The town of Kos has a dual and incongruous look which is what makes it extremely interesting. On the one hand, there are the extensive archaeological sites of the ancient port, the agora, the medieval capital of the island, the Nerantzia Castle and the western quarters. A true paradise for ancient history buffs and historians that makes up 11% of the town area. On the other hand, there is the modern town with its urban peculiarities. This town, together with Lakki of the island of Leros, is unique in the Dodecanese as they have been designed by Italian urban planners and architects that were influenced by early Modernism, rationalism and eclecticism.
The major earthquake of 1933 and the damages it caused were a turning point in the formulation of more recent urban planning. It gave the opportunity to the Italian administrators of Kos to impose their own building planning on the island that had nothing to do with the traditional Aegean architecture. This is the reason why many places of the town will remind you more of a spa town of the western Mediterranean than of one of the eastern. You can take the buildings of the town hall, the former Command Post, the houses of the interwar period on Vasileos Pavlou Street and the Hippocrates Hospital as examples. Take a stroll along the waterfront with its green spaces, urban mansions and very wide roads that have rows of palm trees on both sides.
Crossing the bridge of the Finikon Avenue, you can reach the Plane tree of Hippocrates. You can also feel the oriental vibe of the town gazing upon the Lotzia mosque. Then you can visit the Defterdar mosque at the Eleftherias Square, walk around the municipal market, which is the trade center of the town, or you can even pay a visit to Halavouzia, the former Turkish quarter of the town. Finally, you can relax having a cup of coffee at one of the cafés of Akti Kountourioti Street, asking yourself which of the places you’ve been to was the one you liked the most.
