Government House - Palazzo Del Governo

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Government House - Palazzo Del Governo

The island of Kos was taken over by the Italians in 1912. They came up with a master plan to expand the city beyond its walls but the plan was never implemented due to the devastating earthquake of 1933 which destroyed most of the city's traditional buildings. After that a new urban plan was created. Based on this plan, the Italians contributed some attractive Art Deco buildings. Among them is the Governor House, a majestic, three-storey building that dominates the area. The building is one of the most important and characteristic in the city center of Kos. It was designed by the Italians and built between 1927-1929, based on the designs of the Italian architect Fiorestano di Fausto, who also designed the Government House of Rhodes.

Its main entrance is on the Akti Miaouli Avenue. In addition to the magnificent pebbles on the steps, there is a very beautiful marble sculpture of an archaic sphinx, work and donation of Antonios N. Hatzimichael to the District of Kos. In 1942 the inelegant original conical dome was replaced by the polygonal tower and clock. On the wall located on the side of Platanos Square, there is the inscribed Latin phrase "Legum omnes servi sumus" which means "We are all servants of the law". To the right and left of the phrase there are coats of arms with a cross.

During the Italian occupation (1929-1943) the building was served as the seat of the Italian administration, police and courts, while during the Italian-German occupation (1943-1945), it housed the Nazi military services. From 1945-1947 it was the seat of the English Administration and since 31-3-1947, it houses the courts and the Police Station of Kos.