Kos
Kos is the island that gave the world Hippocrates, the father of medicine.
The third largest of the Dodecanese, it is long and narrow in shape,
mostly flat with two low mountains, Dikaio and Simpatro, that run
along its southern coast.
Kos lies south of Kalimnos and was first inhabited in the Neolithic
era. In 700 BC, it joined together with Lindos, Kameiros, Ialyssos,
Knidos and Halikarnassos to found the Dorian Hexapolis. In the 4th
century BC, its Asklepieion became famous as the leading "hospital"
of antiquity.
Kos Town
The capital, Kos, is situated in a verdant district on the north-east
of the island, at the back of an open bay. Around the port you can
still see the ruins of the ancient city and the castle, built between
1450 and 1478 after the Knights of St. John took over the island.
Excavations in the ancient city brought to light building foundations
of the Classical era (e.g. the Agora) and of Hellenistic and Roman
times (the Gymnasium, Odeon, Roman baths, a Roman mansion with beautiful
mosaics). Also were found sections of wall from the Classical period,
the foundations of a temple of Aphrodite and another temple, probably
dedicated to Heracles.
The rest of the town is modern and well laid out, with contemporary
buildings, hotels and avenues lined with palm trees. In a lush area
4 kilometers west of town, you'll find the Asklepieion (Asklipiio)
or Sanctuary of Asklepios. Its buildings, owing to the slope of
the site, stand on four different terraces united by a marble staircase.
The view from the highest one is stunning.
The most important structure is the temple of Asklepios, a Doric
temple erected in the 2nd century B.C. Other buildings include the
Stoa (Colonnade), which housed Hippocrates' medical school and the
Bomos or Great Altar (3rd century B.C.), which was decorated with
sculptures attributed to the son of Praxiteles.
Sightseeing on the Island
During your visit to Kos, it would be well worth your while to
visit the pretty villages which are scattered round the island.
Among them are:
Asfendiou - 14 kilometers southwest of town, built on the slopes
of Mt. Dikaio overlooking the sea.
Pili - further south, with its ruined Byzantine castle and the Ypapanti
church within it.
Andimahia - perched on a plateau in the middle of the island.
Thermes, with its hot springs and spa and Kardamena, a seaside resort,
both on the east coast.
Tingaki (near the airport), Marmari, and Mastihari, Kos's second
Kefalos on the southwest coast with its splendid beach. The ruins
of the ancient town of Astypalaia can be seen at the district known
as Palatia nearby.
Beaches
You'll find wonderful beaches all over the island. You can reach
the closer ones by bicycle, a popular means of getting around on
Kos.
Getting there
By ferry from Piraeus
Information: Piraeus Port Authority, Tel:
01-422-6000
By air from Athens
Information: Olympic Airways, Athens, Tel:
01-966-6666
Useful telephone numbers
Area code - 0242
Olympic Airways - 28.231-2
Airport - 51.229
Harbormaster - 26.594-5
Police - 22.222
Municipality - 28.420, 28.724
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