Kos town reminds a big archeological park. This old city, which is located on the crossroads of the bustling trade-roads, has been destroyed in the 1933 during the powerful earthquake. This earthquake uncovered the ancient ruins and Italian, who governed then the island, decided not to repair the center of the city.
Of course medieval monuments such as the Castle of Nerantzia and mosque of Hassan Pasha were carefully restored. Italians reshaped the city. They planned the new central area, port, open areas, market and administrative buildings with full respect to the ancient ruins. Especially to the Roman since they wanted to pick out their presence in that region.
One of the main monuments of the Kos Town is a Castle of Neratzia which has been built by the Knights of Rhodes between of the 14 and 15 centuries. If you arrive to the city from the sea, it will be the first great monument which you see. Castle dominates the port of the Kos town and has been built to protect it.
But castle never been used as intended. When knights wedged the war with Ottoman Empire they decided to leave the Kos and concentrate their main effort to protect the Rhodos. It’s worth mentioning that Castle of Neratzia stands on the city of ancient fortifications of the Kos town.
In front of the entrance to the Castle (not from the sea) located another famous Kos attraction – the huge tree under which according to the legends practiced the Hippocrates. It’s not true because the tree is only few hundred years old but this fact does not prevent tourists from visiting this place.
Nearby you can find Mosque of Hasan Pasha which has been built in 1786.
And just in few meters from it there is a big archeological park with ruins of the temple dedicated to the Aphrodite and city’s agora. Also you can find there the remnants of the ancient defensive walls and early Christian church. At the mead of the day it can be very hop place so better time to visit this park is a morning.
After the park you can visit the main square of the Kos town - Plateia Elefthereias which took its guise after the Italian renovation in the beginning of the 20 century. On this square you can find the Archaeological Meseums of the Kos as well as the city’s food market.
If you go further in the south direction you will find another great archaeological park with the ruins of the temple dedicated to the Dionysos. And a little further, across the road, there is so called Casa Romana – very well restored Roman house.
These the list of most famous ancient ruins in the Kos town. Across the town, you will probably face with many unknown scattered ruins.
If you visit Kos town for a few days you will be charmed by walking on the nigh city. All ruins are littering and you have chance to make a great photos. All cafes and restaurants are working until the last client so you can easy find the place where you can rest.
