Sightseeing on Kos Island:
Ancient Sites, medieval Castles & Churches, Ottoman & Italian Architecture

Built on the ruins of a Byzantine castle between 1337 and 1346 by the Knights of St John, this impressive fortress has a commanding view of the southern coast of Kos. As impressive as the outer walls are, very little has survived of the interior except cisterns and two churches – a 16th century Byzantine church and the other built in the early 18th. Several Ottoman attacks were repelled largely as a result of the building of this castle, including a 23-day siege in 1457. The settlement was abandoned in 1840. Although freely accessible to visitors there is very little maintenance of the site, and no information about its construction and history.

Housed in one of the many buildings built during the Italian occupation of the island, the archaeological museum exhibits artefacts from the sites around Kos. Many from excavations carried out in the 20th century. Many of the fine sculptures exhibited come from the many buildings from the Hellenistic and Roman period of Kos Town. Of note is an exceptionally preserved mosaic depicting the arrival of Asclepius on the island, and a statue of Hippocrates that was recovered from the nearby Roman Odeon.

The Asclepieion is not only the most important archaeological site on Kos, it is also one of the most famous Asclepieion of antiquity. It was here that Hippocrates, widely considered to be the father of modern medicine established his school and taught medicine. The vast site was built over three terraces in the 4th century BC to worship the god Asclepius. A Christian altar suggests the temple was in use as a church until Byzantine times. One can easily spend a few hours wondering around the site. Information panels explain the various features.

Excavated in 1932 Italian archaeologist Luciano Laurenzi, the ruins on the edge of the beach at Kampos are in fact two basilicas built side by side. Both are three aisled, but share a baptistery. Dedicated to St Stephen, these early Christian churches were in use between 496 and 554 AD. The columns we see standing today are the result of reconstructions carried out while the site was being excavated. Freely accessible on the beach, from the ruins there is a photogenic view of Kastri, a rocky islet with a blue and white chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors.

Sadly, this Ottoman era mosque was most recently severely destroyed in the earthquake that struck the island in 2017. The minaret, clearly seen in this photograph is no longer standing. The mosque was built in 1780 in one of the most central locations in Kos Town on Eleftherias Square. The cubic form mosque has two stories and the octagonal dome is supported by 12 arches. It was named after the Sultan’s Minister of Finance, Defterdar İbrahim Paşa Camii. These days it is covered awaiting restoration.

Following the conquest of the island by the Knights Hospitaller of St John in 1315 this was one of the fortified positions they developed. The castle was built on the foundations of an earlier castle built around 1271. Along with other castles in Kos, around 12,000 people found refuge here when the Turks invaded the island in 1457. In 1493 a strong earthquake damaged the fortifications and soon after it was all but abandoned. There are great views from the castle, including of the volcanic island of Nisyros.

Nerantzia Castle is the most important 15th century fortification built by the Knights of Saint John on the island of Kos. It stands at the port entrance, on land that used to be a small island. Along with the Castle of Bodrum, it served to control the sea passage to the Holy Land at the time of the Crusades. Architectural elements from many ancient structures, including the Asclepieion of Kos, were used as building materials for the castle. During the Ottoman period, the castle was used as barracks, and a prison for Greek resistance fighters during the German occupation of the island.

The Saint John the Baptist Holy Orthodox Chapel of Thyme is renowned for its serene setting and breath-taking views of the Aegean Sea. Many visitors come to watch the sunset, as it is said this is one of the island’s most spectacular viewpoints from which to watch the setting sun. Although no longer a functioning monastery, religious festivals continue to take place. The chapel still has its beautiful collection of icons, and the walls are covered with exquisite, intricate frescoes. A café serves drinks and local dishes. Getting to the monastery is not easy, as the road is not tarred to the end, but most agree it is well worth it – and can be done with any car or motorcycle.