Neratzia Castle

Why go

The Knights Hospitaller built the castle at the entrance to Kos harbour between 1436 and 1514, using stone from the ancient city and the Asklepieion. You can still see it in the walls: a Hellenistic frieze sits above the central gate. An arched stone bridge joins the castle to the square of Hippocrates' plane tree, over what was once a moat.

In 1816 a gunpowder explosion destroyed a large part of it; the Italian archaeological service later restored it. Parts of the castle have been closed for restoration, so check the official page before you go. The walls, the bridge and the palm-lined promenade of Phoinikon Street below them can be seen at any time.