Alonnisos, has a population of less than 2,000 in its 64 square kilometres. The ferries call at the unassuming Patitiri, a village hastily built in 1965 when an earthquake forced the locals to abandon the old village. The old village, known as Chora, is built high up on the summit of a hill and is still far from the bustling tourist world. Some of the old traditional houses still survive and have been renovated by their new owners, usually foreigners, while others have been left to the merciless wear and tear of time. Apart from Patitiri, the port of call, other settlements on the island are mainly tourist installations, such as Votsi, Marpounta and Steni Vala with beautiful beaches and tourist facilities. Another famous beach is Kokkinokastro. The island of Alonnisos provides shelter for one of the rarest of Mediterranean's mammals: the monk seal (monachus monachus). Classified as an endangered species, it has found an ideal refuge in the Alonnisos Marine Park. Thanks to this government initiative and the sensitive awareness of the local fishermen, the monk seal can continue to live in the same waters that have known it for thousands of years. Alonissos is surrounded by a host of tiny islands with delightful beaches. The nearest of these is Peristera, were only a couple of families live. To the southeast lies Skantzoura, the ancient Skandyle or Skandeira. To the northeast is the island of Kyra Panayia with its monastery; Youra, with its indigenous wild goats, very similar to the Cretan ibex; Piperi, the centre of the protected area of the marine park; Psathoura, where remains of the ancient city may be discerned submerged beneath the sea, a consequence of the splitting of the island into Psathoura and Psatharopoula in the 1965 earthquake. Most of the small islands are part of the marine park and a permit may be required to visit them Alonnisos is served by the same ferry and hydrofoil services from Volos, Aghios Konstantinos and Kymi as Skiathos. There is also a one-day cruise available from Skiathos that visits Skopelos and Alonnisos.