Kos Ancient Alasarna

Location: Kardamena

Located 30 kilometers southwest of Kos Town, the modern settlement of Kardamena was established in the area of the ancient Alasarna. Once an urban center that housed thousands of citizens, today the Alasarna Archaeological Site can be seen on the outskirts of Kardamena. The site was first identified as the ancient town of Alasarna by Bavarian archaeologist Ludwig Ross, with excavations conducted on the site since 1985.

The name Alasarna is thought to be of Eastern origin. The area was inhabited from the Neolithic times until the 7th century AD, finally abandoned due to pirate raids by the Arabs. The continuous excavations have brought to light some truly remarkable archaeological finds. Undoubtedly the most important is the foundation of the Temple of Apollo, thought to be the oldest temple in Kos. This religious center held great significance throughout ancient times, maintaining its established religious status up until the Roman period. The platform and three stairs of the temple are still visible to this day, while the remains of two Doric columns also stand tall.

To the east of the Temple lies a pit where sacrifices to ancient deities were made. Other interesting finds include the parts of three monumental buildings from the Hellenistic period, a stoa (public walkway), and numerous inscriptions. Equally intriguing are the findings that date back to the early Christian Era, attesting to the area’s long-lasting religious importance. Those include a cemetery, a few houses, and four early Christian basilicas, as well as various small objects and pieces of pottery.