| Paroikia Παροικιά | ||
 | ||
| State | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Inhabitants | 4.522 (2001 census) | |
| Time zone | UTC 2 | |
Position
| ||
| Institutional website | ||
Paroikia is the capital of Paro, island Greek, in the archipelago of Cyclades.
To know
Paroikia is the capital and main port of the island of Paro. It is one of the most typical cities of Cyclades with its blue and white houses, old churches and small shops. Paroikia is today one of the most populated and popular destinations on the island, since its bars and restaurants, facing the sea, attract many visitors. Paroikia is equally famous for its nightlife, which makes it together with Naoussa, a village in the northern part of the island, an important tourist center.
Geographical notes
Paroikia is located on the western side of the island.
Background
The history of the city begins in antiquity (as shown by the numerous monuments located throughout the territory). The port offered great protection for the fleet, which allowed the city to acquire some maritime power. But for a long time the history of the city was indistinguishable from that of the island as a whole.
Manto Mavrogenous, the heroine of the Greek War of Independence (1821–29), who was originally from Mykonos, died in Paroikia. You can see a memorial statue of him in the town.
How to orient yourself
Paroikia: full screen map.How to get
How to get around
What see
- Basilica of the Madonna of Katapoliani. The most important monument of the city, whose name means "the church with 100 doors". The construction of this ecclesiastical complex began towards the middle of the sixth century thanks to the intervention of the Byzantine emperor Justinian. The church stood on the ruins of the old gymnasium and an earlier Christian building from the fourth century. Today it is interesting for the numerous frescoes on relatives and for the ecclesiastical museum.
In the historic center of the city there are numerous neoclassical public buildings:
- Paros Archaeological Museum.
Full: € 2, reduced (seniors, students) € 1. Founded in 1960. - Frankish Castle. Built in the ancient agora for defensive needs, built with material recovered from the ancient buildings of the Hellenistic-Roman age.
Full: € 2, reduced (seniors, students) € 1. Founded in 1960.
- Ecclesiastical-Byzantine Museum (Ekklisiastikò Vizantinò Musìo). A small collection of icons and other ecclesiastical relics including carved wooden objects and some silver work.
Beaches
- Aghia Irini (Αγία Ειρήνη) (4 km south of the capital). Sandy with some palm trees.
- Aghios Fokàs (Αγ.Φωκάς) (Near the capital Paroikia (Παροικία)).
- Krios (Κριός). A vast beach with clear waters located on the northern part of the Gulf of Paroikia. There are some "taverns". Accessible by land with a rental vehicle but also through a regular boat service from the capital.
- Livàdia (Λιβάδια) (It is located north of the capital). One of the best known and most popular beaches in Paros. It is well equipped.
- Logaràs (Λογαράς). A vast beach adjacent to the previous one, ideal for swimming and other water sports including speargun fishing. Logaràs has excellent tourist infrastructure.
- Kamìnia (Καμίνια). A wide coastline near the capital that can only be reached by boat and with sea caves in the nearby promontory of Agios Fokàs.
- Souvlia (Σουβλιά). A vast beach in the northern part of the Paroikia gulf. It constitutes the continuation of the beach of Marcello. On the promontory of Aghiou Fokà the Archilochus cave named after the famous poet of antiquity who, according to tradition, lived there as a hermit. Accessible by land or by sea with a regular boat service from the capital.
- Paraspòros (Παρασπόρος) (2.5 km south of the capital). A beach with many infrastructures. Frequented mainly by young people. Connected to the capital by a bus service.
- Marcello (Μαρτσέλο) (It is 2 km from the center of Paroikia). Wide beach which is the continuation of that of Kriò. On the seashore there are some taverns and a few bars. Access is by boats (regular service) from the capital but also from the ground.
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
- City market (Close to the port).
