The Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros Ai Yiannis Detis. A contemporary example of responsible tourism in the Aegean.

In an area consisting of 80 hectares within a beautiful peninsula in the bay of Naousa in Paros, Greece lies the Environmental and Cultural Park Of Paros Ai Yiannis Detis. Created in 2009 by the Municipality of Paros as a result of an initiative taken by active citizens and local associations, the Park represents a modern example for the development of benign forms of successful tourism practices for the standards of the Cyclades combining numerous recreational, athletic, cultural and environmental activities which take place throughout the year.The Peninsula of the Paros Park is an ideal opportunity for the visitor of Paros to become introduced and come into contact with a wild and authentic Cycladic natural landscape. At no more than 10 minutes away by car (20 minutes by boat)  from the cosmopolitan and touristy center of Naousa, the Paros Park is an unanticipated oasis amongst unique rock formations that have been chiseled by the north wind, caves, hidden coves, colorful wildflowers and sandy beaches. All together it is an ideal environment for naturalist and ecological activities, mild exercise and rejuvenation for body and soul  twelve months of the year.

The Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros at the Peninsula of Ai Yiannis Detis.

A truly authentic Cycladic Landscape

The peninsula is an area of exceptional beauty and purity, a truly authentic Aegean land and

seascape with an interesting inland and coastline, serene beaches, translucent waters and a

natural harbor.

Since the park opened many rare forms of flora have re-appeared, mostly low shrubs, wild flowers

and herbs, after many years of extensive livestock grazing. In the Cyclades alone we can find at

least 1200 different plant species and 92 plant families and many of these can be found at the

Agios Ioannis Peninsula. The visitor can also admire unique geological rock formations which have

been chiseled masterfully year after year by wind and sea along any of the seven park walking

paths,

The Monastery of Ai Yiannis (St. John) Detis

The name Agios Ioannis or Ai Yiannis (Saint John) can be found as early as 1530 in manuscript

portolan charts found at the Library of Greek Parliament. In the maps of the Russian fleet where

the troop installations are shown to be located in the bay of Naoussa (1770-1774) and in later

maps (1776 Gouffier) a building is shown where the present day monastery is located but

without any mention which indicates that it is a monastery or church.

The festival of the monastery of Ai Yiannis Detis is celebrated on August 29, the day of the

decapitation of St. John the Precursor. Pilgrims and religious followers assemble at the

monastery for an all night (esperinos) mass on the eve of the festival and remain until the early

morning hours.

Discover the light, color, scent and the pure island beauty of the Peninsula on one of the seven walking paths of the Paros Park.

Visitors of the Park can enjoy the beauty and stillness of an authentic natural landscape, one of the few which has remained on Paros after many years of rapid urban development. Seven clearly mapped out footpaths pass by some of the most magnificent spots of the peninsula. You can see unique geological rock formations, a multitude of wildflowers and herb bushes, natural resting places but also historic monuments which testify to the historical importance of the area. Depending on which footpath you take you will pass by a prehistoric settlement, the Pro-Byzantine Monastery of Ai Yiannis Detis, the spot where the headquarters of the Russian fleet were located during the so called “Orlofika” when the Greeks sided with the Russians in their war with Turkey, and the lighthouse of Cape Corakas, one of the 120 stone lighthouses in Greece. The footpaths are easy and are suitable for people of all ages and level of physical activity. The ideal seasons to explore the walks of the Paros Park are spring and autumn but the Park is always at its best, all year round. The best hours of the day for the summer months are from early morning until about 1pm and then again from 5pm till sunset, which is truly majestic when seen from the lighthouse of Cape Corakas. You should adjust the times accordingly for spring, autumn and winter.

The Beaches of the Agios Ioannis Peninsula and the Paros Park

The Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros has three beaches within the peninsula of Ai Yiannis Detis. The main beach, or Monastiri Beach as it is called is a wide, sandy and shallow beach protected by the north wind making it the perfect choice for safe swimming, water sports and beach games. The beach is an organized beach and provides sunbeds and umbrellas for optional hire. The Parko Beach Cafe is open from 10am to 7pm in from June till September serving refreshments and light snacks to beach goers.

At the other two beaches which dot the peninsula, Perikopetra and Turkou Ammos, you will experience a sense of freedom and pristine pleasure. Both beaches are in close proximity to the main beach of Monastiri and can be reached only on foot.

Environmental and Cultural Activities at the peninsula of Ai Yiannis (St. John) Detis and the Paros Park

The Paros Park hosts a wide array of high quality cultural, environmental, recreational and sport activities within the framework of sustainable management policy which ensure mild interventions and ecologically appropriate technical infrastructure.

During the summer months the park hosts a festival of cultural events, especially concerts, performed in the magnificent outdoor theater seating 800 guests, built in the rocks, with excellent acoustics and a view of the moonrise and the village of Naousa.

Throughout the year various environmental activities, mainly organized by the Park or in cooperation with other associations of Paros, are organized with the essential aim of creating community involvement and environmental concern through the development of ideals such as teamwork and volunteerism. Every year activities such as the planting of indigenous trees and plants, the cleaning of the beaches and surrounding area of the peninsula take place at regular intervals from May to October. Frequent thematic walking tours of the peninsula also take place during the year which focus on the flora, geology, rich local history but also the unique beauty of the area.

A brief mosaic of just some of the cultural and environmental activities that have taken place at the Paros Park.

Environmental Activities at the Paros Park

Environmental Activities Include:• Planting / Watering / Maintenance / Beach Cleaning

• The removal and hindrance of grazing

• The study and recording of the flora and fauna of the peninsula of Ai Yiannis Detis

• Reconstruction, development and maintenance of a network of 7 footpaths which cover the

peninsula

• The study and recording of the marine environment of the peninsula

• Activities which aim at making the neighboring shipyard more ecologically friendly

• Protection, which is achieved by the very existence of the Park, of the authentic naturalness of

the peninsula and the forbiddance of building, hunting and the use of motorized vehicles

throughout the protected area of the peninsula.

The Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros. A new perspective for sustainable tourism for the islands of the

Aegean.

The Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros at Ai Yiannis Detis (Paros Park Municipal S.A.) utilizes in a benign way the advantages of the peninsula with an aim to increase the environmental awareness among the residents of Paros and the Cyclades, to further develop and enrich the cultural scene and profile of the island while simultaneously creating a modern alternative tourist magnet, which combines culture, ecology, sports and recreation.By promoting environmental and cultural activities on the peninsula, the Park aims, among other things, to increase the participation of an already rapidly growing network of volunteers who actively participate with the Park for the development, promotion and production of its various public events. All the revenues which are generated from these actions are returned to the Park for its maintenance and for the investment in new environmental and cultural projects. The company’s primary ambition is to therefore project the Park as a model example of community service and, secondly, to provide another perspective of cultural and quality tourism on our islands and of Greece.

Getting to the Paros Park

The Paros Park can be reached by car or taxi.

From Parikia take the Parikia-Naousa road and turn left at the sign for Kolimbithres and

continue till the end of the road. Travel time is approximately 20-25 minutes.

From Naousa take the road towards Parikia, turn right at the sign for Kolimbithres and

continue till the end of the road. Travel time is approximately 10 minutes.

Parking is available at the entrance of the Paros Park which is located by the Monastiri

Beach. Cars, motorcycles and other vehicles are strictly prohibited in all other areas of the

park.

You can also get there by boat from the port of Naousa. Schedules are regular to and from

the Park during the summer months.

The Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros.Who We Are

The Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros was created by the local organization NIREAS and a

group of citizens and friends of Paros, who in June 2008 presented their proposal for the overall

protection and enhancement of the peninsula and its transformation into the "Environmental

and Cultural Park of Paros"  to the Muncipal Council of Paros. The proposal was

unanimously accepted by the City Council, which commissioned the implementation of a joint

committee of citizens and  city councilors. As of May 2009, the creation of the Park and its

management is handled by Paros Park Municipal S.A. and its sole shareholder is the Municipality

of Paros. 

The Members of the Board of Directors of Paros Park Municipal S.A.

Elisavet Papazoi, President

Maria Tripolitsiotou, Vice President

Yiannis Koulianos, CEO

Anna Kagani, Member

Anna Polichandrioti, Member

Giorgos Bafitis, Member

Nikos Malatestas, Member

The Environmental and Cultural Park of ParosAi Yiannis Detis, Naousa, Paros

Contact Information

www.parospark.com

http://www.parosparkfestival.com

contact@parospark.com

Land Line: +30/22840/53573

Mobile: +30-6936683403