Castle of Faneromeni or Pano Kastro or The Castle of the Old Lady was the biggest medieval town of Andros (with signs of Roman fortification). It was built by the Venetians to offer protection from the pirates. It is located North of Gialos (Korthi Bay) at approximately 600 meters of altitude. In the castle one can still find the remains of houses, aqueducts and barricades. The mountains in the area are steep and their tops look as if they are “cut” with rocks popping up here and there. The stones, rocks and walls justify the myth of the castle being impregnable and many other legends have intensified this belief. Most of the legends are about an old lady who betrayed or wanted to warn the people or tried to escape the castle and died. The beach that is below the castle took its name by this old woman (Old Lady’s Jump).
You can reach the Castle following the path that starts from the village. There is a spectacular view of the Aegean Sea. There were underground passages to serve the communication with the coast of Melissa. Near the main entrance of the Castle (200 meters left of the gate) there is a cave with stalactites. On August 15th every year, there are festivities around the Church of Faneromeni in the honor of Virgin Mary. The area is ideal for hiking and meditation. You can reach the place on foot from Kohilou Village.
