Historie ostrova Kos

Prehistoric settlement (Neolithic period)

The history of the Greek island of Kos dates back to more than 5,000 years ago, when the island was settled by the first inhabitants. The prehistoric period of Kos includes the Early Stone Age (Neolithic, approximately 6th-3rd millennium BC) and the Bronze Age (around 3rd millennium BC).

Archaeological findings in the cave of Aspri Petra (near the present-day town of Kefalos) show that these people lived by farming and fishing. Various flint tools and ceramics have been found, demonstrating their cultural and technological sophistication.

This period was characterised by life in small communities and simple forms of subsistence. Due to its strategic location in the Aegean Sea, Kos served as a link between Anatolia, the Cyclades and Crete, which led to the development of the first trade relations.

Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations (2nd millennium BC)

During the 2nd millennium BC, Kos came under the influence of the powerful Minoan civilisation of Crete. This influence was particularly evident in architecture and trade. Known for their advanced knowledge of seafaring, the Minoans helped to expand contacts between Kos and other Aegean islands.

After the fall of the Minoan Empire around 1450 BC, the island was taken over by the Mycenaeans, whose presence is attested by important archaeological finds. The period of Mycenaean dominance is characterised by the development of palace cultures and considerable military activity, which also influenced life on Kos. Due to its favourable location between mainland Greece and Asia Minor, Kos became an important commercial and cultural centre.

In the 11th century BC the island was settled by the Dorians, who established settlements on Kos and brought a strong Greek influence to the local culture. They founded the capital of Kos.

Kos in Greek mythology

The island of Kos also has an important place in Greek mythology, especially thanks to its connection with the hero Heracles. According to legend, Heracles was driven to the island by a storm during his famous expedition. He arrived on the island wounded and weakened, and was also captured by the locals, who did not recognise him. According to the myths, this act was the work of Hera, who wanted to punish the hero. However, Heracles escaped, defeated his enemies and eventually took control of the entire island.

After this victory, the island of Kos became one of Heracles' conquering symbols, and in ancient Greece it was believed that it was he who brought his superhuman powers and protection to Kos. His presence was venerated in many temples and shrines on the island. Some of these monuments can even be linked to Heracles' deeds.

Antiquity - the classical period and Hippocrates (5th century BC)

The ancient period of Kos includes mainly the Classical and Hellenistic periods, i.e. from approximately the 5th to the 1st century BC, and the subsequent Roman period, which lasted until the 4th century AD.

Kos reached the height of its importance during the Classical period, when it became an important cultural and educational centre. The most famous figure associated with this period is the physician Hippocrates, who was born on Kos around 460 BC. Hippocrates is considered to be the father of modern medicine and his oath, still in use in the medical profession today, originated on this island.

There was a medical school and treatment centre on Kos known as the Asklepion, which attracted patients from all over the ancient world. Asklepion was not only a place of healing, but also of philosophical and scientific research. Hippocrates' method of healing, based on observation of nature and the human body, was revolutionary and influenced medicine for centuries. Kos became synonymous with medical care and its fame spread throughout the ancient world.

Hellenistic period and Roman rule (4th century BC - 4th century AD)

After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, Kos became part of the Hellenistic Empire. This period was a time of prosperity and prosperity for the island. Kos retained its importance not only as a commercial centre, but also as a centre of learning and culture. The city of Kos was rebuilt according to strict urban plans and boasted wide streets, temples and public buildings.

The Agora served as the main commercial and public centre of the ancient city. The Agora was founded between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC and originally served primarily as a marketplace. Due to its strategic location near the island's main port, it soon became an important centre for trade and exchange of goods of all kinds. The famous Asclepieion, a healing temple dedicated to the god of medicine, Asclepius, was also significantly expanded at this time.

In 82 BC. Kos came under Roman rule, which brought further economic and cultural development. The Romans were known for their admiration of Greek culture, and Kos continued to prosper as an educational centre. At the same time, the island became a favourite destination for the Roman aristocracy, who came here not only to relax but also to study. An excellent insight into the life of the upper classes of Roman society on Kos is offered by the Villa Casa Romana, now a beautifully restored Roman residence with beautiful mosaics, frescoes, etc.

The Roman Odeon, a small but well-preserved theatre that was used for musical and theatrical performances and thus formed an important part of the cultural life of the island during the Roman era, also dates from the Roman rule on Kos.

Byzantine period (4th-13th century)

A new stage in the cultural and religious development of the island of Kos was brought about first by the collapse of the Roman Empire in 395 AD and the incorporation of Kos into the East Roman Empire, and then by the collapse of the West Roman Empire in 476 AD, when Kos became part of the new power of the Byzantine Empire. This historical phase, which lasted almost a thousand years, can therefore be called the Byzantine period of Kos.

