Kos Island - a picturesque Greek island in the Aegean Sea, belongs to the Dodecanese (Southern Sporades). A fascinating ancient history and rich cultural and historical heritage of the island each year attract a huge number of travelers from all over the world. One of the main attractions of Kos Castle Knights considered ioannitov, located next to the harbor in the capital of the island of the same name.

The Knights of the Order of St. John settled on the island in the 14th century, and in order to protect themselves from unwanted invasion of the Turkish conquerors, began the construction of a defensive fortress. Grand fortification was built on the ruins of the ancient city. During construction knights used local materials, including stone and marble, preserved from ancient buildings. By the 16th century realities demanded the construction of additional fortifications, and in 1514 was completed the construction of the external defensive walls. Between the inner castle and new fortifications there was a deep ditch filled with water, through which ran a massive stone bridge. Moat long been drained and overgrown with trees and bushes, but the stone bridge is perfectly preserved to this day, and through it you can get on the territory of the ancient castle.

Unfortunately, the once magnificent buildings leaving only the majestic ruins, which, however, give a fairly colorful picture of the past power of the Knights of St. John. Partially preserved massive crenellated walls, watch towers, battlements and internal fragments of buildings. At the gate of the fortress, and today we can see the coat of arms of the Grand Master Pierre de Aubusson.

Today the island of Kos - one of the most popular and visited tourist islands of Greece. The ruins of the medieval Castle of the Knights ioannitov is not only one of the most visited attractions of the island, but also an important archaeological and historical sites.