8/7: Parikia

Early this morning I drove the motor bike to Parikia

The small harbor at Parikia

The northern edge of Parikia

Ekatontapyliani (really, not a mispelling) Church

I came to Parikia this morning to see this church (highly recommended by my friend Karina), which translates to "Church of 100 Doors" (I don't know why the name). It was built in the 6th century CE during the Byzantine Period, during the reign of Emperor Justinian. The church was designed by the architect Ignatius, a student of Isidore, the designer of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. According to legend, when Isidore saw Exatontapyliani Church, in a fit of jealous rage, Isidore tried to push Ignatius from the roof, and they both fell to their deaths.

Also in the town of Parikia is a cemetery, which was in use for over 1000 years, from the 8th century BCE until the 3rd century CE. (Those numbers blow me away!)

Before I left Parikia, I bought a kilo of fresh figs (called sika in Greek, and now on my list of favorite fruits - though nothing compares to the mangosteen) and a kilo of that cactus fruit (a picture in my blog on August 6th) called sabra in Israel and ragosika in Greek. Life has been good here on Paros - really good people (Karina, Georgios, and their friends I have been introduced to), and lots of walking, swimming, motor biking, and, of course, eating.