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Modern Description: Theodore Bent called Antiparos ‘a place without a history' – an ironic comment for a man who pioneered, through his excavations on this island, the discovery of what is now called Early Cycladic culture. Strabo refers to Antiparos as Oliaros, and the lexicographer Stephanus of Byzantium called it a Phoenician colony (the name perhaps means ‘wooded mountain'). The town of Antiparos, behind the attractive waterfront, was built in the 15th century in an unprotected position which left it vulnerable to pirate attack. It relied on its quadrant of walls, formed by the high, reinforced exterior of the circuit of dwellings, which opened onto the interior space. The single gate into the enclosure is still visible, with rectangular marble blocks from an ancient structure forming part of the base to the right: the arch is faced with dressed stones on its inner side, giving it a slightly pointed profile. Ahead of the gate is a flight of steps which leads to a raised area (now a water cistern) which constituted the base of the original central tower which stood here: some of its lower structure and talus are visible. This suggests that there was at least a tower and cluster of dwellings around it, before the planned settlement was begun in 1440 – the year in which the island was given in marriage dowry by the Sommaripa Duke of Paros to the Venetian, Leonardo Loredan (sitter in the celebrated portrait by Giovanni Bellini, now in the National Gallery in London). Both to build and populate the new Kastro, Loredan brought in settlers from the neighbouring islands. The principal church of Aghios Nikolaos, which bears its founder's inscription over the door, was begun in 1645, which must mark the beginnings of a tentative expansion beyond the confines of the fortifications. The town continued to be prey to pirate raids however, and as late as 1790 was sacked and left with a markedly reduced population.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiparos
Wikidata ID: Q216985
Trismegistos Geo: 33239

Info: McGilchrist's Greek Islands

(From McGilchrist’s Greek Islands, © Nigel McGilchrist 2010, excerpted with his gracious permission. Click for the books)

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