ANTIPAROS

(Pocket Guide )
ANTIPAROS

Antiparos is like a white canvass with dashes of blue and green against the shimmering blue Aegean. The island has historic importance and is known
around the world. Monuments and other landmarks attest to the creators of the unique Cycladic civilization. One of the world's most gorgeous caves
gapes in the middle of the island, which became known around the world between the 17th and 19th centuries thanks to the texts of foreign travelers
describing the cave, its paintings, and other archaeological sites on the island. Today, Antiparos attracts thousands of tourists who come to admire the
cave, swim in the pristine waters, stroll the quaint cobbled passages through the town, and sample local foods and the island's fine wine and tsikoudia.
Bars and discos offer nightlife, but more importantly the locals' hospitality and warmth guarantee a memorable stay.

Antiparos is reached via Paros, which is linked to Athens by plane and regular boat service (ferry, high speed, and hydrofoil) from Piraeus, Rafina,
Thessaloniki, Crete, the Sporades, the Dodecanese, and the eastern Aegean island. Access from Paros is easy: just a 30-minute crossing by fishing
boat from Paroikia and a 6-minute crossing by ferry from Pounta.

HISTORY

In historic times, the island's first settlers were Phoenicians from Sidon, who were succeeded by a number of settlers. In antiquity, Antiparos was known
as Oliaros and its history is inextricably linked to that of Paros. The earliest reference to Antiparos with its present name is in the 13th century, even
though the name itself is ancient as in mythology Antiparos was one the 50 sons of the murdered Aegyptus; Antiparos and a brother were the only two
boys who survived as the rest were murdered by Aegyptus's wife, Kritomythea, a daughter of Danaus.

In Byzantine times and through the early 13th century, as well as during the Greek independence revolt in 1821, the island suffered from raids by pirates
from Algeria, Crete, Kefalonia, and elsewhere. In 1537, Antiparos and the rest of the Cyclades passed into Ottoman rule and the hands of the fierce
pirate Barbarossa; during that period, the island was savagely pillaged. Antiparos was among the first islands in the Cyclades to join the Greek
independence struggle. The island officially became a part of the Modern Greek State in 1832.

In the second world war, Antiparos was active in the resistance against the Germans, serving as a secret base for the Allied forces.

SIGHTS

The Cave

The Antiparos Cave is unique, not just for its stalactite formations but for its close links to the island's history.

Ancient vessels found inside were dedicated to the goddess Artemis and, according to one epigraph, the lyric poet Archilochus of Paros was among its
earliest visitors. The names of Macedonian generals conspiring against Alexander the Great were found inscribed in the cave, where they hid to escape
Alexander. Another notable visitor was the Marquis de Nointel, the French ambassador to Constantinople, who spent Christmas Day 1673 in the cave.
Many visitors, from the Marquis de Chambert in 1775 to King Othon (Otto), Greece's first king, in 1840 carved their name on the walls. During the
second world war, the cave suffered extensive damage by the Nazi occupiers.

The cave can be reached by car or municipal bus. The church of Ai Yannis Spiliotis stands at its entrance.

Despotiko

The god Apollo was widely worshipped in the Cyclades, and the largest cult center dedicated to the god was on the island of Delos. There were also 22
smaller temples, and one of these was at Despotiko. The sanctuary is unique in the Aegean. Built on one of the tiniest uninhabited and unspoiled islets
of the Aegean, Despotiko stands intact. The temple was used for worship from the seventh century B.C. through Roman times.The site of Despotiko has
been identified as ancient Perpesinthos.

Excavations in the 19th century by the Greek archaeologist Christos Tsountas uncovered Proto - Cycladic cemeteries. In 1959, excavations under N.
Zafiropoulos at Zoumbaria and Mandra on the island's northeastern coast found traces of a Doric temple. Since 1997, excavations under Yannos
Kourayos have brought to light extensive remains of a temple's auxiliary areas. A unique find was a large idol of a female deity that has been dated to
680 - 660 B.C. Similarities in mobile finds and architectural parts at Despotiko and those found at the Delios sanctuary of Apollo and Artemis on Paros
suggest the site was a temple dedicated to the cult worship of these two deities.

Kastro

Traces of a Venetian castle are visible among the traditional architecture of the main settlement on Antiparos. Built in 1440 to shelter inhabitants during
frequent pirate raids, the Kastro, or fortified settlement was a square structure whose perimeter was formed by the outer walls of dwellings, with an
interior courtyard and a circular tower in the center. The tower served as the residence of the local archon. Kastro's single entrance is next to the Ayios
Nikolaos cathedral.

The Folklore Museum of Antiparos

In the old castle of Antiparos will find the Folklore Collection of Community Business Antiparos in which there are old objects, specimens from Cycladic
figurines, traditional uniforms of Antiparos and photographs from the excavation of Despotiko.

BEACHES

Antiparos's coast forms a number of picturesque coves that attract thousands of tourists each year. Some are accessible by road, others by fishing boat
and are worth exploring.

Pantieronisia, Despotiko islet with its archaeological site, Faneromeni and Ayios Spyridonas beaches, and the sea caves along the coast are peaceful
and impressively beautiful.

EVENTS

Feast days of saints are observed each year with a paniyiri, a religious and folk festival that provides a link between local customs and the island's
younger generations and, of course, visitors.

On May 7, the feast of Ai Yiannis Spiliotis is observed with a paniyiri, including folk dances and food, in front of the cave.

The feast of Ai Yiannis is observed on June 23 - 24 through a custom known as Kleidonas recreated in the port by the island's folk dance troupe.

In mid - July, a three - day paniyiri is held in the harbor to observe the feast of Ayia Marina, with folk dances, traditional songs, and food.

