Paros

From CruisersWiki

Revision as of 12:43, 6 May 2015

Paros/wiki/Paros

Paros 37°05.4′N, 25°08.9′E37.09;25.148333333333 destination

Map of Paros - Click for larger view

The island of Paros (Πάρος) has been famous since antiquity for its excellent translucent marble, called Lychnites. This marble was used for the Temple of Solomon, the Venus de Milo, the temples on Delos, and for Napoleon's tomb. It is an oval shaped island with an area of 195 km² and 10,000 inhabitants. It has two peaks: Profitis Elias 771 m (2530 ft) and Karamboli 747 m (2451 ft). Its main town and port, Parikia, is on the W side of the island.

Paros was first inhabited by Cretans and then by Arcadians under their leader Paros, after whom the island was named. The 7th century BC soldier-poet Archilochos who is believed to be the first to write iambic poetry was from Paros. During the Persian Wars, Paros sided with the Persians. When Athens emerged victorious from those wars, they dispatched Miltiades, the victorious general from the battle of Marathon, to punish the Parians. They resisted successfully. During the Peloponnesian War, Paros was forced by the Athenians to join them in the Delian League. In the 3rd century BC, the island was conquered by the Macedonians who were followed by the Romans. The famous Hellenistic sculptor, Skopas was from Paros. In 1207 AD Paros became part of the Dukedom of Naxos, established by the Venetian Marco Sanudo. In 1389 the then-Duke of Naxos gave Paros to his daughter as part of her dowry. In 1536 the island was captured by Barbarossa and eventually became part of the Ottoman Empire, but was mostly under the control of pirates. In 1670 it became the base of operations of the famous pirate Hugues Chevaliers who inspired Byron's Corsair. In 1770 the Russian fleet spent the winter in Paros. During the 1821 war of Greek Independence, Manto Mavrogenous, whose parents were from Paros and Mykonos, led all of her ships against the Ottomans. Paros became part of the Modern Greek state in 1830. Today the island is invaded every summer by tens of thousands of tourists, yet it still manages to remain one of the most pleasant Cycladic islands.

Charts

BA

1662 Nisos Milos to Nisos Paros

Imray-Tetra

G33 Southern Cyclades

NIMA

54332 Nisoi Paros & Naxos

Greek

423 Paros to Astypalia

Radio Nets

• Coast Guard - VHF channel 12; Tel. +30 22840 21 240 (Parikia), +30 22840 51 250 (Naousa)
• Olympia Radio - VHF channels 03 & 04

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Weather

See Aegean Sea.

Approach and Navigation

The two main ports of Paros have tricky approaches:

Danger: Be aware of the many low-lying rocks and reefs during your approach either Parikia or Naoussa. In October 2002 a Greek ferry ran aground approaching Parikia with the loss of 78 people.

Warning: The Antiparos Channel is very shallow. In anything but calm weather it is better to approach channel anchorages from the south.

Berthing Options

Ports

Parikia

Parikia/wiki/Paros#Parikia

Parikia 37°05.4′N, 25°08.9′E37.09;25.148333333333 destination

Chart of Parikia - Click for larger view

Parikia (Παροικία) is the main commercial harbor of the island. It is a fairly busy and noisy harbor but it is an excellent shelter form the meltemi and from the south winds.

Moor stern-to in the Yacht Quay in Parikia paying particular attention to the boulders near the quay 3 metres on outside of west end less further east. The bottom is sand and weed — good holding.

