THE CASTLE OF OLD PYLI. Some 3-4 kilometers southeastern to Pyli, you may visit the old town of Pyli («Palio Pyli»), a semi-ruined, abandoned settlement. It is here, at the mountain Dikaio that used to be the town of Pyli, with the Byzantine castle at the top of a hill, overlooking the whole area.The Castle was constructed during the Macedonian Dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, who dominated from the 9th to 11th centuries.When the island of Kos was conquered by the Knights of St John, the castle was restored and strengthened, in order to ensure the defense of the area. It is really worth seeing and if you walk up here, you will certainly be rewarded for the effort: the view is breathtaking; you will see Marmari, the islands of Pserimos and Kalymnos and far in the horizon you will discern the coasts of Western Turkey (the Bodrum peninsula). In old Pyli you may also see the church of Ypapanti, built in the 14th century, with excellent wall paintings, a wonderful wood carved icon screen and columns taken from an ancient Greek temple that existed before, possibly dedicated to Demeter. You may also visit the tiny church of the Byzantine lord Michael and nearby, within a clump of fir-trees, you will find a spring which in the past served to watering the animals.
Some 3-4 kilometers southeastern to Pyli, you may visit the old town of Pyli («Palio Pyli»), a semi-ruined, abandoned settlement. It is here, at the mountain Dikaio that used to be the town of Pyli, with the Byzantine castle at the top of a hill, overlooking the whole area.The Castle was constructed during the Macedonian Dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, who dominated from the 9th to 11th centuries.When the island of Kos was conquered by the Knights of St John, the castle was restored and strengthened, in order to ensure the defense of the area. It is really worth seeing and if you walk up here, you will certainly be rewarded for the effort: the view is breathtaking; you will see Marmari, the islands of Pserimos and Kalymnos and far in the horizon you will discern the coasts of Western Turkey (the Bodrum peninsula). In old Pyli you may also see the church of Ypapanti, built in the 14th century, with excellent wall paintings, a wonderful wood carved icon screen and columns taken from an ancient Greek temple that existed before, possibly dedicated to Demeter. You may also visit the tiny church of the Byzantine lord Michael and nearby, within a clump of fir-trees, you will find a spring which in the past served to watering the animals.
Last update: 06-11-2012
