Neratzia Fortress (Neratzia Castle), built by the knights of St John in the 14th century, is picturesquely located on a narrow peninsula east of the port of Kos town. The moat that built once at the north side of the castle to provide additional protection was later transformed into a beautiful palm tree boulevard. The only access to the fortress is an old stone bridge over this palm boulevard leading from the castle to the Plane Square (Platia Platanou) with the Tree of Hippocrates and the Loggia Mosque.
Due to the location at the Gulf of Keramos, Neratzia Castle once served to defend not only the port but also ,together with St. Peter Fortress in Bodrum about 20 km to the northwest, to control the sea route between Constantinople and Alexandria. The name Neratzia reminds of the formerly numerous bitter orange trees in the vicinity of the castle Kos Town was well known for in earlier times.
Due to damages to the castle during an Earthquake in 2017 Neratzia Castle has been closed to visitors in July 2017 and remains closed until further notice.
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