Paroikia

Paroikia

The capital of Paros


Paroikia


Parikia, the island's capital, lies on the west coast and is also its main port. It occupies the same site as the ancient city and its oldest quarter, more or less at the center of the town, is clustered around the hill of Kastro on the Southwest side of the harbor. It is a typical Cycladic town with paved streets, archways (volta), dazzling white two-storey houses interspersed with churches and windmills. A road leads from the harbor to the market place (agora), at the heart of the town, where all manner of wares may be purchased. The castle or Kastro stands on the highest point of the town, Southwest of the harbor. It was build on the site of the ancient acropolis and much of the building material comes from ancient buildings, since column drums and fragments of marble are nowadays visible in the restored sector of the castle. Excavations conducted here have brought to light the ruins of an Archaic temple of Demeter (adjacent to the present church of St. Constantine). There are very few extant remains of the Venetian castle on the  east and Southeast flank (parts of the wall and a tower).