The Municipality of Paros belongs to the Cyclades Prefecture of the South Aegean Region. The island of Paros is the third largest island of the Cyclades islands, located in the center of the Cyclades and west of Naxos.
The Municipality has an area of ​​196.3km2 and a population of 13,715 inhabitants, based on the latest census of 2011.
The seat of the Municipality of Paros is Paroikia.
Paros has been a known island since antiquity, due to the white marble deposits it has in its subsoil. From this marble many temples were constructed in antiquity and many statues were made.
According to the findings, the island was first inhabited in the 4th millennium BC. During the years of Minoan civilization, Paros played an important role in the Cretan Sea transport. In fact, in the area of ​​today's Parikia there was a settlement called Minoa. During the years of Mycenaean civilization, the island played an important role. After the Mycenaean decline on the island, Arcadians settled with Paros as head and the island took its name. In the 8th century BC Paros exploited the gold deposits in Thassos and produced its famous marble. During the Persian Wars Paros fought with the Persians. It followed the integration of the island into the A and the 2nd Athenian Alliance. Paros was conquered by the Macedonians and then by the Ptolemais of Egypt. The Romans followed. In the 6th century BC , Paros was a trade center for the East and West and in the 11th and 12th centuries the island experienced great prosperity. In 1207 he joined the Duchy of the Aegean. The years of the Ottoman domination followed, with certain periods of domination by the Spanish-born Joseph Nazi and the Russians. From Paros came the famous Revolutionist, Mado Mavrogenous.
Paros is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area of ​​Naoussa that has one of the most picturesque Aegean ports. Beautiful scenic areas are Pisso Livadi, Aliki, Pounta, Santa Maria, Drios, Golden Beach with its excellent beaches, and the village of Lefkes, which is considered to be one of the mountainous beaches of the island. From the most famous beaches of Paros are Kolimbithres with the enormous natural rocks to penetrate into the sea.
In Parikia's capital, Panagia Ekatontapyliani is one of the oldest and most important early Christian monuments dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Tradition says that St. Helen, traveling to the Holy Land in order to find the Holy Cross, was forced to stop in Paros because of the seaside. There he prayed that after the end of his journey he would build a church on the island dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Her vow was made by the son of Constantine the Great.
Another tradition says that there are 99 clear doors in Ekatontapyliani. The 100th will be revealed when a corresponding secret door is opened in Istanbul's Agia Sophia. The icon of Panagia Ekatontapiliani is a work of the 17th century and is the second pilgrimage of the Cyclades, after Tinos.
The most important sights of the island are the castle of Parikia, the archaeological site of the three churches, the Mycenaean citadel in Koukounaries, Delion, the temple in honor of Apollo Delion, the Venetian castle of Naoussa, the ruins of a temple dedicated to Asclepius .
The island has excellent hotels, night clubs, great food and lively life