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Pyli is located 15 kilometers south-west of Kos town and about 4 kilometers south of Marmari, and has 2.500 permanent residents. In the past its name was “Peli” and it is built in the centre of the island in verdurous lowland with big olive trees and lots of green. The beautiful traditionally built stone houses,
counting a few hundreds, surround the central square along with the traditional coffeehouses and the small taverns complete Pyli’s daily life. Here you can find the Pyliotiko Spiti (Pyli’s House) an old house with three rooms, where the kitchen, the living room and the bedroom are still preserved just as they were in the past, with original furniture and little things, as left by its owners 70 years ago. At a distance of 100 meters from the house there is a spring of cool water, flowing from 6 fountains and right beside the spring, you will see the ancient vaults, which, according to tradition, are related to the local hero of the island. Right next to the small church Stavros (Holy Cross) stands the impressive Charmilion, a complex of burials dated to the Hellenistic period and also related to the worship of the local hero and his descendants.
2 kilometers before arriving to Pyli, there is a small artificial lake, which is used to water the plains’ cultivations. About 3-4 kilometres southeast you’ll see the Palio Pyli (Old Pyli) a semi-ruined, abandoned settlement with the Byzantine castle at the top of a hill. The Castle was constructed during the Macedonian Dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, who ruled from the 9th to 11th centuries. When the island of Kos wasKos Village Pyli Lake conquered by the Knights of St John, the castle was restored and strengthened, in order to ensure the area’s defense. An incredible view awaits the visitors all the way down to the sea past Marmari, stretching as far as the islands of Pserimos and Kalimnos and even the coasts of Western Turkey (the Bodrum peninsula) are also visible. In old Pyli you may also see the church of Ipapanti (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 Goddess Dimitra. You may also visit the tiny church of the Byzantine lord Michael and within a clump of fir-trees, you will find a spring which in the past served to watering the animals. Finally next to the port at Marmari, you may see the old salt pans of the island. You can stay at the village and eat good food at the taverns with the local and European cuisine. You can have your swim, sunbathe and enjoy water sports at the well organized long beach of Marmari.
The Carnival in Pyli takes place in February where you will really have fun and also on the name day of Agios Georgios (St. George), a locaKos Village Pyli Mountain Viewl festival and unique horse races take place. There is a local festivity also in the summer on the 23rd of June, in honour of Agios Ioannis the Klidonas (St John Klidonas). Finally, throughout August a series of cultural activities are organized by the Municipality of Pyli, which attract a lot of visitors. Health problems are covered by the local Medical Centre. You will also find a Police Station at the village. Access from Kos town (15 kilometers) is easy by public bus, running frequently, by taxi, by car and motorbike. If you have a yacht, the port of Marmari offers facilities of mooring; it may serve as your base for your excursions to the rest of the island and to the small islets around.