__NOTOC__ Parikia is the capital and the main port of

Paros Paros (; el, Πάρος; Venetian: ''Paro'') is a Greek island in the central Aegean Sea. One of the Cyclades island group, it lies to the west of Naxos, from which it is separated by a channel about wide. It lies approximately south-east of ...

island. It is one of the most typical Cycladic settlements as it is distinguished by its narrow cobbled paths, the old churches, the small shops and the houses in blue and white. Parikia is today one of the most popular and busiest spots on the island, as its cafeterias and restaurants along the waterfront attract many visitors. Parikia is also famous for its vivid nightlife, which makes it along with Naoussa village (on the northern side of the island) the two busiest tourist resorts of Paros. Parikia is found on the western side of the island and has 4,500 permanent inhabitants.

History

The history of Parikia starts in the ancient times, as the monuments all over the village show. The port gave to Paros all its strength and made it a great naval power. For a long time, the village followed the historical paths of the rest of the island.

Manto Mavrogenous Manto Mavrogenous ( el, Μαντώ Μαυρογένους) (1796 – July 1848) was a Greek heroine of the Greek War of Independence. A rich woman, she spent all her fortune for the Hellenic cause. Under her encouragement, her European friends ...

, the heroine of the

Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution or the Greek Revolution of 1821, was a successful war of independence by Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1829. The Greeks were later assisted by ...

(1821–29), who originated from Mykonos died in Parikia. There is a statue of her in the village. On 26 September 2000 the ferry ''Express Samina'' collided with the Portes islets off the bay of Parikia, killing 82 of those on board. ()

Sights

The most famous monument in Parikia is the church of

Panagia Ekatontapiliani Panagia Ekatontapiliani (literally ''the church with 100 doors'') or Panagia Katapoliani is a historic Byzantine church complex in Parikia town, on the island of Paros in Greece. The church complex contains a main chapel surrounded by two more c ...

, whose name actually means "the Church of 100 doors". This ecclesiastical complex was originally built in the 4th century on the site of an ancient gymnasium and remodelled in the mid-6th century during the reign of the

Byzantine The Byzantine Empire, also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire primarily in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinopl ...

Emperor

Justinian the Great Justinian I (; la, Iustinianus, ; grc-gre, Ἰουστινιανός ; 48214 November 565), also known as Justinian the Great, was the Byzantine emperor from 527 to 565. His reign is marked by the ambitious but only partly realized ''renovat ...

. Today it has many interesting frescoes on its walls and it hosts the Ecclesiastical Museum of Parikia. Close to Parikia, you will also find some other interesting monasteries, such as the Monastery of Logovardas, the Monastery of Saint Anargyroi and the Monastery of Jesus of the Forest. In the centre of Parikia, you can see some Neoclassical mansions hosting public services. The trademarks of Parikia are the preserved windmill in the port and the Venetian Castle, on top of the village, which was built by the Venetians in the early 17th century. The walls of the Castle have been built with remains of ancient temples. Parikia is home to the

Archaeological Museum of Paros The Archaeological Museum of Paros is a museum located in Parikia on Paros, Greece. The museum was found in 1960 and consists of two rooms and an atrium. Museum plan Room A contains Archaic and Classical sculptures. Room B contains pottery, ...

a small but interesting museum housing some of the many finds from sites in Paros.

External links

Website of the municipality of ParosParosweb

References

{{coord, 37.0862, N, 25.1508, E, source:kolossus-frwiki, display=title Mediterranean port cities and towns in Greece Paros Port cities of the Aegean Sea