Eleftherías Square (Freedom Square) is the center of the city of Kos. Today's square was created after the earthquake of April 23, 1933, during which a large part of the city center was destroyed. Accordingly some of the buildings have been built during the time of the Italian occupation with influence of Italian colonial style such as the Market Hall and the Archaeological Museum of Kos.
From Eleftherías Square, most of the city's sights are within easy walking distance. The harbor is only a short walk to the north away, at the east of the square Bar Street, the center of nightlife in Kos Town begins. Also in the east the Archaeological Site of Ancient Agora, Neratzia Castle and Platia Platanou with sights as the Tree of Hippocrates and Loggia Mosque are situated. The old town area begins right west of Eleftherías Square. Casa Romana, the Altar of Dionysus, the Roman Odeon and the Western Archaeological Zone can be reached after a short walk to the south.
In addition to sights like the Market Hall and the Archaeological Museum, Defterdar Mosque is located right on the square. Built in 1725 by treasurer (Ottoman Turkish: defterdar) Ibrahim Efendi this small mosque creates a nice contrast to the Italian buildings with her minaret and its Şadırvan well. The mosque consists of an entrance hall, a large main room on the upper floor and arcades on the ground floor, where small shops are housed. In addition, a pleasant café has been set up here, where you can sit down for a good cup of coffee in the shade of the trees. During the Earthquake in 2017, the minaret collapsed, the pillars of the Well shifted, the mosque itself was also affected. The Well was then removed from the square and stored in a car park near the Casa Romana, the shops and the café are closed until further notice. It is planned to rebuild both, the minaret and the Şadırvan.
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