Paros is located in the central area of the Aegean Sea and remains one of the loveliest destinations you can ever spend a holiday. There is so much for you to do here, including swimming, shopping, and sightseeing. Here are 5 interesting facts that make people keep coming to this place.
Over 4,000 Years Old
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It’s a fact that the older a place is; the more enticing it will be for tourists. For Paros, you can rest assured that it’s been here for a long time. Records show that the island has been occupied since 4,000 years ago, although; real development and tangible civilization didn’t begin until about 3,000 years. There was a time the island was referred to as Minoa.
They Have a Heroine
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While many Greek islands are associated with masculine mystical gods and male generals and warriors, Paros is known with a heroine. Her name was Manto Mavrogenous, and she is honored, revered, and worshiped until this day. Before her time, Paros has been under the rule of Persia and other external forces for six centuries, and when the opportunity for liberation came during the Greek War of Independence, Manto stood for her people. The rich woman spent all of her fortunes to support the cause of freeing Paros from the external rule and becoming part of Greece, like other islands around. You can still find her house near the Ekatontapiliani church, which has become a historical monument.
Marbles
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You can’t talk about Paros without mentioning one of its most valuable assets and mineral resources, marbles. For centuries, the people of Paros have worked the marble quarry, making them an important commodity in the building, construction, and masonry. Their success with marbles, however, is one of the reasons why they were attacked and conquered by several external powers for centuries. Marble helped carry Paros through the Byzantine period and Turkish taxes and raids by the Arabs didn’t prevent them from building so many churches.
Church with Hundred Doors
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Panagia Ekatontapiliani, also called the church with 100 doors is the most popular tourist destination in Paros. The byzantine church is rumored to be founded by Saint Helen, who happens to be the mother of Constantine, one of the greatest emperors of the Roman Empire. The church is quite beautiful and an astonishing sight to behold. If you’re a religious person or you love history, you would like to be here as the church is said to date back to 326, there predating the 391 years when Christianity was adopted as a state religion.
Beaches
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Like all Greek islands, Paros is blessed with beautiful beaches. Some of the best beaches you can explore on this island include the Paralia Logaras, which is about half a kilometer from Piso Livadi. The beautiful sandy beach has plenty of great taverns for good food and is one of the best places to have a swim. In fact, they have won the Blue Flag of the European Union, which means they are super clean. You can also try other beaches like Monastiri Beach and Faragas Beach.
