle of Kefalos Hill looms over the east side of Marpissa village and situated on its peak is 17th century monastery of Agios Antonios. The hike from Marpissa to the monastery, which takes about 30 minutes, is one of the most interesting trails that Paros has to offer.

Before reaching the peak you encounter many large pure-white stones which is all that remains of the Venetian and the annihilated city of Kefalos. This is where the final act of the Venetian Occupation played out in 1537, when the infamous pirate Barbarossa sacked the castle, driving out Sommaripa’s Venetians who were barricaded in the castle of Kefalos.

Among the rubble are the remains of numerous small churches that were destroyed and plundered. When you reach the peak you can admire the monastery with its old icons and impressive iconostasis that is sculpted out of wood and decorated with gold leafs. The hill is cone shaped and is actually an extinct volcano and the view of eastern Paros is bewitching. The monastery is only open in the morning during the summer months.

Photos of Kefalos Hill

Location

The post Kefalos Hill appeared first on Paros Easy Booking.

Delion Sanctuary of Apollo

parosgt — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 23:42:04 +0000

On the top of a hill on the northern side of Parikia lies the Apollon & Artemis sanctuary. It is called Delion because it is facing the sacred island of Delos. The sanctuary was founded in the late 9th century BC and continued to be used until the 5th century BC. During that period on the northern side of the archaic temple another temple was built out of marble, in praise of Artemis, sister of Apollon. Amongst other ruins scattered around Deleon an ancient cemetery that dates back to about 3000 BC was discovered.

The area surrounding Delion was also used throughout ancient times for the fryktorias system, a communication method that used an organized network of flames to spread a message throughout large distances. This particular technique had been used by Agamemnon to inform his wife Klytemnistra in Mykynes that Troy had fallen. That message travelled over 700 km in only a few hours.

On a clear day many surrounding islands are visible and the view is worth the hike!

Photos of Delion

Location

The post Delion Sanctuary of Apollo appeared first on Paros Easy Booking.