Kardámaina or Kardámena (Greek: Καρδάμαινα), is a small Greek town 7 km from Kos Island International Airport at Antimacheia, situated mid-way along the south coast of the island of Kos. It lies in the municipal unit of Irakleides, in the Dodecanese. Once a small fishing village, it has been a popular summer destination for the past two decades, offering pubs, restaurants, bars, night clubs and watersports facilities. According to the 2021 census, there were 2,132 inhabitants.[1] Its land area is 35.150 km2. Between June and September, the town population triples due to the influx of tourists.

Kardamaina
Καρδάμαινα
Main Square
Main Square
Kardamaina is located in Greece
Kardamaina
Kardamaina
Coordinates: 36°47′N 27°09′E / 36.783°N 27.150°E / 36.783; 27.150
CountryGreece
Administrative regionSouth Aegean
Regional unitKos
MunicipalityKos
Municipal unitIrakleides
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Community2,132
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)

History

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Kardamaina is built on the site of the ancient settlement of Alasarna. During the 2nd century BC, Alasarna was an important urban center with a thousand citizens (excluding slaves).

Archaeological excavations have brought to light some impressive ruins, such as a temple of Apollo, an extensive Early Christian settlement (one of the few known in Greece), and four basilicas that belong to the same period. Stone objects of everyday use (millstones, tools, vases, vessels), mostly made of volcanic and sedimentary rocks, have been recovered.

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.