Roman Odeon of Kos

One of the most important public buildings in the ancient city of Kos is the restored Roman Odeon. It is located south of the western archaeological site, west of the also restored Casa Romana, and northwest of the ancient theatre. The Odeon was constructed between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD and was intended as a venue for musical games. It also served as a house of the Senate, the public body of Kos, which, according to inscriptions, did not have any political power, but was responsible for awarding honours to esteemed citizens of the island. The Odeon was excavated in 1929 by Italian archaeologist L. Laurenzi, with new restoration works taking place there between 1994 and 1999 by the KB Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and the Directorate for the Restoration of Ancient Monuments. Further works have been carried out in recent years to bring out the surrounding space of the site, which is also home to a photographic exhibition.