On our second and first full day in Paros, our group received a crash course in the history of Paros and a brief tour of the city of Parikia.
The tour began around 10 a.m. near the port where we met our guide Avgi Kalogianni. She led us down the cobbled paths o
f Parikia where we experienced firsthand the rich history and culture of the island, including the cemetery of the ancient city of Paros, an archaeological museum, the Church of 100 Doors, the Frankish Castle and the ancient temple to Athena.
Her knowledge of the island and its history is what made the day. The biggest thing that I have taken away from her tour is that there is so much history that lies just under the surface that may be missed if you’re not paying attention.
The cemetery of the ancient city of Paros dates back to the 8th century BC and was perhaps the most intriguing of the sites on the island. The cemetery contains the burial mound of the cremated remains of around 140 warriors who died in a battle protecting the city. Cremation was not common among warriors, so being cremated was an honour.
The Church of 100 Doors dates back to the 3rd century AD and was founded by Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. Most of the church was damaged in an earthquake in the 17th century – as was the temple to Athena which broke off almost completely into the sea – but was rebuilt and stands as a testament to fortitude of the island and its people
It was a beautiful day to tour the island and, although our trip has only just begun, it feels like we are already starting to feel at home on this island in the Aegean.
– Anthony Pacheco