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Modern Description: On a conical hill overlooking Fteliá and Panormos Bay from the east, is Palaiokastro (7.5 km). From a distance the enceinte of mediaeval walls at the crown of the hill can be seen, with the church of Aghia Triada at the summit. The walls are considerably ruined and are built over a Byzantine fort, which in turn is built on an older ancient enceinte. This is best seen on the northwest side overlooking the bay. The central well (now filled) can still be seen. The 6th century BC explorer, Scylax of Caryanda, refers to Mykonos as ‘dipolis', i.e. possessing two cities, and it is presumed that this would have been the acropolis of the island's second city in antiquity, possibly named Panormos. In 1207 Mykonos was taken by the Venetians Andrea, and Geremia Ghisi, who were lords also of Tinos and the Sporades. The mediaeval remains here are from their subsequent fortress on the site. Below to the southeast are the ruins of mediaeval buildings, with a small chapel containing meagre remains of wall-paintings in the east end and apse. One of the ruined buildings encloses the foundations of an apsidal, single-aisle church dating probably from the 13th century.

Info: McGilchrist's Greek Islands

(From McGilchrist’s Greek Islands, © Nigel McGilchrist 2010, excerpted with his gracious permission. Click for the books)

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