8/8: Morning walk on the Byzantine Road, Lefkes

Delicious breakfast of rich Greek yogurt with fresh figs and cactus fruit

Lefkes in the morning light

I drove this morning on Georgios' motorbike to Lefkes to walk the Byzantine road. The motorbike, being very old with a very small engine, moves at "island pace." Though there are a few roads with a maximum speed of 50 kph (30 mph), most of the roads have a maximum speed limit of 30 kph (18 mph), and some with a speed limit of 20 kph (12 mph). These speeds are fine for me on this old motor bike. In fact, I go up some of the hills at a little faster than a jogger's pace, and some times the bike needs a little help , Flinstones style.

Lefkes is my favorite village on the island. During the Middle Ages, Lefkes was the capital of the island of Paros. It has churches dating back to the 15th century CE. With a population of only 500, and no beach so no teenage tourists, it has maintained its charm even during the high tourist season.

Lefkes laundry

Red shutters are nice too

The Byzantine Road

The Byzantine road goes from Lefkes to the village of Prodromos, about 4 kilometers to the east, and then continues to the sea. Originally it went from the port of Paroikia on the west coast, to the port of Piso Livadhi on the east. I went to 6 or 7 internet sites to find the age of the road, but couldn't find a date.

Stone house and wind mill

Byzantine road and Lefkes - The road meanders through the country side of olive trees and wind mills

lefkes in the back ground

End of the road for me - the village of Prodromos, with the hill of Ayios Antonios Church

There is something very provocative about seeing the two roads (the old Byzantine road and the new, paved one) in the same photo.