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Orthodox Dome
It’s no surprise that the Cyclades are at risk of being ‘loved to death’ – they truly are a paradise! The sky was cloudless the whole time I was there, and I lost count of the classic blue and white churches on the landscape.
It was one of those ‘pinch-me’ moments.
I was finally getting to visit those magical Greek islands that we all know from photographs: islands with endless blue skies and dusty green olive groves; towns with winding cobbled streets and the buildings all whitewashed with blue trim; a landscape with small blue-domed Orthodox churches everywhere you look.
One of the great joys of writing this blog is that I get to re-live these special moments many times over: when I travel and take the pictures, when I later review and edit the photos, and when I finally shape them into a collection and story.
This set, from the tiny little town of Parikia, in the Greek Cyclades, has been a great pleasure to revisit.
Although small – only 4500 people – Parikia is the administrative capital of Paros – and the island’s biggest population centre. It is the busiest settlement on the island, but has retained its traditional flavour and typical Cycladic architecture, with narrow cobbled walkways between whitewashed buildings, all decorated with bright blue trim and colourful plants.
I was travelling with a small group and a guide from Intrepid; we had landed back in Athens the day before (see: Postcards from Athens) and had a week of island-hopping ahead of us.
Join me on our first stop:
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Athens Port at Piraeus
It was an early start: it was well before 7am, and we were checked out of our Athens hotel and ready to board for our three and a half hour ferry crossing to Paros.
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Wind Farm on Agios Georgios
On the way to Paros in the Cyclades, we pass Agios Georgios, the largest uninhabited island in the Saronic Islands.
Arriving on Paros
I can barely contain myself! I’ve been waiting all my life for this, and it looks perfect!!
Ready for Island Time
Our resort on Krios Beach just outside of Parikia is truly magnificent. (iPhone12Pro)
Welcome to Paros!
How perfect is this! Cocktails and a view over the harbour. (iPhone12Pro)
A Modern Aphrodite
Late afternoon, our little group gathered together for a walking tour of Parikia. This beautiful sculpture – about which I could find no information – was the first thing that caught my eye.
Cobbled Street
Parikia is a charming town, with the narrow cobbled laneways …
Blue Door and Shutters
… and the blue and white houses typical of settlements in the Cyclades.
White Walls – Blue Doors
Every winding laneway; every lopsided, asymmetrical building, is a treat!
Rectangular Tower on the Frankish Castle
Built in 1260 CE by the Venetian Duke of Naxos, this castle used building materials recovered from ancient buildings that were scattered around the city.
Pigeon in the Tower
We didn’t stop long, and the narrow streets surrounding what remains of the old castle meant I didn’t get a good perspective on it. So, I focussed my attention on the well-worn stones and the roosting birds.
Sweeping
For the locals, of course, it is just another day, …
Saint Constantine Panoramic Church
… but for me, every corner is a new delight!
Flag on the Church
Built in the 1600s, this Cycladic-style church is dedicated to Agios Konstantinos – Saint Constantine. One of the most important religious buildings on the island, it is also architecturally significant, incorporating elements of the earlier Byzantine and Ancient Greek structures that once stood here.
Tiled Cross
Saint Constantine is a beautiful little church. Sitting at the town’s highest point, it has views down the hill and over the Bay of Parikia.
Blue, White, and Bougainvillea
Could it be more perfect? I can’t stop smiling.
Still Life Found : Bicycle
Local Beauty
I don’t know how I managed to make this fuzzy! But, she was so lovely, I had to include her anyway.
Bougainvillea and Shadows
Light dances off the white walls, …
Marble Stairs
… and the narrow stairs and laneways …
Grape Leaves
… lead off in all directions.
Panagia Ekatondapiliani
The last stop on our walking tour of Parikia was the Monastery and Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, considered to be one of the best-preserved Paleo-Christian monuments in Greece. Founded in the early 4th century CE and added to in the 6th century, the complex goes by many names. Panagia is a favourite Greek title of Mary Mother of God. Ekatontapiliani is commonly translated as the “Church with a Hundred Doors”. According to legend, the church was built with 99 visible doors, and one secret door which will open when the Orthodox church reclaims the Hagia Sofia in Constantinople.
Holy Shrine of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani
The interior is dark, and ornately beautiful. According to one story, Saint Helene built the church to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for a successful trip to the Holy Land. The alternate version is that Helene’s son, Constantine the Great, built it on her behalf after her death.
I couldn’t believe my good fortune: I had waited so long to get here, and so far, the Greek islands were living up to the hype.
Parikia was everything I could hope for in a Cycladic town – and we still had the rest of the island to explore!
Until then,
Happy Travels!
Photos: 19September2022
