The only village of some size that lays inland is Ano Mera, which is situated at a distance of 8 kilometer from the capital. It is home to a monastery from the 16th century, the Panagia Tourliani Monastery. This monastery with its impressive bell tower and marble fountain was founded in 1542 by two monks from Paros island and restored in 1767. It houses a collection of very fine Byzantine icons. For a long time the monastery had a different name but after mysteriously an icon of the Holy Virgin Mary was found in Tourlos - something that happens very often in Greece - the monastery was renamed Panagia Tourliani (the holy Tourlos). Opening hours are daily from 09.00 to 13.00 o'clock and from 15.30 to 19.00 o'clock and you are required to dress appropriately. Ano Mera, seldom visited by the tourists is topped by two ruined windmills. It's one of the few remaining unspoiled parts of the island, but under a constant buzz of the nearby highway leading from Mykonos town to some of the eastern beaches like Kalafatis and Elia.
The life of the village is concentrated around the big square in front of the monastery (with marble tiles), where you will find the tavernas and souvenir shops. Here it becomes clear that also Ano Mera has been busy catering for the tourists, just like the whole island of Mykonos has. Besides the souvenir shops and the restaurants the village has a couple of mini markets, a bakery and there are a couple of accommodations. After Mykonos Town, Ano Mera is the largest village on the island of Mykonos. On the opposite hill lies the Monastery of Paleokastro which dates from the 12th century and you can see can see the remains of a Byzantine castle.
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