About
The Castle of the Knights stands on Kos, the Dodecanese island in Greece, where it has guarded the town's harbour for centuries. Local visitors may know it as Neratzia Castle, and in older records it appears as the Castello dei Cavalieri, a name that reflects the order that raised it.
What you will find
The fortress dates from the 15th century and was built by the Knights of Rhodes to protect the harbour of Kos. Its massive walls and towers give a clear sense of the defensive purpose behind the building, and walking around them shows how the structure was laid out to watch the approaches to the town.
From the upper parts of the castle, the views reach out over the Aegean Sea, which is one of the main reasons people make the climb. The sea and the harbour below make an easy subject for photographs at almost any time of day.
Planning your visit
- Location: Pl. Platanou, Kos 853 00, Greece, in the town of Kos.
- Who it suits: visitors interested in medieval fortifications, sea views and the history of the island.
- Contact: +30 22420 27927, if you want to check arrangements before you go.
Because the castle sits by the harbour, it fits naturally into a stroll through the town. Allow time to walk the walls, look out to sea, and then explore the streets and waterfront around it before moving on.