Kos Defterdar Mosque

Location: Town

The Defterdar Mosque in Eleftherias Square was built towards the end of the 18th century, probably in 1786, and is a prime example of Islamic architecture. It is one of the two out of five mosques to be still operational today, serving the Muslim community of Kos.

It has been named after an Ottoman minister of finance (defterdar) of Sultan Ibrahim Efendi, and according to a local tradition, it was erected on the site of a pre-existing Christian church dedicated to Saint Paraskevi. It is a two-story cubical building with an octagonal dome supported by 12 arches, while two elaborate staircases topped by pillars lead to the first floor, where the prayer room is located. The wooden women’s area can be found on the northern side of the hall, with the mihrab and the minbar being situated on the southern side.

The ground floor is divided into several smaller areas, each of which has its own exit to the street. Originally, these partitions must have served as ancillary rooms, while, since the early 20th century, they have been housing shops.

On the western side of the mosque rises the towering minaret, while, a little further, visitors can see a marble domed fountain supported by arches and low columns.

Over the years, the mosque has been damaged by earthquakes on several occasions, but extensive restoration works were carried out by the Italians between 1912 and the 1930s, when the Dodecanese was under Italian occupation.

Today, it is open to the public once a week, shortly before prayers start at 13:00, and visitors can walk up to the minaret and admire the magnificent views of Kos Town.