June 2017
Kos, Greece
The Island of Kos for the proximity to the Turkish coast (Bodrum) has a big turkish influence and a mosque still in function.
There are lots of beaches, the most beautiful one is Aghios Stephanos which has an archeological area constitued in two byzantine churches of VII c.AD, one bigger than the other, and a baptistery, the complex has a monumental access. The complex was built on a rock, which makes the archeological area more beautiful, in fact all over you have sea. In front of the churches there is an island, Kastrì with a little church, that you can reach swimming. Other important archeological areas are: the site of "Western Thermae" which has a big complex of V-VI c. A.D consisted in two churches, thermae, a baptisyery & much more; the Anfitheather; the Roman House which has been rebuilt to give an idea of a roman house; the Church of San Gabriele dated at V-VI c. A.D, the Temple of Asklepio (Asklepieion), and the medieval castle, one in the center of Kos city, and the other named Palio Pilì outside in the top of the mountain, which has byzantine layers, very beautiful mostly for the view that you can have of the island. So as you can read this island had lots of history from the greek era to the medieval one, and it's very special for the lateantiquity - byzantine era because the amount of churches is incredible for a small territory like this. In the center of Kos, you can see the old minaret, and appreciate the little greek streets white and blue, with a big square which has the still used mosque and the market.
There are lots of beaches, the most beautiful one is Aghios Stephanos which has an archeological area constitued in two byzantine churches of VII c.AD, one bigger than the other, and a baptistery, the complex has a monumental access. The complex was built on a rock, which makes the archeological area more beautiful, in fact all over you have sea. In front of the churches there is an island, Kastrì with a little church, that you can reach swimming. Other important archeological areas are: the site of "Western Thermae" which has a big complex of V-VI c. A.D consisted in two churches, thermae, a baptisyery & much more; the Anfitheather; the Roman House which has been rebuilt to give an idea of a roman house; the Church of San Gabriele dated at V-VI c. A.D, the Temple of Asklepio (Asklepieion), and the medieval castle, one in the center of Kos city, and the other named Palio Pilì outside in the top of the mountain, which has byzantine layers, very beautiful mostly for the view that you can have of the island. So as you can read this island had lots of history from the greek era to the medieval one, and it's very special for the lateantiquity - byzantine era because the amount of churches is incredible for a small territory like this. In the center of Kos, you can see the old minaret, and appreciate the little greek streets white and blue, with a big square which has the still used mosque and the market.