Marpissa

About

Marpissa is 17 kilometers east of Parikia. It is built on the top of a small hill, the center of which is dominated by the temple of Metamorphosis, which is in the Byzantine style. An attractive village, with beautiful 16th and 17th century houses, windmills and traditional churches, Marpissa is amphitheatrically built. In the small square of the village four windmills welcome the visitor, and from there starts the path leading to the monastery of Agios Antonios. The view from the top of the hill where the monastery is located is stunning.

Sights

In Marpissa there is a sculpture museum: ‘Nikos Perantinos’. This unique artist wanted to follow the tradition of Sculpture in Paros and his unmistakable aesthetic works are housed in a renovated neoclassical building. The great Byzantine church of Metamorphosis and the monument of Nikola Stella also stand out. Finally, visit the small chapel of Evaggelismos and admire the gold-plated iconostasis and bell tower.

Events

Easter is a very special period in Marpissa. On Good Friday, the representations of the Passion of Christ, while on Easter Sunday a real Greek festival takes place. And of course, if we are looking for a major cultural event that takes place in this village then we need to mention ‘Marpissa art trails’. It is a three day, experiential, cultural festival, that is organized by a volunteer group and happens every August. Its central idea is to create art trails of interest inside the village, focusing on architecture, folklore, music, visual arts and the environment. The ‘Routes’ are based on the characteristics and the scale of the village and reveal with respect the special Cycladic physiognomy of the place. A real impression is the fact that an experiential approach to the activities is achieved, so that the participation and interaction of residents, visitors and volunteers lead together to the amazing creative result! The goals of the team are to be authentic, to encourage teamwork and action, to develop creativity, to enrich knowledge and to enhance human contact and communication.