Laundry - Opposite Graveyard. Pick up and delivery to boat. 6974 394887.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• June 2000 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis
• May 2012 --Monterey

The Yacht Quay in Parikia

There are now permanent mooring inside the Yacht harbor. Charter boats use the harbor on weekends so a space may be difficult to find from Friday night through Sunday morning. -- Daphnoula 2014

Naoussa

Naoussa/wiki/Paros#Naoussa

Naoussa 37°07.5′N, 25°14.1′E37.125;25.235 destination

Chart of old Naoussa harbor

The new Naoussa marina

Naoussa (Νάουσσα) previously had only a small overcrowded harbor with room for only eight yachts. In 2011 it was completely rebuilt creating a nice marina with 74 places for yachts (and up to 80 yachts in calm weather). Laid lines along south wall, most other berths are side to with rafting common. If anchoring, watch for blocks and chains from the unused laid line system. Larger boats go stern to on their anchor where the large boat shows alongside in the satelite picture below (blocks did not seem to be a problem here, depth >3m) but watch for stones at the base of the pier running northward. The ferry comes and goes stern to the north end of the pier. Water and electricity was not available. Harbor master is a very friendly man, will meet you at the end of western breakwater, show your place and help you with mooring lines. Mooring fee is €15, electricity €1.5 per kWh, €2 per 100 liters of water (you can expect good discounts from harbor master during checkout).

In a visit in May 2012 the harbor master was not to be found and the boxes were all locked.

In good weather you can anchor off and visit the town.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• June 2003 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis
• April 2012 --Almaz
• May 2012 --Monterey

Satellite view of Naoussa harbor

The old harbor of Naoussa Click for larger view

The Inner Harbor of Naoussa Click for larger view

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Part of the harbor of Naoussa is operated as a marina. See above.

Anchorages

Naoussa Bay

Naoussa Bay/wiki/Paros#Naoussa_Bay

Naoussa Bay 37°8.36′N, 25°14.64′E37.139333333333;25.244 destination

Chart of Naoussa Bay - Click for larger view

Naoussa Bay is a large bay on the NE of the island. Within the bay there is the harbor of Naoussa and several attractive anchorages:

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• August 2006 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• September 1999 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• June 2000 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis

Aliki

This large bay on the south side of the island offers good protection from the meltemi. The town is pleasant, less crowded than Parikia or Naoussa and it is much closer to the airport. Look before you anchor as there is a huge anchor near the center of the bay. Good holding in sand. -- Daphnoula

Offshore Islands

Antiparos

Antiparos/wiki/Paros#Antiparos

Antiparos 37°02.4′N, 25°05.3′E37.04;25.088333333333 destination

Chart of Antiparos Channel - Click for larger view

Antiparos is a small island south of Paros, separated by a narrow and shallow channel. It is a fairly popular vacation spot with the fashionable Athenian set. The main attraction of the island is its significant cave (open 10:45-15:00) complete with spectacular stalactites.

Antiparos was know in the antiquity as Oliaros. Tradition has it that the cave was discovered in the 7th century BC by the poet-soldier Archilochos from Paros who carved his name on stalactite starting a long tradition of graffiti and defacing.

The small harbor provides some protection from the meltemi but it is quite shallow (2-3 m). To the S, on the Antiparos Channel there are also several places where anchoring is possible. Any of these places are good for visiting the cave.

Warning: The Antiparos Channel is very shallow, in anything but calm weather it is better to approach these anchorages from the south.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• 1983 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis

Dhespotico Island

There are two coves on the SE of the island. They look as promising and attractive anchorages.

Dhespotico Bay

Dhespotico Bay/wiki/Paros#Dhespotico_Bay

Dhespotico Bay 36°58.2′N, 25°01.4′E36.97;25.023333333333 destination

Chart of Despotico Bay - Click for larger view

This is the bay between the islands of Despotico (Δεσποτικό) and Antiparos. The bay was a port for pirates in the 16th and 17th centuries AD.

There is good shelter and holding in the bay and it is very attractive. Restaurant ashore.

A couple of coves on the S side look very promising.

Warning: With strong S winds the bay may not be tenable.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• June 2009 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis

Despotico Bay

The SE entrance to the Bay Click for larger view

from Antiparos Click for larger view

Looking S towards Despotiko Island Click for larger view

Yacht Services and Repairs

Marine Stores

Only fishing supplies.

