Kos has an important historic route to show.
According to Greek mythology Titans used to live in Kos. In fact one of the names given to the island is Kinis from the Titan Kinnos.
Kos was also named Meropis from the king Meropa.
It is said that the mythic Hercules during a conflict with Meropes (as the residents of the island were named), killed their king, married his wife and had a son, Iraklidis, from who derive the dynasties that governed the island later. Descendants of Iraklidis are considered Asklipios and Ippokratis.

ARCHAIC TIMES
According to archaeological findings Kos is inhabited since Neolithic times. One of the first important stations in the island’s history is the inhabitance by Dorians. Back then Kos flourished financially and evolved to a trade center of the time. In the 6^th century Kos becomes part of the Doric Exapolis. An alliance between powerful Doric towns consisted by: Lindos, Iallisos, Kamiros, Kos, Knidos and Alikarnassos.
During the peloponnisian war the residents of Kos make an alliance with Athenians.
In 413BC Kos is ruined by a tremendous earthquake. The new town is built in the place where the current capital is located.
In 333BC Alexander the Great conquers the island.

ROMAN DOMINANCE
During the time of Roman dominance in Mediterranean Sea, Kos is in the side of Romans. In 82BC Kos becomes part of the East eparchy in the Roman State. Romans give residents of Kos some privileges and allow them to keep their financial prosperity.

BYZANTINE TIMES
Kos is one of the first greek islands to adopt Christianity. It is said that Apostle Paul visited Kos and taught under the platania of Ippokratis.
In 324 Kos becomes eparchy of the Byzantine Empire. But the Byzantine army is not enough to protect the island and residents from the invasions and plunders of Saracens, Arabs and Venetians. At this time the island meets a lot of catastrophes.

VENETIAN DOMINANCE
In 1204 Kos is conquered by Venetians. Later on Mikhail Paleologos set it free but the Knights of Agios Ioannis’ Tagma conquered it once again. They remained in the island for about 200 years.

OTTOMAN DOMINANCE
In 1522 Kos is conquered by Turkish. Residents fought against them for their freedom with no results. For 4 centuries Ottomans possessed Kos.

LATER TIMES
During the Greek Revolution the island suffered a lot. Plunders and slaughters of innocent people were part of every day life.
After liberation, as all Dodecanese islands, Kos too was not part of the new Greek nation but remained under Ottoman dominance, as the convention of London designated.
In 1912 Kos is under Italian possession. Italians although they came as liberators turned out to be tyrants. The 1934 earthquake caused many catastrophes in the town. Almost 80% of the residences were ruined. Italian architects were called to reconstruct the town. Buildings constructed then still decorate the town giving it a special feature.
On March 1948 after the convention of Paris, Kos and all Dodecanese islands integrate into Greece.
Today Kos is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Exploiting its natural beauties and important monuments, has turned to an international tourist resort. Every year it attracts thousands of visitors that prefer it for the exotic beauty and option it offers.