Every year, the 23 August, the charming village of Naoussa, on the Greek island of Paros, hosts one of the most anticipated events by the inhabitants: The Pirate Festival, also known as the Pirate Barbarossa Festival.
The event takes place nine days after the Assumption of the Virgin, to celebrate the victory achieved by the inhabitants of Paros, against the pirates and Barbarossa in the 1537. During the Middle Ages, in fact, the pirates used to raid the cities and islands where they often raided. Many Cycladic villages were rendered almost invisible by the sea, so that the pirates could believe that they were uninhabited.
The preparations and the festivities begin a few days later the Assumption. On August 23rd, the whole village is celebrating. The young people of the country, parading with masks and disguises in perfect pirate style, to represent the raids. In the sky, fireworks warn of the presence of corsairs and enemy fire. All in a real representation of a battle!
The Festival dei Pirati, then, continues until dawn, with songs, dances and traditional dances. You can have fun, go wild and drink rivers of … suma, the typical Paros distillate. And of course, great food.
PRACTICAL INFO
HOW TO GET
Naoussa is located about 10 kilometers north-east of Parikia, the capital of the island of Páros.
By car, it can be reached in about 20 minutes, through Epar. Od. Parikia-Naoussa, which you will have to travel for 8 kilometers.
The Greek KTEL guarantees bus connections between the capital and Naoussa. The bus operates every day, with the following times:
From Parikia. From Monday to Friday, 07:25, 09:00, 10:40, 12:10, 14:15, 16:00. Weekend, 09:00, 12:10, 14:00 (Saturday only).
From Naoussa. From Monday to Friday, 07:45, 08:10, 09:30, 11:00, 12:30, 13:30, 14:35, 15:50. Weekend, 09:30, 12:30, 14:30 (Saturday only).
The ticket can be purchased directly on board the vehicle, at the cost of €2,50 per person.
