Paros
Today Aeolos, the god of the winds, sent us to the island of Paros. There was a new island to discover, and what a surprise! Paros is an island with influential ancient history. It was inhabited since the Neolithic Age and developed greatly in the Bronze Age. In Classical times, it was a great mercantile power and was famous for its marble quarries. Parian marble was used in ancient times for some of the greatest sculpture that was ever produced (for example Aphrodite de Milo, Hermes of Praxiteles, the pediments of Zeus at Olympia, etc.). Great sculptors of antiquity were natives of Paros, and so was the lyric poet Archilocus.
Arriving at the port, we started off with an orientation around the town. Our first stop was at the church of Katapolani, a church of the Virgin, founded by St. Helen and built by the Emperor Justinian. It was an amazing experience being in a 6th century A.D. church, with its ancient baptistery, with its chapels and original altar. Believe it or not, this church is still working and it is one of the greatest pilgrimages in the Aegean.
After lunch, we took a bus and drove around the island. Smooth hill outlines, fertile land, cultivated fields, marble quarries and whitewashed chapels were some of the characteristic features of the landscape. Paros has a tranquil, pastoral landscape that calms your soul. We first stopped at the ancient marble quarries. Can you imagine that they were underground? The best marble, which was translucent, thin, coarse and without veins, came from the depths of the earth. We continued, to visit the medieval capital of the island, Lefkes, a charming, lively little town on a high hill, well hidden from the eyes of pirates. After that, we visited the town of Naoussa, with its small port full of fishing boats, guarded by a fortress. Lots of cafes and restaurants, octopus hanging to dry in the sun, a relaxed laid back atmosphere.
Another nice day came to an end. The weather was beautiful, with crisp air, bright sun, dark blue sea water and perfect light. What more?
