Trigono Lamda - The doors of Pylos

About Pylos

View of Pylos from road near the castle

Pylos is about 11 kilometres to the North of Methoni and is a busy town with a port deep enough for large ships. The historic town sits on a steep hillside overlooking Navarino Bay and boasts a large castle, a number of hotels, banks, utilities offices for the area, a tax office and and a variety of shops and business premises.

Buses stop at Pylos before going on to Methoni, Foinikounda and other local towns and villages and bus tickets can be purchased at a KTEL office close to the main square, which is where people rest or conduct business during the day. Several taxis are available for those who prefer not to wait for a bus. It takes more effort to walk around Pylos than other local places because of it's hills; however, it's worth the effort to climb the steps up to the beautiful church with its silver dome, visit the shops on the back roads, including bookshops, view the ravine that splits the town and look out to sea where there are spectacular rock formations.

Although there is an air of activity, Pylos is still a relaxing place to be.

The October celebration of the Battle of Navarino is a special calendar event which many Methonians attend, along with visitors from a wide area. It is charaterised by parades and the imposing presence of large naval vessels from Britain, France and Russia which were the countries who assisted Greece in ending many years of Turkish occupation.

Pylos Doors

Wooden house door with wrought iron grille Detail of house door and floor tiles

The photos were taken along the quieter roads of Pylos in the oldest part of town. They are more typical of house or office buildings than of shops. The second picture shows detail of the wooden moulded construction of the first door and the geometric tile designs which are sadly being replaced in many buildings.

painted wooden door painted door detail showing brass rod handle The second door is notable for its large, brass rod handle, placed at an angle but spanning the width of the door. Door furniture is interesting; one classic door knocker is cast in brass in the shape of a hand.

grey door with glass inset panels traditional Greek arched doorway with balcony overhead

Pylos has the typical range of Peloponnesian architecture. Most of the oldest surviving buildings are square, stone houses with small balconies to the upper rooms or at least over the central door. They are up to two centuries old and have no doubt seen several changes of door style, from simple vertical wooden plank doors to modern designs.

Traditional Boarded and glazed house door Traditional Boarded store-room door

Classic double door A number of buildings have double doors with glazed panels, giving a wider opening more suitable for use as business premises.

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