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Palio Pyli, also called Old/Alt Pyli, is unfortunately not accessible by bus, but only by private vehicle – for me one of the most beautiful spots on the island.
Where exactly is Palio Pyli located?
On the road to Pyli, a left turn leads off to the right.
You can park the car at the source.
The hiking trail is actually well-signposted, but here is the route again in Googlemaps:
[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1VhcYbJiXyqltCaaWUoyOQfnIDyI&w=640&h=480]
Alt Pyli was the capital in the Byzantine Empire; the castle was built in the 11th century; for those times, the location was perfect. One had a view of the Ottoman coast, but the fortress was hardly visible from the sea and thus well protected against pirate attacks.
What is there to see in Palio Pyli?
Even in the high season, very few tourists venture into the fortress, and you feel transported into a different era in the ancient ruins. Most of the buildings and houses are in a very poor state:
The village dates back to the 15th century and was abandoned in 1830 after a cholera epidemic.
However, the churches are well preserved. The first church at the entrance is dedicated to the Archangels Gabriel and Michael.
The Panagia Marian Church is larger and can be easily seen from the bell tower.
Both churches date from the 11th century.
Unfortunately, both were closed when we visited.
Behind the Panagia Church the ascent to the fortress begins as well. The castle is not secured and you have to climb some uneven steps. The ascent is not possible with a stroller and not entirely safe for small children.
The ascent to the castle in Palio Pyli, however, is not for the faint-hearted and not suitable for non-sports enthusiasts (but not in flip-flops).
The Café
Directly opposite the castle is the small café where we enjoyed a small refreshment. If you just want to go to Oria, just keep to the right as you ascend. The path is signposted, but you’ll also have to climb uneven stairs here.
By the way, Georgios in Palio Pyli also has the coolest toilet on the island, because it was built in a rock shelter and is open to the top.
The total distance to the castle and to Oria was just 40 minutes. Thus, a visit can be easily combined with a visit to the surrounding villages.
P.S. There is an alternative for families with small children:
Just follow the road to the source. There, an unpaved, fairly flat road leads to a large meadow with a ruin that invites you to picnic. Many turtles also gather along the road along the way. How many turtles can you find along the route?
For car rentals from Germany, I recommend the portal Check24*
You can find more about the island and hidden highlights in my Travel guide*
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The center of the island
Cardamena
Kefalos
Mastichari
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