Kos’ 3rd century Roman villa, Casa Romana, was originally restored by Italian archaeologists in 1933, but was closed for conservation in 2002 until 2010. The result has been worth the wait; the floor mosaics around the three interior courtyards, with images of a tiger, sea creatures and other assorted animals, are now more much vivid and attractive than they were.
Faint red crosses outside were the Italians’ marking of the building as a wartime hospital, to deter Allied bombers. And it’s quite possible you’ll have the place to yourself – the Casa Romana is one of Kos’ most unheralded attractions, not featured in most major guidebooks.
