By Nicolas Bard

Naoussa is the second largest town of Paros, after Parikia, and is an attraction for thousands of tourists from Greece and the whole world. It is a picturesque, seaside settlement, with a safe harbor in the eastern half of the homonymous bay, on the northern coast of the island. Today there are more than 3,000 residents, most of whom are of course dealing with tourism. The image of Naoussa has often starred in EOT campaigns that advertise our country in large exhibitions abroad.

As a settlement, Naoussa appears to have been around the homonymous port during the Byzantine period. It had a fortified wall, part of which is preserved to this day, which resulted in Kasteli, which was a Venetian bastion, a portion of which remains upright and magnetizes the looks and flashes of visitors. Both the Byzantine and the post -Byzantine era are imprinted in the old houses and the small but extremely historical churches of the wider area. The central church of Naoussa is dedicated to the Assumption.

One of the most important archaeological sights in the area is the location “Koukounaries” above the area of ​​the Kolymbithres settlement. In this position, the archaeologist D. Schillardi discovered a Mycenaean palace of 1200 BC. which was considered the most important of the Cyclades! According to the data we have in our hands, the palace seems to have been destroyed by fire. Archaeological finds from this site are exhibited today at the Archaeological Museum of Parikia.

Also, in the archaeological site of “Plastiras” many figurines and tombs were found with special features that fall in the Early Cycladic era, while the Santa Maria area and the Filizi island were of great archaeological interest.

Naoussa’s historical sights include the ancient wall and part of Kasteli rescued, as well as the Agia Kalos islet in the bay, on which the Russians had set up their headquarters when they occupied the Cyclades in 1770 with their leaders Orlov. Also of interest is the historic Monastery of St. Athanasios in the Protes of Naoussa.

The cells of the monastery have been renovated and have been converted into a Byzantine museum area, where wood carvings, Byzantine and Venetian sculptures are exhibited, many worship utensils, images of Parian and Cretan hagiographers of the 12th and 13th centuries, with the most important “15”. (also 16th century), as well as the only section of hagiography saved by the Byzantine temple.

Finally, in the area, you can also visit the Folklore Museum of Naoussa, where traditional costumes are exhibited, not only from the Cyclades, but also from other areas of Hellenism, which created the dance folk band ” Library, rich photographic archive and some archaeological finds.

And because summer doesn’t go out without a dive, you will find many beautiful beaches around to swim. The photogenic and famous swimming pools, Piperki, the beach of Agioi Anargyroi, Xifara, Langeri and exotic Santa Maria are some of the many options you have, to make a dew in the blue waters of the Aegean.