On September 7, there's a paniyiri at the church of Panayia Faneromeni, on the far side of the island where pilgrims are ferried by fishing boats.

USEFUL PHONES

MUNICIPALITY OF ANTIPAROS 2284061570

CITIZENS SERVICE BUREAU (KEP) 2284028314
MEDICAL CENTRE 2284061219
HARBOR POLICE 2284061485
POLICE STATION 2284061202
BUS TO THE CAVE 2284061231
TAXI 6976780944

ORGANIZATIONS CATALOGUE

ACCOMMODATION

YIANNIS MARIA ROOMS AND

Sunrise Apartments PALOMA
CHORA,2284061155, 6973330360 APARTMENTS CHORA,2284061507, 6977614198
CHORA,2284061438, 6978777055

MARGO ANTIPAROS STUDIOS HIPPOCAMPUS SUNSET DESEO

CHORA,6974799431 CHORA,2284061504, 6978209182 CHORA,2284061719

OLIAROS STUDIOS APARTMENTS MARIANOS APARTMENTS MIKE'S PLACE

AGIOS GEORGIOS,2284025305, 6973403231 CHORA,2284061450, 6937180807 CHORA,2284061217, 6932420307

KASTRO POSEIDON ROCCO'S STUDIOS

CHORA,2284061011, 6979616637 CHORA,2284061028, 6972809962 CHORA,2284061449

ANTIPAROS BEACH STUDIOS AND

Eleni's rooms SAN GIORGIO
CHORA,2284061003, 6979253071 AGIOS GEORGIOS,2284061512, 6997106185 APARTMENTS
AGIOS GEORGIOS,2284061122, 6944261685

THEOLOGOS - PLACE KALYPSO STUDIOS ARGO

CHORA,2284061045, 6977466891 CHORA,2284061402, 6936152866 CHORA,2284061419, 6977660682

DOLPHIN FOLEGADRITISSA DOLFIN - ST. GEORGIOS

AGIOS GEORGIOS,2284024506, 6977310167 -
CHORA,2284061412, 6942243326 CHORA,2284061290, 6976158832
6944999703

MARIA'S PLACE AYRA MANTALENA

CHORA,2284061403, 6976975049 CHORA,2284061209, 6932310983 CHORA,2284061206, 6974799431

ANTIPAROS WINDMILL PARADISE VILLAGE AKROGIALI STUDIOS & ROOMS

CHORA,6945577023, 6945577023 CHORA,2284061090, 6937533592 CHORA,2284061231, 6946550584

ANDRIANNA Ergina Summer Resort RANIA

CHORA,2284061325, 6977980974 SOROS,2284061391, 6934251922 CHORA,2284061032, 6977470168

AEGEO INN CLARA'S PLACE ASTERAS

ANTIPAROS,2284061387, 6979711855 CHORA,2284061362, 6976974172 CHORA,2284061459, 6948167521

Antiparos Luxury Apartments

AGIOS GEORGIOS,6972085183

RESTAURANTS
LA LOUCHE ELIA KAFE ARGO
CHORA,2284061715, 6942558844 CHORA,2284061704, 6945058051 CHORA,2284061419, 6977660682

KLIMATARIA NISILIOS NTAMIS

CHORA,2284061061, 6974485675 CHORA,2284061113, 6944296173 CHORA,2284061506, 6977675803

SOUSOURADA SAN GEORGIO - CAPTAIN PIPINOS O.E. AKROGIALI

CHORA,2284022366, 6936898831 AGIOS GEORGIOS,2284021823, 6976686728 AGIOS GEORGIOS,2284022107, 6973802334

TAVERNA GIORGIS AVRA SOROS BEACH

CHORA,2284061362, 6972660612 CHORA,2284061209, 6932310984 SOROS,2284024962, 6937445433

O KIPOS TIS STELLAS YALOU ANARGYROS

ANTIPAROS,2284061204,
CHORA,2284061232 CHORA,6942059685, 6942059685
6945408446

RAKIDIO TAVERNA PANTELIS KALOKERI

CHORA,2284061101 CHORA,2284061697, 6937445433 CHORA,2284063037, 6944511677

DIAPORI
CHORA,2284061410, 6973518100

ENTERTAINMENT

NAVAGIO ANTIPAROS LOUNGE BEACH NAUTICA CAFE

CHORA,2284061012, 6972506954 ANTIPAROS,6972085183 CHORA,2284061323, 6973005676

CAFE YANNIS PLACE FANARI BEACH BARRIO

CHORA,2284061469, 6937929783 CHORA,2284061385, 6932469693 CHORA,2284061302, 6944690829

KAFE MARGARITA THE SMILE COMPANY BOOGALOO

CHORA,2284061491, 6972602097 ANTIPAROS,6944963706 CHORA,2284061493, 6978230103

VICKY'S HOME MADE ICE CREAM AND

REMEMBER CAFE BABEL METAXA STATION
CHORA, , 6977603043 CAKES CHORA,2284061343, 6973993740
CHORA,2284061012, 6972506954

STONES OSTRIA KAFE

CHORA,2284061455, 6973330360 CHORA,2284061344, 6974301344

TRAVEL AGENCIES - RENTALS

OLIAROS TOURS DIMITRIS ANTIPAROS EUROPECAR CAR RENTAL

CHORA,2284061231 , 6946550584 CHORA,2284061286, 6977291841 CHORA,2284061449, 6945157434

ACTIVITIES

FOLKLORE MUSEUM ANTIPAROU BLUE DIVERS

CHORA,2284061005 CHORA,2284061493, 6972730162

LOCAL PRODUCTS

ELIA
CHORA,2284061704, 6947256100