Greek Islands

Second in size island of the Dodecanese and homeland of Hippocrates, Kos with its intense vegetation and colourful landscape, has a lot to give to its visitors.

Kos lies very close to the Asia Minor and 201 nautical miles from Piraeus. It has an area of 290 sq. km., a coastline of 112 km. and a population of 20,000. Kos can be reached by air from Athens and Rhodes or by ferry from Piraeus, Rafina, the Cyclades, the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean, Kavala, Crete, Rhodes and the other islands of the Dodecanese.

Kos was first inhabited at almost 3000 BC. Its history is a mosaic of many cultures that pass from its land during the centuries.

Capital and main harbour of the island, the city of Kos, is located at the area of the Ancient City, which was founded at 366 BC. The Castle of Nerantzia or Castle of the Knights dominates over the city. It was built in the 16th century by the Knights of Rhodes, for the fear of Ottomans, while the buildings and the rampants in it are a bit older. The Bridge of the Castle connects it with the city as well as with the Plate-tree under which Hippocrates, the father of Medicine, is said that used to teach. Next to the plate-tree is a tap built in 1972 by the Turkish governor Gazi Hasan. Its water is poured in an ancient tomb.

The earthquake of 1933 caused a lot of destruction to the city, but was also the reason for the discovery of many anquities that the Italian conquerors attended to restore. The Kamara of Ancient Agora, the Temple of Hercules, the ruins of Pandimos Aphrodite's Temple, the Roman Conservatoire, the Ancient Stadium and the Altar of Dionysus are some of the island's archaeological treasures.

Next to the Ancient Agora (Market) is the street of the nightlife, called "the street with the bars".

Not far from the capital of Kos is Asklipieio, perhaps the most important and for sure the most famous sight of the island. The place of Hippocrates' Medical School. There was heard for very first time the Oath of Hippocrates, an Oath that is still heard at Asklipieio every year, in the Ancient Greek language.

At the south part of central Kos, 30 km from the capital is Kardamena. Well known for its ceramic, Kardamena is now the most well developed resort of the island. In excavations were found the remnants of the ancient town Alasarna. Among the monuments are the Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Theatre and old churches.

To the north is Antimahia, a village that holds its name for more than three millenniums. In Antimahia locals follow the tradition of popular poetry and popular music. Its Castle was build by the Knights of Rhodes. It was bombarded a lot of times and it was also used as a prison. In its interior are two small churches, while in its internal gate one can see the blazon of Pierre d' Abusson.

Even more to the north is the coastal village Mastihari. At the ruins of an old church are distinguished beautiful mosaics. To the west is Kamari, were we can see other Temples of the 5th century with Ionian columns and mosaics. Not far away is Kefalos and its devastated Castle, where according to the legend resides the daughter of Hippocrates, transformed to a dragon waiting for the kiss of a Knight that will give her the human look again. There are also Papavasilis windmill, Palaces, Astypalaia (birthplace of Hippocrates and old capital of the island), the cavern Aspri Petra (White Stone) and the Monastery of Ayios Ioannis.

Asklipieio of Kos is one of the most important archaelogical monuments of Greece. There was born modern medical science by Hippocrates. Asklipieio was a place of leisure and treatment. The doctors were at the same time priests of God Asklipios. Their symbol was (and still is) the Snake, due to that animal's capability to locate therapeutic plants.

Plate-tree of Hippocrates, at the town of Kos. It is said that it was planted by Hippocrates, thousands of years ago. However, the truth is that today's tree is almost 58o years old and that probably it is an offshoot of the ancient plate-tree.

Price £329.00 GBP

The Castle of the Knights. During Medieval time, Kos was under the possession of the Knights of Rhodes, who also built the Castle of Nerantzia. At its entry is found "Great Magician's Thyreos". In its interior are buildings of 15th century's second half, made with marble and stone, many of which were emanated from Asklipieio.

The Archaeological Museum of Kos, at the capital, where are exhibited discoveries of Hellenistic and Romean eras. Among the exhibits are the statue of Hippocrates and mosaics with the figure of Asklipios, Orpheus and Hercules.

The ruins of Romean Era, at the town of Kos. Among them you can see Casa Romana, a building of Pompeian Rhythm with 26 rooms, galleries with Ionian and Corinthian Rhythms and mosaics presenting animals.

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