ASFENDIOU - KOS

THE HISTORY OF OUR VILLAGE

Kos, the historical island of HIPPOCRATES, is the most beautiful of the Aegean islands, as it offers natural beauties and magnificent historical monuments of ancient, Byzantine and earlier times.

One of the most beautiful villages of Kos is ASFENDIOU, built at the foot of Kos' highest mountain - DIKEO - ancient OROMEDONDA, sea level 350-400 m, between picturesque hills and rich springs inviting the interest of visitors, the latter visiting daily to admire the traditional houses, old churches, the sharply cut ravines, flowing waters, the rich vegetation and the panoramic view of the island's plain.

The village was built in the beginning of the 19th cent. AC when the Greek Revolution of 1821 commenced; the Turks, being suspicious of the enslaved Greeks, would keep them away from the forts where they usually lived, afraid of the pirate's invasions.
Thus, the people living in Palaeo Pili were also forced to leave the fort, and turned either towards the (Neo Pili) or towards the East.

The people turning EAST, settled near the church of KIMISSEOS TIS THEOTOKOU, built by Saint Christodoulos, 11th cent. A.C. which is ZIA today.
Thus, the ASFENDIOU village was formed, which probably was named after the land by someone named ASFENDIOU, resident of ASPENDOU of PAMFILIA. The village was extended towards, LAGOUDI, KARIVTES (EVANGELISTRIA), ASSOMATU & HAIHOUTES (or Ag. Dimitrius).
These were the first populated areas of ASFENDIOU.

The rich greenery, the euphoric land and willingness of residents to work contributed in developing this mountainous village, reaching in 1950, a population of 2.900, being 2nd in Dodecanese.
Sometime before 1960, the residents started to transfer towards the plain creating ZIPARIOU area, where the Community buildings were established, the church of Resurrection, high school and many modern buildings based on town planning.

Near Zipari, there are ruins of two ancient Christian Basilica of Saint Paul & Saint John (at KARAMA), showing the devout people experienced, during those times, and the flourishing of FIXIOTON municipality during the first Byzantine years.
The last decade, another inhabited area begun to develop, at the shore, 2km from ZIPARI, the area of TIGAKI.

This settlement, offers one of the best beaches of Kos ( awarded the "Blue Flag" of Europe for its clean seashores ), where in recent years, large hotels have been built, Restaurants and other services are provided to serve thousands of the island's visitors.
Near Tigaki, there is the salt mine producing pure salt.

The initial village has remained to date with few residents, living in few houses saved from the passing of times. There, one can see how people tried to serve their housing needs and how they respected the environment; ASFENDIOU has been declared already traditional settlement and efforts are made so that all renovations effected are following certain specifications in order to save the cast of features of this unique village.