Four windmills stand in Marpissa’s main square. Churches and museums provide further concrete points of interest for those interested in culture, while monasteries in the surrounding area broaden the perspective beyond the village itself. When choosing accommodation, it is therefore helpful to consider whether you mainly want to explore church architecture and local history, are interested in sculpture, or also plan to visit places nearby. The following sites differ in subject matter and location.
Churches and Local History
Agios Modestos is one of Marpissa’s old churches and is dedicated to local farmers. The Metamorfosi Church, also called Metamorphosis Sotiros, is a Byzantine metropolitan church and a cruciform basilica. Its tiled roof and brick dome are part of its architecture; it was built in 1960 near the windmills. Another example is Evangelismos tis Theotokou: this small, whitewashed church stands in the centre of Marpissa and is classified as a historic monument because of its architecture and important icons. Together, the churches illustrate different features: a dedication, architectural forms with a specific construction date, and a monument whose classification takes both architecture and icons into account.
Museums and Remembrance
The Folklore Museum of Marpissa is housed in a restored stone building in the village centre, on Agios Nikolaos Square. The Nikos Perantinos Sculpture Museum is located on a hill in Marpissa, on the eastern side of Paros. It is housed in a renovated neoclassical building with five large halls displaying sculptures by Nikos Perantinos. The museums differ in their buildings and focus: the Folklore Museum is defined by its stone building and central square, while the sculpture museum focuses on a sculptor and neoclassical architecture. A memorial commemorates Nikolas Stellas, who died on 22 May 1944 while resisting the German occupation. The occupation period is thus also part of local remembrance.
Routes, Monasteries and Events
A short hike leads southwest from Marpissa along a flat gravel road and continues beyond the village. A path leads from the main square to the Monastery of Agios Antonios, which stands on the summit of Kefalos Hill near Marpissa and was founded in 1597. The two route descriptions differ in their orientation: the hike is defined by its surface and compass direction, while the other path leads to a specific destination. To the west of Marpissa, in the surrounding area, lies the Monastery of Agios Georgios Lagadas; it dates from the 16th century and has been renovated.
The three-day Routes Festival also groups activities around themed routes through the traditional settlement of Marpissa. If you would like to include this event in your trip, check the specific event dates when planning. Marpissa is also associated with depictions of the Passion of Christ on its cobbled streets on Good Friday.
Marpissa Within the Wider Destination of Paros
Marpissa is part of the wider destination of Paros. Those who also take the wider island into account will find cultural sites in Parikia and Lefkes. Parikia is home to Panagia Ekatontapiliani, one of Greece’s most important early Christian monuments. The southern part of the church contains the 4th-century baptistery, considered the oldest and best-preserved baptistery in the Orthodox East. The monument also houses the Byzantine Museum of Parikia, with rare icons, woodcarvings and other religious relics from the Byzantine era and Ottoman rule. In Lefkes stands Agia Triada, a listed church built in 1835 from Parian marble. It is a three-aisled basilica with a raised central nave and two bell towers. These sites on Paros form a distinct regional focus alongside Marpissa’s churches, museums and windmills.
Discover more destinations: Santa Maria, Molos, Naousa, Aliki, Kolimpithres, Parasporos, Drios, Antiparos
Back to the main travel guide: Paros.
