The inhabitants are engaged in fishing, animal husbandry and agriculture, but in recent decades, due to the rapid development of tourism, Kos has developed into a modern resort with rooms for rent, hotels, restaurants, bars, night clubs and organized tours.
Kos has so much to offer its visitors to satisfy any expectation for an unforgettable holiday.
Every summer the Hippocrates are held with concerts, theatrical performances and painting and photography exhibitions, while the Hippocratic Oath is recited in ancient Greek at the Asklepiion.
A Fish Festival is organized in Kardamena, an Ouzo Festival in Kefalos, a Wine Festival and a Honey Festival in Mastichari in August.
Among other things, chess matches are organized at the Alassarnia Cultural Events in Asfendiou. Furthermore, in Kardamena the great festival of Panagia takes place on September 8 and in Paleo Pyli that of Agios Georgios in the spring.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
ARCHITECTURE
On Mount Dikaios are the settlements of Asoma, Evangelistria, Lagoudi, Zia (with few inhabitants), Agios Dimitrios - Haikhoutes and Palio Pyli (abandoned). Most of the inhabitants have moved to Zipari which is also the seat of the current Municipality and together with Pyli remain prosperous in terms of population and economy. Excellent tourist resorts combine traditional architecture and satisfactory tourist infrastructures in a natural environment that resembles that of central Greece: Paved roads, chestnut, oak and pine trees, working watermills (like the one in the mountainous Asfendi), churches with a heavy historical memory (such as the Incorporeal Saints ) is the legacy that testifies to austerity and economy.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
Paleo Pili:
It has been described as the "little Mystras of the Dodecanese". It is a natural fortress and steep hill in a great defensive position, from where a large part of the northern side of the island is controlled. A knight's castle is built on its top and there are four temples on the slopes, while ruins of houses and public buildings are preserved.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
Traditional architecture:
The traditional house made of stone and mud of bare earth had a southeast orientation. The doors and windows were framed with "mandemata", finely hewn stone of equal height and width. The roofs of the houses were made with wooden "meskies" (beams) and reeds. On top of the reeds, the inhabitants placed algae and "porcelain", i.e. game land, and above it "patelia" (slippery soil) as rudimentary insulation but also for waterproofing. On the roof there was a "fanochti", the chimney.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
Kefalos:
It was, according to tradition, the birthplace of Hippocrates and also the oldest capital of Kos. Bustling settlement with a labyrinthine streetscape and a special dialect, while some windmills are also preserved.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
FOLK CULTURE
The main festivals of Kos are:
The great festival of Panagia in Kardamena (8/9), of Agios Georgios in Pyli, of Zoodochos Pigi (16/4) and Ag. of Georgiou Mavrokambia (23/4) and of the Ascension of the Savior in Asfendiou, of Ag. Panteleimon (27/7) and of Ag. Nikolaou (6/12) in Pyl.
In Antimachia, the tradition of folk poets, lyricists is still preserved. musicians, instrumentalists, singers and dancers.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
CULTURAL EVENTS
Ippokrateia (July - September):
They are held every summer under the auspices of the Kos Spiritual Center and include concerts, theatrical performances and painting and photography exhibitions. They started in the summer of 1987 with the participation of Greek and foreign artists. In the exquisite natural and archaeological environment of Asklepiion, the Hippocratic Oath is recited in ancient Greek.
Dikaia (July, August):
Organized by the municipality of Dikaia and include concerts, theater performances, traditional dances, presentations of new editions, events for children and sports competitions.
Heraklion (July, August):
Events of a similar concept and content are organized by the municipality of Heraklion.
In the summer, festivals are organized that showcase local products: the Fish Festival (Kardamaina), the Ouzo Festival (Kefalos), the Wine Festival (Mastichari) and the Honey Festival (Antimachia, August).
In Pyli at the beginning of October, the "pig slaughters" are organized.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou