The Ancient Quarries of Paros

Historically, the identity of Paros is inextricably linked with its fine white marble and its ancient quarries.

The Parian marble (lychnitis) became the dominant medium in monumental art for over a thousand years and was the source of treasures that adore famous museums throughout the world, such as the Hermes of Praxiteles, Nike of Samothrace and Venus de Milo.

The quarries and the multitude of associated activities were also the source of wealth and prestige for the island and have left a unique cultural heritage.

This talk will take us through the history of the ancient marble quarries and their unique cultural heritage, the current state of the archaeological area of Marathi and the efforts to preserve the ancient quarries and gain recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The talk will be in English, by Haris Martinos, a member of the non-profit organisation set up in 2022 for the promotion of the ancient quarries.

It will include slides and short videos.