The island of Kos, like the rest of the Byzantine Empire, adopted Christianity as the state religion. Among the important monuments of this period are especially the Byzantine churches and mosaics that have been found all over the island, which attest to the Christian faith and art of the time. One of the oldest Christian buildings on the island is the Basilica of Agios Stefanos (St. Stephen), built between the 5th and 6th centuries.

Despite its Christian heyday, Kos has also had to face a number of threats. In the Middle Ages, it was often the target of pirate raids and Arab attacks, which affected its stability and security, and new fortresses were built and towns fortified. For example, the inland town of Paleo Pili was fortified and served as a refuge for the inhabitants during raids.

Despite these security threats, Kos remained an important part of the Byzantine Empire until the arrival of a new power, the Knights of St. John.

The Johanite and Ottoman periods (14th-19th centuries)

At the beginning of the 14th century, the island of Kos came under the control of the Knights of St. John. The so-called Johanites, known for their military prowess, turned Kos into one of their defensive bases in the eastern Mediterranean. Their rule was dominated by the fortification of the island and their efforts to defend Christian territories from the ever-growing Ottoman Empire.

Near the port, in the capital of Kos, the Johannites built the imposing fortress of Neratzia, whose main purpose was to defend the island against Ottoman raids and attacks by other enemies. They also strengthened the city walls around the capital. As a so-called supplementary fortress to Neratzia Castle, Antimachia Castle (near the present-day village of Antimachia), with its massive walls and views of the surrounding countryside, was built in the interior of the island.

However, when the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman conquered the island of Rhodes in 1522, the Johanites were forced to leave the Aegean islands. The Ottomans took control of Kos and ruled the island for almost four centuries, until 1912. Ottoman rule brought relative stability but also a decline in the cultural and economic development of the island, although Kos continued to benefit from its strategic location on the trade routes between West and East and its proximity to Asia Minor.

Mosques and public baths (hammam) were built in the Ottoman era, but Kos lost its former importance and remained a predominantly agricultural and military centre until the end of the 19th century. Among the most important buildings of the Turkish period are the Defterdar Mosque and the Gazi Hassan Pasha Mosque.

Modern History (20th and 21st Century)

After the wars between Italy and the Ottoman Empire, Kos, along with the other islands of the Dodecanese, came under Italian control in 1912. Since the 20th century we speak of the modern history of Kos.

Italian rule (1912-1943) brought modernisation and significant investment in infrastructure to the island. The Italians introduced new administrative and educational structures, built modern hospitals and schools and restored some of the archaeological sites, including the famous Asklepion. Architecture from this period is still evident on Kos today, with many buildings designed in the Italian Fascist style to demonstrate Italy's power and cultural influence.

Despite this investment and development, the local population still perceived Italian rule as a foreign occupation and sought unification with Greece, which Italy categorically rejected. This pressure for identity and autonomy created tensions in the local population, which gradually increased.

With the Second World War (on Kos, the period 1943-1945), the island underwent dramatic changes. In 1943, after the surrender of Italy, German troops occupied Kos. The German occupation was characterised by harsh repression against the local population and the Jewish community, who were deported to concentration camps.

The island remained under German control until the end of the war, when it was liberated by British forces in 1945. The following years were a period of uncertainty for Kos, as the local population found itself under British administration and awaiting a decision on its future. In 1947, as a result of the Paris Peace Conference, Kos, along with the other Dodecanese islands, was officially annexed to Greece. This change was long awaited by the local population and the island became a full part of the Greek Republic.

The annexation of Kos to Greece marked the beginning of a new era in which the island could once again concentrate on its own development. The Greek government began to rebuild the infrastructure and support the local economy, which contributed to a gradual rise in living standards. However, the period after the war was still challenging for the island, especially due to reconstruction and integration into the Greek state after decades of foreign rule.

Since the second half of the 20th century, Kos has become one of the main tourist destinations in Greece. Thanks to its strategic location in the Aegean Sea, its rich history and its beautiful beaches, it began to attract visitors from all over the world. Tourism has become the main driver of the island's economy, which today benefits from a combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

In recent decades, the island has undergone major development, including modern hotels, airports and other tourist infrastructure. At the same time, it has had to deal with new challenges such as the economic crisis in Greece, the strong migration wave in 2015 and the aftermath of the 2017 earthquake. But despite these challenges and the boom in tourism, the Greek island of Kos has tried to stay true to its historical roots by taking care of the monuments and cultural heritage that recall the island's rich history.