Ancient Marble Quarries of Marathi
Αρχαία Λατομεία Μαρμάρου Μαραθίου
Ancient underground galleries that produced translucent Parian marble, the stone source for famous works such as the Venus de Milo.
The ancient quarries near the village of Marathi are the origin of Parian marble (Lychnites). This fine, translucent white marble was used for classical masterpieces such as the Venus de Milo and the Nike of Samothrace, and for many temples. Today you can see the entrances to ancient galleries burrowing into the mountain, Roman-era nymph reliefs, and remains of mining equipment left by a 19th-century French company. Admission is free. The galleries have no lighting and are dangerous, so going deep inside is not recommended. A walk along the path takes about 40 minutes; the quarries lie beside the road from Parikia to Lefkes.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Longovarda Monastery
- Lefkes
- Byzantine Road (Lefkes–Prodromos)
- Ancient Cemetery of Parikia
- Archaeological Museum of Paros
- Panagia Ekatontapiliani
- Kolymbithres Beach
- Parikia Old Town