A historic monument in Kos, the Defterdar Mosque, along with its Moorish-style marble ablution fountain—which suffered significant damage in the 2017 earthquake, leading to the suspension of commercial use on the ground floor—is being restored and brought back into prominence by the Ministry of Culture. The project is valued at €1,500,000 and forms part of a larger program of works on the island, with a total budget exceeding €10,000,000, funded by the Recovery Fund and the Ministry of Culture’s Public Investment Program.

Extensive Earthquake Damage

The Defterdar Mosque is located in the center of Kos town. Built between 1770 and 1780 on the ruins of Christian and Roman churches, it has been declared a protected historic monument and lies within a designated archaeological site. The ablution fountain was constructed in 1936 by the Italians following the finalization of the new city plan for Kos and the development of Eleftherias Square.

During the restoration works, after the removal of shop fittings on the ground floor, further unseen damage was discovered that had not been identified during the initial study.

Restoration Works Underway

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated: “The ongoing project includes the necessary interventions to stabilize and restore the mosque, both the ground-floor spaces previously used for shops and the upper floor with the prayer hall, the reconstruction and repositioning of the ablution fountain in the courtyard, and the rebuilding of the minaret. The works will be completed with the installation of monument-enhancing lighting, a fire protection system, and lightning protection. Our goal is to reintegrate this emblematic monument into the cultural landscape of Kos, while simultaneously enhancing the appearance of the island’s historic center.”

She added: “From 2017, when the island experienced the effects of a strong earthquake, until 2019, no preparation had been made for the restoration of damaged monuments. The total budget for works on Kos exceeds €10,000,000, funded by the Recovery Fund and the Ministry’s Public Investment Program. In 2020, we began preparing the studies, which have now been completed. The projects were tendered, contracts were signed, and restoration works began on all earthquake-damaged monuments, which are now gradually being completed and returned to the local community as we had promised. The restoration of the Gate of Phoros and the Castle of Nerantzia has already been completed.”