Frankish Castle Paroikia

Even though its name suggests a castle, the Frankish Castle Parikia does not have a physical castle in the present times. It is just a picturesque neighbourhood built where there used to be an ancient castle. Now, only a few walls and ruins of a splendid tower remain. Nonetheless, the intricate stonework on the walls, a hundred-foot-long carving of the Hekatompedon and the tall tower will help you journey back to the splendid history of Paros.

The alleys of the neighbourhood are also specked by aged houses. If you look closely, you can also find the remnants of an ancient temple, what is suspected to be the temple of Demeter, dating back to 530 BC. The ancient kastro was built by the Venetian Sanoudos using marble from ancient Greek temples in 1260, when Paros was dominated by the Duchy of Naxos. The original purpose of the castle was to protect the island from the pirates, raiders, and enemies. Inside the Frankish castle, a Christian orthodox Church of Agios Constantinos still exists. It is pleasant to walk around the streets of this neighbourhood, exploring the local shops and buildings.