Lefkes: Village Culture, Churches and the Byzantine Road

Lefkes is one of the largest villages in the interior of Paros and also the island’s highest settlement. Ramnos, churches, the Festival of Karavolas and the Byzantine Road offer different starting points for planning a stay—from local culture and architecture to festivals and hiking.

Ramnos and Attractions

Lefkes’ main street is called Ramnos. It is home to several tourist shops and attractions, including neoclassical buildings. Attractions along the street also include the House of Literature and the Museum of Cycladic Folklore. The name Ramnos helps you locate the named cultural sites along a specific street in the village.

Churches and Architectural History

The Church of Panagias Ypapantis is in Lefkes and is also known as “Virgin Mary in the Cells.” Agia Aikaterini was built in 1726 and is a two-aisled chapel with two vaulted narthexes (entrance halls), a double bell tower and a domed roof. The rural chapel of Agias Kyriakis is also located in Pano Lefkes.

Monasteries Nearby

Southwest of Lefkes, near the source of the Vronta River, is the small monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, also known as Kaparos. Its small chapel was renovated in 1646. The Monastery of Agia Kyriaki lies southeast of Lefkes. The monk Mattheos Ragousi founded it in the 17th century; it closed in 1831 after the death of Gideon, the last monk living there.

Festival of Karavolas

The Festival of Karavolas is held annually on the first Saturday after August 15. If you plan your trip around the festival, check the date for that year. The food served includes large karavoles with skordalia and boiled potatoes, local cheeses, baked chickpeas and local wine; the menu may change. Music and dancing continue until dawn.

The Byzantine Road and Excursions

The Byzantine Road starts at Café Louki in Lefkes and connects Lefkes with Prodromos. It dates back to the Byzantine period around 1000 AD and is paved with Parian marble. The walk takes approximately 45 minutes; apart from a 150- to 200-meter-long section, the path is downhill. The route is also suitable for mountain biking.

An excursion to Ai Yiannis takes you to a place with plant life and running water. As well as the Lefkes–Prodromos route, this offers nature as a separate reason to take an excursion.

More Cultural Sites on Paros

Paros also has important early Christian architecture in Parikia. Panagia Ekatontapiliani is in the northeast of Parikia, near the harbor, and is one of Greece’s most important early Christian monuments. In the southern part of the church is the ancient baptistery, dating from the 4th century, considered the oldest and best-preserved baptistery in the Orthodox East. The Byzantine Museum of Parikia is also housed in Ekatontapiliani; its collections include rare icons, wood carvings and other religious relics from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.

Discover more destinations: Sarakiniko, Piso Livadi, Kolimpithres, Aliki, Náousa, Santa Maria, Molos, Andiparos

For the main travel overview: Paros.