The island is one of the most important centers of the Proto-Cycladic civilization (3rd millennium BC). A number of tombs have been excavated (Plastiras, Kampos, Dryos, Lefkes, Pyrgos sites) and residential remains in Pyrgos. In today's Parikia, one of the most important centers of the Proto-Cycladic civilization (3rd millennium BC) flourished, which during the middle and late Bronze Age (2nd millennium BC) developed into an important commercial port. In the bay of Naoussa, Koukounaries stand out, a rocky citadel, which was probably inhabited by a refugee population during the last Mycenaean period and was destroyed by an earthquake. The cyclopean fortification served mainly as a support for the multi-storied hegemonic building, which was located on the top of the hill and had corridors and large warehouses. Valuable objects and skeletons of trapped people were found in the ground floor rooms. A geometric settlement was later founded here, in which life continued in the 6th century BC with the building of the temple of Athena around 700 BC.
In historical times, Paros was inhabited by Iones. The island was the home of the poet Archilochus and the sculptors Agoracritos and Scopas, famous for its unique texture and purity of white marble, lychnite.
In the ancient city of Paros (today's Parikia) part of the wall and the acropolis is preserved, in the place of the medieval Castle (13th century). In it are built-in members from three archaic temples, from Hellenistic arcades and from the vault of the rectory of the 4th century BC (the latter in the arch of a medieval church). From the monumental Ionic temple of Poliuchou Athena, from the 6th c. BC, part of the foundations in the acropolis is preserved. In the church of Panagia Katapoliani, many marble members of ancient buildings have been used, especially in the baptistery. The city's cemetery, near the beach, has been set up in an archaeological park, with various types of graves. In Tholos place, ceramic workshop. Archaeological Museum with famous sculptures. out of town on Mount Kynthos (Vigla) the sanctuary of Apollo of Delion and Artemis of Delion (Delion) with a Doric temple of the 5th c. BC, and altars within an enclosure. Towards the area of the airport, Asklepiion, the sanctuary of Pythian Apollo and the location of the sanctuary of Demetrius Thesmophoros at the top have been identified on superimposed hills. Ancient "pariah stone" marble quarries in Marathi and Lakkoi site. On the island there was a hero of Archilochus of the 7th century. BC, where the funerary cult continued unbroken until the middle of the 3rd c. A.D. Its architectural members are kept today in the Archaeological Museum, where the capital with the epitaph from the 4th c. BC for Archilochos. In inscriptions of the 3rd and 4th c. Paros is referred to as "the most brilliant of Parian cities". Bishop's seat. In Parikia, the monumental church of Theotokos, known as Katapoliani or Ekatontapyliani, three-aisled cruciform basilica with a dome (6th century) on the site of an earlier wooden-roofed basilica. From the complex of Katapoliani, the ruins of the atrium of the oldest basilica, the Trullian church of Agios Nikolaos and the baptistery are preserved. Remains of early Christian frescoes and mosaics, as well as a rich collection of architectural members and sculptures. Three-aisled basilica at the location of Three Churches, NE. of Parikia (end of the 6th - beginning of the 7th century). Remains of an early Christian basilica in Voutakos, near Aliki. as well as a rich collection of architectural members and sculptures. Three-aisled basilica at the location of Three Churches, NE. of Parikia (end of the 6th - beginning of the 7th century). Remains of an early Christian basilica in Voutakos, near Aliki. as well as a rich collection of architectural members and sculptures. Three-aisled basilica at the location of Three Churches, NE. of Parikia (end of the 6th - beginning of the 7th century). Remains of an early Christian basilica in Voutakos, near Aliki.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou