Parikia Paros
Parikia or also called Paroikia, is the capital of the beautiful Paros and we find it in the south west part. Nerve center and main port, it is right here that you arrive on the island by ferries that connect it with Piraeus and the other the Cicaldi island, the most suitable way to reach it for sure.
A pretty town with a classic Greek flavor with its low white houses decorated with colorful bougainvillea and brightly colored flowers, with its narrow and winding labyrinth lanes that hide internal courtyards with an ancient atmosphere, with many souvenir shops and local crafts where find something special to take home as a souvenir of your holidays in Greece, and still a multitude of places for after dinner, for an aperitif, taverns and restaurants for all palates and that unmistakable air that only the Cyclades Islands know give away. Administrative and economic center that maintains its past charm but also a modern city that offers any type of comfort without dominating tradition.
From ancient origins and built on the remains of the Phylakopi old city dated 2400 BC right at the foot of the mountain where the Agios Anargyron Monastery is located just above the pine forest of the Ekatontapiliani temple at about seven hundred meters with a magnificent view of the port and the capital with a fresh thermal spring, owes its name to the landowners called parikous of the Byzantine period. In 1900 the discovery of a settlement on the Parikia Kastro where the remains of a wall made up of fifty centimeter thick stones, paved streets and the remains of two hundred and fifty containers were found, testifying to the presence of an urban center.
On the main road in the southern part of the harbor pier, we find the ancient Agora today called Market Street and just on the right you can see the remains of the Venetian castle known as Frankish Castle. The bizarre name derives from the translation of the Greek word Frankoi which means "Franks", a term used since 1100 to identify the "Normans", that is, the ethnic group that came from the western territories with respect to the lands of the Byzantine Empire. Its construction dates back to 1260 and was commissioned by Marco Sanudo governor of Venetian origins on the Naxos island. Originally it had an oval shape with powerful defensive walls and a rectangular tower and the marble elements visible today come from the temple of Athena of the fifth century BC. At the end of the Venetian domination, a large part of the neighboring population took refuge in Kastro mainly to defend themselves from pirates who constantly tried to take possession of the territory thus beginning to build houses along the perimeter of the walls and gradually also abroad, thus giving life to the current town of Parikia.However, there are many interesting places in the capital and one not to be missed is the Basilica of Panagia Ekatontapiliani also called the church of the center doors (ekato in Greek means one hundred). Undoubtedly one of the most important paleochristian monuments of all the Cyclades built above the ancient gymnasium. The oldest area of the basilica is the San Nicola chapel and the baptistery of the 4th century. The other part, on the other hand, was built later at the behest of the Emperor Justinian in the Byzantine period on the wish of his mother Flavia Giulia Elena as a sign of thanks for the escaped death during a storm that saved her by landing on the Paros island.
Another interesting site to visit is the Archaeological Museum of Paros. Born in 1960, it is considered one of the most prestigious museums in Greece as it collects ancient and precious finds from Antiparos and Paros itself dating back to the Neolithic period up to the Christian period. You can admire the Nike of Paros of the fifth century BC representing a female figure originally winged in white marble of which the island is very rich, Cycladic statuettes, amphorae and mosaics. At the entrance sarcophagi and statues of the Roman period, mosaics of the Panagia Ekapontapliani and the statue of Gorgon the monster of Greek mythology that frightened everyone and used to petrify those who allowed themselves to challenge him. The museum is open every day except Tuesdays from 8.30 to 15.30 and costs around € 2 per person.
It continues with the ancient cemetery used from the eighth century BC to the third century AD which contains tombs from various eras which today has become an archaeological park with interesting finds. Also worth visiting are the ruins of the Asclepius temple the God of medicine right above the Agia Anna hill which offers a fabulous the Aegean Sea view. Also in the same area are the remains of the Apollo Pythios temple right in front of the Delos island where you can admire the altar dedicated to God and the Artemis temple sister of Apollo. Don't forget to go take a peek at the many churches (there are about forty of them) near the castle.
For those who decide to stay in Parikia and do not want to try their hand at various explorations, the Livadia beach the coast of the town will be ideal. Soft gold-colored sand mixed with small pebbles with a sea despite the proximity of the clear and clean port so as to be awarded the Blue Flag. Obviously it is super equipped with everything more ', but also gives a completely free part where you can organize yourself. From here 'the sunset a real show not to be missed.
Finally, the topic most dear to amateurs. Parikia has nothing to envy to other famous places for nightlife, it offers everything you want, from small intimate places where you can sip a refined cocktail with soft lights, to places that fill up to thousands of people and for all tastes such as BackStage where you will find rock music and the 80s and 70s, Captain Norton right on the waterfront where you can relax with a colorful cocktail admiring the sunset, Evinos Bar an old house always on the very popular waterfront where you can have a drink to the rhythm of loud music with evenings at funk or soul theme, and again Iceland right in the center of Parikia with Greek music until the first light of day. In short, those who have more put it without excluding anyone's tastes.
Without a doubt a beautiful and lively seaside resort where nothing is missing from history, fun, good food, shopping, a dip in a fabulous sea, this is Paikia and woe to you if you don't put it in things to do in Paros.