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The Ottomans left their mark on Kos, ruling for nearly 400 years. While walking around the old town, there are a few scattered remnants of Ottoman occupation.
Defterdar Mosque
The most easily spotted Turkish structures come in the form of four mosques. The first, Defterdar Mosque (Defterdar Camii), is a red domed mosque with a tall minaret that sits on Eleftherias Square, the main square in Kos Town. It’s now used as a souvenir shop and café.
Gazi Hasan Pasha Mosque
The next mosque is the Gazi Hasan Pasha Mosque (Gazi Hasan Paşa Camii), also known as the Lotzias Mosque. It was built in 1786 next to the Tree of Hippocrates (see Kos Town). The mosque is rectangular shaped with two floors. It was in use until 1933 and is now closed and remains unused. Near the mosque is an old Ottoman hamam.
The ablutions fountain (şadırvan) of the mosque is next to the Tree of Hippocrates. It contains an inscription in Arabic script that reads “Water of Hippocrates”. On June 11, 1821, around 90 Greeks were hanged there by the Ottoman governor in retaliation for supporting the Greek uprising against the Ottoman Empire. Hundreds more were beheaded around the island.
Rifat Efendi Mosque
The third mosque is the Rifat Efendi Mosque (Rifat Efendi Camii), which is located in the old town and is a little tough to spot. It has an inscription with the Ottoman tuğra. If you look up, you might be able to see the small dome.
Atik Mosque
Finally, the Atik Mosque (Atik Camii) is a small mosque that was built in 1892 and is still in use. It’s located near the Western Excavation Area and is without a minaret.
