- Total cultural works on Kos exceed €10 million, financed by the Recovery Fund and Public Investment Program.
- Projects include restoration of the Defterdar Mosque, the Purification Fountain, the Gate of Foro, and the Castle of Nerantzia.
- Latest phase: €1.5 million for consolidation, repairs, lighting, and protection systems at the mosque and fountain.
Defterdar Mosque and the Purification Fountain (€1.5 Million)
At the heart of Kos Town, in Eleftherias Square, stands the Defterdar Mosque, built between 1770 and 1780 over the remains of Christian and Roman temples. Alongside it, the Purification Fountain—an Italian-era marble construction dating from 1936—shares the same central space. Both suffered extensive damage during the 2017 earthquake, which forced the closure of the ground-floor shops and revealed hidden structural weaknesses.
A €1.5 million project, managed by the Directorate for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments, is now in its final stretch. Works include structural reinforcement, conservation of the prayer hall, restoration of the shops at ground level, reassembly of the fountain in the courtyard, and reconstruction of the minaret. The program also covers lighting for nighttime visibility and modern safety systems for fire and lightning protection.
Other Restoration Works (Over €8.5 Million)
The mosque and fountain are part of a much larger program. According to Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, the total budget for Kos surpasses €10 million. “When the earthquake struck in 2017, no preparation was made until 2019. Since 2020, we completed the necessary studies, tendered the projects, signed contracts, and now, one by one, the monuments are being returned to the community,” she stated.
Already completed are the restoration of the Gate of Foro and the Castle of Nerantzia, two landmarks also damaged in the quake. Other projects continue across the island, intending to safeguard the cultural identity of Kos and integrate its monuments back into everyday civic and cultural life.
A Cultural Landmark Reintroduced
Bringing back the Defterdar Mosque and its fountain? That’s not just some fancy construction gig—it’s really about reviving a symbol. This place has been the heartbeat of the square since way back in the 1700s. Now, with all the layers of dust and time getting peeled away, the town’s center gets a serious glow-up. The vibe changes. Suddenly, history feels alive again, right smack in the middle of everything.
“The goal is to restore to the cultural map of Kos an emblematic monument while simultaneously upgrading the character of the city’s historic core,” Mendoni noted.
