Kos Byzantine Castle of Pyli

Location: Pyli

Built on top of a naturally fortified hill, 300 meters above sea level, Palaio Pyli Castle lies just 15 kilometers from Kos Town, surrounded by the ruins of the abandoned castle town that used to stand there till the early 19th century.

According to the records, the area was uninhabited till Christodoulos of Patmos came there in 1080 seeking refuge. Then, he decided to found a monastery, as well as a castle to protect it, and, within a few years, a settlement had been formed around it, which evolved into one of the island’s major medieval centers. During the rule of the Knights of Saint John, who took control of Kos immediately after capturing Rhodes, the castle afforded the locals significant protection against pirate raids, while, after the island was occupied by the Ottomans in 1523, it played a major role in the residents’ resistance against the new rulers. Eventually, Palaio Pyli was abandoned around 1813 or 1830, probably because of an epidemic outbreak that decimated the population.

However, the earliest human activity on the hill dates back to the Mycenaean times, and traces of Cyclopean masonry can still be observed on the northeastern side of the steep hill; the other major construction phases which can be discerned date from the Byzantine era and the rule of the Knights. The fortifications are surrounded by three partially-preserved enceintes, with seven surviving towers constructed at different times.

The part that stands out is the rectangular main gate, surrounded by four semicircular arches. The only constructions within the walls that have been preserved in their entirety include an unidentified building and a large underground cistern. Walking around the cobblestone streets of the abandoned castle town, one can still see the ruins of the houses, as well as the chapels of Agios Antonios, Panagia Kastriani and Agioi Asomati.

This Byzantine castle town, the so-called Mystras of the Dodecanese, can be accessed via a 3-kilometer-long forest path that starts at the present-day village of Pyli. From the top of the hill, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the whole island, as well as of Kalymnos, Pserimos and the coasts of neighboring Turkey.