The village-fort
The settlement of Kato Petali is located opposite Pano Petali, lower and eastern of Apollonia at one and a half kilometers from it. The spatial structure of the settlement reminds that of a fort. This is how it was described by the French traveler Ph. Jourdain during the Greek Revolution (fort-hameau=the village-fort).
Kato Petali, its square being the dividing line, is separated into four neighborhoods:
- The Northern towards Ai Sostis, a church found at the entrance of the village.
- The Pano, at the top of the fill, where we find the parish church of Zoodochos Pigi and the Musical School.
The Kato, to the south, which is found lower due to the altitude difference. The once parish church of Agios Antonios can be found here, bearing western architectural influences, as well as an ancient small church of Panagia of Koukia (Mirtidiotissas) dating back to 1614.
The Pera, opposite the central settlement, to the east. The historical monastery of Agios Ioannis Chrisostomos was built here in 1650, an important monument of Education and Orthodoxy, as it housed the first Greek school in Sifnos.
It is worth taking the paved path that connects the settlement to Apollonia. It is a short but relaxing walk through rubble walls and nature. Nearby and inside the village, we find several rented rooms, taverns and a big super-market.
