An Archeological Park in the quarries' area of Marathi, Paros.

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An Archaeological Park is born!

Welcome to the website of the non-profit organisation “Paros Ancient Marble Quarries Park AMKE”.

Our organisation was created in 2022 by six Parian associations to protect and promote the unique history and cultural heritage of the underground and surface quarries of Paros.

We aim to create an Archaeological and Cultural Park in the quarries’ area, and our long-term vision is for the park to be recognised as a World Heritage site.

The website is still developing; we will continue improving and adding content and functionalities. Your feedback is welcome! You can drop us a line!

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Plan a guided visit to the archaeological area of the Ancient Marble Quarries

The Marathi Quarries

An extensive complex of quarries for surface and underground mining of the famous Parian marble, known as Paria Lithos, was developed in Marathi in antiquity (mainly from the 7th century BC onwards). Today it is known that the quarries covered a wider area than the galleries of the Nymphs and Pan.

a stele (column) with the inscription horos poleos (marker of the city border)

Parian Marble

The most important marble quarries of Paros are located on the north side of Mount Marpissa (known today as Agioi Pantes), on the banks of the stream Skarpathiotis (or Xiropotamos, in more recent maps), east of the settlement of Marathi, at a distance of about 6 km from Parikia.

18th century carving of the relief of the Nymphs

Quarry of the Nymphs

The quarry of the Nymphs is the most famous among the quarries of Marathi. It took its name from the votive inscripted relief, carved in natural stone on the left side of the south gallery, a tribute of Adamas from Thrace to the Nymphs, a work of the 4th century B.C.

Quarry of Pan

The quarry of Pan is the second large quarry in the area of Marathi. It does not display any particular differences in shape or dimensions in comparison to the quarry of the Nymphs. It is also inclined, but has less deposits of waste material as a result of the plan of extraction.

Creation of an "Ancient Quarries Park"

The Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Municipality of Paros in collaboration with the non-profit Organisation Paros Ancient Marble Quarries Park, supported by cultural and professional associations of the island, are developing a long term plan aiming to promote the area.

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