Paros, Greece – 14 July 2026 — While Paros is continuing to attract attention for its beaches, architecture and luxury villa stays, 2026 is also shaping up to be one of the island’s most significant cultural years in recent history.
This September marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, one of the oldest and most important Christian monuments in Greece. Tradition holds that the church was founded in 326 AD by Saint Helen, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, with the Byzantine Emperor Justinian overseeing major rebuilding work in the 6th century. That makes it nearly eight centuries younger than Athens’ Parthenon, whose construction began in 447 BC, yet Ekatontapiliani still ranks among the very oldest surviving churches in the world.
Built using marble and architectural fragments reclaimed from Paros’s ancient Classical-era temples and sanctuaries, the church remains one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Aegean.
To commemorate the anniversary, the Municipality of Paros has organised a special programme of events which form part of a wider calendar of cultural events taking place across the island this summer.
These include:
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29 July 2026, opera arias Opera Under the Stars will be performed under the full moon at the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo on the nearby uninhabited island Despotiko, an archaeological site that recently featured in the final scenes of Amazon Prime’s thriller Malice.
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15 September 2026 – The Panagia Ekatontapiliani Church Celebration – ‘1700 Years of Christianity’. Celebration of 1700 years since the construction of Ekatontapiliani – ERT Symphony Orchestra with conductor Dimitris Katis for the performance of the works.
Eleni Skarveli, Director, Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) UK & Ireland Office comments: “Across the UK market, we are seeing growing demand for destinations that offer a genuine sense of place. Culture has become an essential part of the travel experience, allowing visitors to connect with local communities, traditions and heritage. Paros is a wonderful example of an island that rewards curiosity, inviting travellers to experience Greece beyond the expected.”
Alexandra Skaltsogianni, founder of Votsalakia Villas and Makria Miti said: “Visitors often arrive for the beaches and discover something much deeper. Paros has layers of history, culture and tradition that continue to shape life on the island today. The 1,700th anniversary of Panagia Ekatontapyliani is an important reminder that Paros has been a place of pilgrimage, culture and community for centuries.”
These events highlight a side of Paros that many international travellers still overlook. As travellers increasingly seek connections with the places they visit, Paros offers a compelling alternative to more commercialised Mediterranean destinations, balancing cultural heritage, village life, gastronomy and contemporary hospitality within a single island experience.
