Nerantzia Castle

Kos, Greece, Greece

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Nerantzia Castle, also known as the Castle of the Knights, is a large medieval fortress that stands at the entrance to the harbor of Kos Town.

Built by the Knights Hospitaller between 1436 and 1514, it was designed to protect the island from Ottoman attacks and to control important sea routes in the Aegean. The castle is a remarkable example of medieval military architecture, featuring two defensive enclosures, massive walls, towers, bastions, and a moat that once surrounded parts of the fortress.

Many stones and architectural elements from ancient Greek and Roman buildings, including the Asklepieion of Kos, were reused in its construction and can still be seen in the walls today. After the Ottoman conquest of Kos in 1522, the fortress continued to be used and was later modified by successive rulers. Its present appearance is largely the result of restoration work carried out during the Italian occupation of the Dodecanese.

Today, Nerantzia Castle is one of the most important landmarks on Kos, admired for its rich history, impressive fortifications, and scenic views over the harbor and the nearby Turkish coast.