Image © Rhodes Guide / RhodesGuide.com

Koskinou, Rhodes

House doors painted in vivid colors, made of wood or iron, with carved or etched designs. Little gardens with their cobbled floors hidden behind the courtyard doors. Koskinou in Rhodes is famous for its unique mosaic of colours.

When the local people talk about the village of Koskinou, the first thing they always mention is the unbelievable palette of colours on the village house doors: painted in vivid colours (red, turquoise, blue and yellow) made of wood or iron with carved or etched designs, surrounded by fine stone porches with arches across the door-posts - the doors are without doubt the most striking sight the village has to offer. However, you will not see any of these doors on your first arrival in the village.

 

Koskinou © Rhodes Guide / RhodesGuide.com
Koskinou © Rhodes Guide / RhodesGuide.com

 

In fact, at first sight you won't find Koskinou particularly impressive. What you have to do is leave your car in the parking area in the village square and make your way down some of the narrow streets of the preserved part of the village. Here is where you will encounter the unique mosaic of colors for which Koskinou is famous.

The little gardens with their cobbled floors hidden behind the colorfoul courtyard doors vie with one another in charm and beauty. Continue your walk, admiring the doors and trying to decide which is your favorite, until you arrive at the 'Traditional House' - decorated with ceramic plates and woven fabrics.

As you move on into the newer part of the village and its outskirts, you'll see that the buildings are more modern; this is where wealthy people from the town of Rhodes have been having homes built in recent years, attracted by the village's short distance from town.

 

Koskinou © Rhodes Guide / RhodesGuide.com
Koskinou © Rhodes Guide / RhodesGuide.com

 

The nearest beach to Koskinou is Reni, some 2.5Km from the village, full of hotels and rented rooms. We have left for last, the sweetest surprise that Koskinou has to offer the visitor: here you can sample the traditional sweet known as 'melekouni', a semi-solid patty made of honey and sesame seeds. This is a delicacy the recipe of which is known to the women of this village who always prepare «melekounia» on the eve of major festivals. The preparation is in fact a ritual, as habile hands are set to kneading to the sound of centuries-old traditional songs.

Around the village of Koskinou there are quite a few interesting attractions. The small, domed church of St. Irini (more than 200 years old) and St. Lukas a tiny, early 4th century Christian Basilica temple are worth a visit. So is the church of the Virgin Mary, the biggest temple in Koskinou village. Don't miss the small Knights’ castle located on the outskirts of the village. The views from here are extremely impressive. What is more, many ancient graves, some set into boulders, can be seen scattered around the village.

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Koskinou reviews & comments

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We stay in Koskinou every September in a traditional stone house, besides Yianni's there are several great places to eat. Fokatha is a modern looking place with not much atmosphere, but the best keftethes we have ever had, (except my mother-in-laws) all the locals eat there and that's always a good sign. Also George's right on the square makes great Greek meals, one night looking for a sweet he made my husband and I loukamades, they were to die for. It is a great little village and our neighbors are wonderful old ladies who make me feel like I belong there. The old part of the village is slowly giving way to newer homes and it will be a shame if someone in the local government doesn't get it to stop.

Commented by Donna Soulakis June 24, 2005

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