The Portaikos flows through Pýli; the town was formerly known as Porta Pazar. In and around Pýli, visitors can explore a variety of interests: bridge construction, hiking destinations, a climbing area, wine tasting and historical remembrance. When planning your stay, you can first choose based on your specific interests and then take into account the relevant conditions.
Bridges and the history of their construction
Six bridges close to one another on the Portaikos near Pýli together form the Bridge Park. They date from 1514 to 2014 and differ in their construction. The span covers five centuries, so comparisons involve both their place in time and their different structures.
The nearby Bridge of Saint Vissarion near Pýli has a single arch with a semicircular opening. It is 30 metres high and has a span of 29 metres. Among the traditional bridges of Thessaly, its span is the second largest; this ranking refers to the span, not the height. The height and span are therefore almost equal, with the span just one metre shorter than the height.
The nearby Church of Porta Panagia is also one of the historical sites in the area. It was built in 1283 as the katholikon of the stavropegial Monastery of the Great Gates. A pedestrian bridge leads to the site of Pýli’s former settlement; it is 120 metres long and two metres wide.
Hiking and climbing
Two different hiking trails lead from Platanos Square to different destinations: one to the ancient Athenaion Fort, the other to Profitis Ilias on Itamos. An additional trail to the Athenaion Fort starts opposite Pýli’s arched bridge; check before setting out whether it is currently accessible and what condition the trail is in. This gives you a choice between two destinations starting from Platanos Square; for the Athenaion, there is also the starting point by the bridge.
The ancient Athenaion Fort is difficult to access. Before setting out, check access and the current condition of the trail, especially if this destination is the deciding factor in your choice.
A climbing area was established in 1996 on the Koziakas side of Pýli’s arched bridge. It has 15 routes graded from 7c− to 8a+. The number of routes and grades may change; check the information before your visit.
Wine and remembrance
Guests can taste traditional wines at Κελάρι Περγαντή in Pýli. If you plan to visit for a tasting, confirm the current arrangements in advance.
The Battle of Porta took place on 8 and 9 June 1943 against Italian occupation forces. The Municipality of Pýli holds two-day commemorations and ceremonies honouring the battle. If you would like to include the ceremonies in your trip, check the dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Vlacha, Paleochori, Vasilikí, Kalampaka, Longá, Gavros, Zarko, Apostoli
For the overview of the wider area: Trikala.
