One of the most interesting sights of the island is the Roman house or Casa Romana.
In 1933, the great earthquake destroyed Kos almost completely. The Italians, who then held the island, found the opportunity to redesign the town and carry out extensive excavations as they knew that under the buildings there were ancient monuments. The Italian archaeologist Laurenzi undertook the excavation and then the Italian Administration proceeded with the full restoration of the house, which was completed in 1940.
It is a Roman villa (Pompeii style) dating back to the end the 2nd and early 3rd century AD. It is built on the ruins of a Hellenistic house and it consists of 36 rooms and 3 outdoor areas. The exterior of the building does not predispose the visitor for the extraordinary sight that is hidden inside.
In the first main room you can see a small tank and a well-preserved mosaic with the representation of a panther devouring a deer. In the main room of the house there are traces of marble revetment and mosaics with geometric motifs and representations of animals such as the tiger, the panther etc. The auxiliary rooms are located on the northwest side, near the staircase leading to the first floor. On each patio you will see small or large tanks and mosaics with various representations, for example dolphins or the Nereids. In the building you can also see statues of the Nymphs and Athena and a mosaic with a representation of the bottom of the sea, proving that the house was habitable towards the end of the Hellenistic era.
Tickets
- Full fare: €3
- Reduced fare: €2
