Kos Bike ride. Old Pyli settlement and fortress. Taxiarhon, St. Mary, Agios Antonios, Panagia Church

Описание: Bike ride on Greek island Kos - cycling in Greece. bike route from Marmari to (Paleo) Old Pyli.
Bike tor to Kos must see sights.
Kos is known as Greece's bicycle island with cycle lanes in the main town, there's no better way to explore Kos than hopping on a bike!
The settlement of Old Pyli is situated strategically in an easily defendable position on the western side of the Dikaios mountain range at a height of around 300 m above sea level. It is located on the southern side of the Castle of Palaio Pyli, next to a mountainous valley with waters, at a site called Paliambeli or Paliambela. The entire settlement constituted a peculiar fortress that was abandoned by its inhabitants around 1830, after a decimating epidemic (cholera). The settlement covers a very large area and within it there are a lot of paved roads, abandoned houses, a Turkish bath, and three churches, namely the Monastery or Church of Saint Mary Kastrianon. The houses of this settlement were protected by cyclical walls that date from the 11th century and enclosed the hillside at various heights. The ends of the arched vault of the crumbled entrance are still visible, with two decorative vaulted niches made of brick on both sides of the gate.
This center including the castle is one of the most important byzantine historical sites on the island of Kos. It has often been compared to Mystras and has even been named the Mystras of the Dodekanese.
At the top of the hill of Old Pyli, on the western part of the Dikaios mountain range and between the villages of Pyli and Lagoudi, you will notice the remains of the Old Pyli fortress that was built in the 11th-12th century. It is the oldest castle of Kos and was inhabited until the beginning of the 19th century. The castle is built of limestone and igneous rock, and the use of bricks is unique in the whole of the Dodecanese. The castle was very well fortified and the inaccessibility of the place protected it from enemy attacks. A settlement was built on its southern side.
The entrance gate was built around the end of the 11th century AD or at the beginning of the 12th century by a byzantine administrator. During the 15th century and under the threat of a Turkish invasion the Castle was often used as a refuge for the people of the area as well as the population of the city of Kos. By 1461 it was the only manned castle left and fortifications were improved while ammunition was accumulated. The castle, was seriously damaged by the 1493 earthquake and eventually fell into the hands of the Ottomans in 1523. Parts of the castle were restored by the Ottomans but the area was abandoned in the beginning of the 19th century due to an epidemic. The residents resettled in Asfendiou and Pyli, which were co-administered at the time. Asfendiou consisted of 5 hamlets, namely Lagoudi, Kariotes, Asomatos, Haihoutes and Asfendiou proper, while Pyli consisted of three separate quarters, namely Amaniou, Patriko and Peripatos.
The Church of Taxiarhon Archangels Michael and Gabriel is situated in the south western part of the settlement of Old Pyli. The structure was built gradually and you can clearly distinguish three phases. The eastern part of the main building dates back to the Byzantine era. The Communion table is built in and has two apses. The church of Taxiarhon was extended towards the west (3.75m*3.00m) by adding an extra chamber and a semi circular roof during the period of the Knights of St John. A rectangular ante nave was later added with a flat roof made of wood and argyle. On the outside on the southern part, you can still see the remains of arches which supported the portico. Inside the church there are plenty of wall paintings dating back to the 14th and 16th century.
The Church of Saint Mary Kastrianon (or Panayia i Ypapanti or Flevariotissa) is situated inside the Old Pyli settlement. The Monastery was founded before 1080 AD by the monk Christodoulos Latrinos (Saint Christodoulos), on the property of a Koan monk named Skinouris, when he came to Kos after leaving Strovillo in Asia Minor. It is dedicated to St Mary and parishioners hold a big celebration to this day on the 2nd of February. The church was raised in three phases.
There are a number of exquisite murals. The oldest ones depict saints and the Genesis of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and date back to the 12th century.
Unfortunately the Monastery of St Mary Kastrianon is usually locked and rarely accessible to the public. To see the interior one would probably have to join the festivities on the 2nd of February.

0:00 View point
1:20 Taverna Old Pyli ( Paleo Pyli )
2:18 View point
4:57 Parking
6:32 Pasture, man in fustanella
10:00 I.N. Pamegiston Taxiarchon
12:00 Old Pyli
13:22 Tortoise - land-dwelling turtle
16:32 I.N. Agios Antonios
21:15 Dragon Arum, Dracunculus vulgaris
24:14 Fig
25:00 Church of Panagia ton Kastriani (SAINT MARY)
31:00 Old Pyli Fortress
33:00 Byzantine gate
36:33 Fortress Panoramic views, Taverne Oria
42:24 Bike ride