Pyles.

  One of Karpathos 12 villages, is Pyles.
The smaller, demographicly, village, built in the western side
of the island, has a panoramic view to the neighbouring historical
island of Kasos and the mountains of Sitia.
It is litteraly drowned in the green from it's many crop fields and
each evening, one can enjoy there a splendid sunset!

Our village was first colonized in the 17th century from refugees,
that left from the coasts of the island, where they initially lived,
trying to avoid the pirates. Additionally people joined in from Crete
and Kasos during the 1821 Revolution.

The village followed the fate of Karpathos (turkish, german-italian occupation), resisted bravely against the conquerors,
took part in the liberal fights and was from the first that had the joy
of release (1944) and incorporation (1947) with Mother Greece!

Sergeant Konstantinos Psillis, from Chios, who was killed
by a bombshell in the Proni is burried in the cementery of the village.

The people of Pyles were scattered in the four corners of the Earth. Assiduous, as they are, they've suceeded and flourished,
wherever they went. However, they love and visit their village by first chance. They contribute in each beneficial to the public work and
are always interested in its progress.

The name

  Many various versions exist, about the naming of our village.

Some say that there were gates (Pyles) around or that the village
itself was a gate (passage,entry) which linked the northern villages
with those at the south side of the island.

Others say that the name is because of the clay (writen p(y)los)
or that there were caves around (sp(y)lies) and the word survived
as Pyles ...

Education

  Pyles, most known for its many skillful teachers, got the nickname
"the village of the teachers". In 1908, with expenses of the Church Committee, the school was bought and was rebuilt in 1925.
The building was again damaged from earthquakes and was one's
more rebuild in 1994 and since then it accommodates
the Common Office and the Common Medical Center.

The new building was built in 1985 on a privately owned public land
at the edge of the village. It is an up to date educational center,
well equipped with all of the modern electronic educational devises.

The avant-garde programs "Logomatheia" and "Network of Schools of Greece" were actually initiated in our school in 1993 and 1995 respectively.

Our school is also participating in the global environmental program
"Globe-Alexandros" since 1997 and it is part of a program for the
protection of the Mediterranean seal.

In 1998 was twinned with the Municipal School Pylas of Larnaka of Cyprus, with which a great collaboration is also being developed.

In 1980 with the expenses of our fellow George N. Griva, of the "Kousourelakion" foundation and of our far and wide fellow villagers,
the library of our school was built, equipped and since then
it is exemplary being operated.

Student's Union

  It was founded in 1989 and its purpose was to give children the chance
for creative activities, collaboration, self-administration, intellectual and spiritual development. Through its pioneering and ground-braking programme the youths, not only from Pyles, have the choice of a different quality of life.

During its course several activities take place. Some of them are :
Library equipped with 3500 volumes
Newspaper publications
Laboratories
Environmental activities
Dancing and theatrical acts
Foundation of parent's association
Oblations in literature with visits of various writers and
many other cultural events.

Associations

  In our community various associations exist and contribute significantly
in many social services.

The philanthropic and educational association "Apollon"
The local football association "Argonaytis"
The association of Mrs and Miss "The Progress"
The local committee of the "Kousourelakion" foundation.
The parent's association.
The agricultural association.