Archaeological Museum of Kos, Archaeological museum in Kos, Greece
The Archaeological Museum of Kos is an archaeological museum housed in a two-story building on Eleftherias Square in Kos, Greece. It displays sculptures, mosaics, and artifacts from the island's ancient to late Roman periods, with a ground-floor collection and a central courtyard.
The museum was founded in 1936 during the Italian occupation, after the 1933 earthquake destroyed much of Kos and opened the way for large-scale excavations. The building, possibly designed by Rodolfo Petracco, was declared a protected monument in 1986 and underwent renovations from 2012 to 2016.
The museum's courtyard holds the sculpted decoration from the Roman House of the Abduction of Europa, giving a sense of how wealthy homes were adorned. The collection also includes a statue thought to depict Hippocrates, a figure deeply tied to the island's identity.
The museum is on Eleftherias Square, a short walk from the port, and has a ramp and elevator for visitors with reduced mobility. It is closed on Tuesdays, so plan your visit for another day of the week.
The building sits on a section of the ancient city's Hellenistic wall, which is visible in the basement. The basement and first floor are not open to the public and serve as storage for archaeological finds.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,466 contributors worldwide.
