Agia Paraskevi Chapel by the Sea
Sightseeing
A small blue-and-white chapel in its own cove on the north-east coast, past the Fonias bridge, with a summer feast on 26 July.
- Sightseeing
A chapel on its own little beach
About two kilometres east of the bridge over the Fonias river, a short dirt road leads down from the coast road to a cove with a small church dedicated to Agia Paraskevi. It is often called the Agia Paraskevi of Ano Meria, though it stands on the shore rather than in the village; the island has a second church of the same name near the Sanctuary in Palaiopoli.
The chapel has blue doors and windows, a tiled roof weighed down with stones against the wind and a small belfry with a blue cross. It was rebuilt in 1961 after a fire. Excavations nearby found traces of a Roman settlement, and local legend says an emperor died on this spot.
What you find
- A quiet churchyard with a fountain and benches under young plane trees.
- A pebbly cove where cormorants rest on the rocks offshore.
- A plain interior with a few gold-ground icons.
The feast
On 26 July, the feast of Agia Paraskevi, a service and panigyri are held here, and people share gorgovrasto, the island dish of rice and goat. It is an easy stop on the way to Kipos Beach.
