Neratzia

Welcome to Neratzia Castle, the formidable fortress that has stood guard over Kos harbor for over half a millennium. Its name, 'Neratzia,' comes from the bitter orange trees that were once planted in abundance around its walls. …

Our journey begins at the iconic stone bridge that connects the island's mainland to the castle. In medieval times, this bridge spanned a narrow strip of sea, making the fortress an island-within-an-island for maximum defense. …

Walking along the outer wall, ordered by Grandmaster d'Aubusson after the 1493 earthquake, you can appreciate the sheer thickness of the fortifications. This wall was designed to withstand the increasingly powerful gunpowder…

Moving into the inner enclosure, we reach the oldest part of the castle, dating back to the late 14th century. This was the heart of the military garrison, where the knights lived, prayed, and planned their defenses. …

In the centuries following the Knights' surrender to Suleiman the Magnificent in 1523, Neratzia became a base for the Turkish garrison. You can see the architectural shifts that occurred during this long period of Ottoman rule. …

We now climb to the northeast bastion, which offers the most spectacular view of Kos harbor and the Plane Tree of Hippocrates just across the road. From here, you can see how the castle's guns would have completely dominated the…

As you leave Neratzia Castle, take a moment to look back at the walls from the harbor. This fortress is a unique testament to the continuity and destruction of history; it is a medieval monument built from the bones of an ancient…