Even higher up, on the northern slope of the island’s mountains, you will come across the abandoned village of Palio Pyli (the old Pyli), opening up a vista of the towns of Marmari, Tigaki, the salt lake Alykes, and the sea. An imposing castle from the 11th century once formed the heart of this place. You can still explore the ruins today. However, the best-preserved buildings in Palio Pyli are two little churches: Asómati Taxiárches Gavriíl ke Miachaíl and the Church of Our Lady Panagía ton Kastrianón. From the sea, it’s difficult to spot this village below the fortress. Its location protected it from pirates, but unfortunately not from disease: Cholera drove the residents out of Palio Pyli.