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Kos
Kos-photo page 2
| Kos accommodations
Kos is the
island that gave the world Hippocrates, the father of medicine.
The third largest of the Dodecanese, it is long and narrow of shape,
mostly flat with two low mountains, Dikaio (875 m.) and Simpatro,
that run along its southern coast. It lies south of Kalymnos and
was first inhabited in the Neolithic era. In 700 B.C., it joined
together with Lindos, Kameiros, Lalyssos, Knidos and Halikarnassos
to found the Dorian Hexapolis. In the 4th century B.C. , its asklepioion
became famous as the leading "hospital" of antiquity. 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), sections of wall from the classical period, the foundations
of a temple of Aphrodite and another temple, pobably 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 kilometres west of town, you'll find the
Asklepieion (Asklipiio) or Sanctuary of Asklepios. Its
builidings , owing to th 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 peripteral temple erected
in the 2nd century B.C. Other buildings include the Stoa
(Collonade) , 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.
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 kilometres 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 teh 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 Masthari
Kos' second harbour, on the north coast; and finally 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. You"ll
find wonderful beaches all over
the island. You can reach the closer ones by bicycle, a
popular means of getting around Kos.
Click on the pictures to enlarge:
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Asklepion - Kos.
Photo: W. van Zadelhoff.
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Sea turtle |
source:
Greek National Tourist Organisation
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