Arrival of the Johanites on the island of Kos (1314)

The Order of Saint John was originally founded as a hospital order in Jerusalem during the Crusades in the 11th century. After the fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent loss of Acre, the Knights of the Order of St John, also known as the Johannites or later the Knights of Malta, moved to Cyprus in 1291 and later, in 1309, succeeded in conquering the island of Rhodes, which became their headquarters. In 1314, they gained control of the island of Kos and incorporated it into their state formation, which included several islands in the Aegean Sea.

Strategic importance and defensive buildings on the island of Kos

The island of Kos was of strategic importance to the Johanites due to its location near Asia Minor and important shipping routes in the Aegean Sea. The knights of the Order of St. John focused on strengthening the island's defences and built several impressive fortresses and castles.

The most important of these is Neratzia Castle, located in the capital of Kos. This castle, built on the site of an older Byzantine fortress, was intended to protect the harbour and provide shelter for the population in the event of an attack. Another important fortification was the castle of Antimachia, located in the interior of the island. Its main purpose was to control access routes and provide a strategic defensive position. The Johanites also fortified several villages around the island, which acted as a refuge for the local population in case of attack.

During the Knights period on Kos, the Johannites used various innovative techniques and weapons to defend their territory, one of which was the so-called "Greek fire". This incendiary mixture, which could burn even on water, was highly effective in protecting ports and ships from enemy attacks, especially in defending against Ottoman naval attacks. There are records that the knights in the castle of Neratzia had special devices and tubes with which they threw this fire at enemy ships, causing panic and destruction.

Life on the island under Johannite rule

Under the rule of the Johanites, life on the island of Kos changed. The Knights tried to maintain peace and order, promoting the development of agriculture, trade and crafts. Kos became an important centre of trade and shipping between East and West, which contributed to the economic growth of the island. The Johannites also introduced Christian institutions and encouraged the building of churches and monasteries, thus strengthening the religious and cultural life of the island.

The dominant religion at this time was Roman Catholic Christianity, practised mainly by the Knights, but the local population of Kos was predominantly Greek Orthodox Christian. The Johanites attempted to spread the Catholic faith among the population, but in most cases respected and tolerated local Orthodox traditions and religious practices. This led to a certain coexistence between the Catholic and Orthodox communities on the island, although Catholic churches and monasteries enjoyed a privileged position under the Johannites. The Johannites therefore generally practiced religious tolerance, which allowed for the coexistence of different faiths.

There was also a cultural exchange between the local population and the knights who came from different parts of Europe. This exchange enriched the cultural heritage of the island and left its mark on local customs, architecture and art.

By promoting and developing agriculture, the Johanites reached a state where the island was almost self-sufficient in food production. Food stores and water cisterns were also built in case of a long siege.

End of the Knights' Rule (1522)

The chivalric period on Kos ended in 1522, when the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent conquered the island of Rhodes, the main seat of the Johannites. After the fall of Rhodes, most of the Aegean islands, including Kos, were gradually occupied by the Ottoman Empire.

The siege of Kos began as early as June 1522, when a formidable Ottoman fleet of some 400 ships and 100,000 men approached the shores of Kos, overwhelmingly outnumbering the several hundred knights and several thousand local defenders of the island. The main target of the attack was the fortress of Neratzia in the capital of Kos. The siege of this mighty fortress lasted several months, during which the defenders showed extraordinary bravery and determination. However, the situation changed dramatically in December 1522 when Rhodes, the main Johannite bastion in the region, fell. After the fall of Rhodes, the position of the defenders of Kos became hopeless, and the Johannites capitulated on the island shortly afterwards, probably in late 1522/early 1523.

The Johanites were forced to leave the Aegean islands and retreated to Malta, where they established a new settlement and became known as the Knights of Malta. The island of Kos became part of the vast Ottoman Empire and remained under its rule until 1912.

Sights

Despite the fact that the rule of the Johanites on Kos lasted just over two centuries, their legacy is still evident on the island. The walls, fortresses and other structures built by the knights continue to attract visitors and recall the time when Kos played a key role in defending the Christian world from the expansion of the Ottoman Empire.

Neratzia Castle (Castello di Kos): Neratzia Castle was built by the Johanites in the late 14th century and served as the main defensive fortress against raids by the Ottomans and other enemies. The building is a striking example of medieval military architecture and today is one of the most visited monuments on the island.

Antimachia Castle: This castle is located in the interior of the island, near the village of the same name. It was built as a supplementary fortress to the castle of Neratzia and was intended to protect the island from attacks from the interior. The fortress is famous for its massive walls and its view of the surrounding countryside.

Cathedral of St. John: Located inside the castle of Neratzia, it is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Johannites. The cathedral served as the main church of the Knights of Kos and is an example of medieval Christian architecture.

Remains of the city walls: the Knights of the Order of Saint John also reinforced the city walls around the capital of Kos. These walls, built to protect against enemy attacks, included several towers and gates, some of which remain today.

Lazaretto (Lazaretto Tower): The Lazaretto is a historic building that served as a quarantine station during the Middle Ages. It is located near the castle of Neratzia and was used to isolate sick travellers and inhabitants during epidemics. This building reflects the medical care that the Knights of the Order of Saint John provided as part of their mission.