Repairs/Yards

If you need repairs, it will be better to go to Syros.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

A fuel truck also delivers in both Parikia and Naoussa

In Parikia within 200 m and in Naoussa near the quay

Water

On the quay in both Parikia and Naoussa

Electricity

N/A (Not Available)

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

In Paros

Both Parikia and in Naoussa are picturesque towns with wonderful Cycladic architecture. Naoussa with its small fishing harbor ( a sunken small Venetian castle) is a jewel.

In Parikia, in addition to the Venetian Castle, there is Paros' most significant monument, the Ekatontapyliani (of a hundred doors) Cathedral. Legend has it that St. Hellen, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, stopped here, during a gale, on her way to Palestine to recover the Holy Cross. She prayed for the success of her journey and promised that if she was successful she would built a church. That she did. Today's church was built by Justinian on the site of the original one. According to the legend, whenever the all 100 doors or entrances are found, Istanbul (Constantinoupolis) will once again be Greek. The architect of this church was Ignatios, a student of Isidoros the builder of Ayia Sophia. According to one legend when Isidoros came to inspect his pupil's work was so jealous that he dragged Ignatios down a well. There is a representation of this incident on one of the columns of the marble gate to the north of the church. Again others say that the column is more ancient, from a temple of Dionysos, and it actually depicts two satyrs. At any rate, the marble iconostasis is a "must see" item. The Baptistry, to right of the church, dates from the 4th century AD and is believed to be the oldest Orthodox baptistry. Another story concerns Ayia Theoktisi whose tomb is in the church. She was a 9th century nun who was captured by pirates on Lesvos. She escaped the pirates and hid in the forests of Paros where she lived for 35 years until she was found by a hunter. He brought her to the cathedral where she had communion. As soon as she did so she died. The hunter realizing that she was a saint, cut off her hand so that he would have a valuable holy relic. He was unable, however to sail away from the island until he returned the hand.

The Museum in Parikia contains among many other significant exhibits a series of marble tablets, the Parian Chronicle, depicting the history of Greece from 1500 to 264 BC. Also at the outskirts of the town there is a second century BC Cemetery.

Near Parikia at Tholos there is third century BC Ancient Pottery Workshop worth seeing. To the east of Parikia at Marathi are the ancient quarries that have provided the fabulous Parian marble.

The beach of Kolimbithres near Naoussa with its strange rock formations is well worth a visit. So are the picturesque villages of Marpissa and Marmara (also possible anchorages).

When you drive around Paros note the many pigeon cotes built with stones in a typical Cycladic style.

Paros

A Street in Paroikia Click for larger view	The Ekatontapyliani Cathedral Click for larger view	The Castle in Parikia Click for larger view
A Street in Naoussa Click for larger view	A Kafenio in Naoussa Click for larger view	The Ancient Quarry Click for larger view
A Hill Click for larger view	A Pigeon-house Click for larger view	Beauties at the Beach Click for larger view

In Antiparos

Visit the stalactite cave.

Antiparos

The Cave Click for larger view

View from the Cave

Grocery & Supply Stores

Many food stores in both Parikia and Naoussa.

Eateries

• Good food at Zorbas (with live Rembetika music) and at Tamarisko restaurants in Parikia
• There is a very good bakery (open on Sundays) in Naoussa just a few meters S of the quay

Internet/WiFi

In Internet cafes.

Laundry

In Parikia and Naoussa (in the town).

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Possible in both Parikia and Naoussa.

Garbage Disposal

There are bins around the harbors and in several anchorages.

Transportation

There are daily flights and ferries to and from Athens.

Routes/Passages To/From

• Passages between Athens Region and Samos - Kusadasi
• Cruising the Cyclades Islands

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Paros at the Wikipedia
• Despotiko at the Wikipedia}
• Antiparos at the Wikipedia}

References & Publications

See Greece.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

See individual ports, anchorages and islands in this page.

Contributors to this page
Names: Istioploos, Athene of Lymington, Almaz, Monterey, Daphnoula