Historic Church Ruins in Paxos

Paxos, a small Greek island in the Ionian Sea, holds a large number of churches for its size. Of the many religious buildings, some are quite old and have fallen into ruins. Two notable examples are Agia Marina and Agios Stefanos, both located in the Ozias area at the southern end of the island. These are believed to be early Christian churches dating back to the 6th century AD. Today, they exist as low ruins, with only parts of the original stone walls, arches, and a dome left. They offer a look at the island’s early history. Beyond churches, Paxos has other old and ruined buildings that speak of its past. The Castle of Agios Nikolaos sits on a small island opposite the main port of Gaios. This Venetian fortress was started in 1423 to protect the area from pirates. While some parts are intact, it is an old structure with ruins inside, including an observation post and a well. Another structure is the Old Soap Factory near the village of Loggos. This building’s ruins stand on the edge of the beach, a reminder of the island’s former industrial life, which centered on olive oil production. In the inland area, old stone-carved cisterns can be found near the villages of Boikatika and Magazia. These ancient reservoirs were used to collect and store rainwater, showing the clever engineering of past residents, possibly dating back to the Roman time. Furthermore, old windmills like the one near Loggos are scattered around the island. Though no longer working, their stone bodies stand as architectural ruins that point to Paxos’ long agricultural history.