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General info |
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Kos is the island that gave the world Hippocrates, the father of medicine. The third largest of the Dodecanesse islands, it is long and narrow in shape, mostly flat with two medium size mountains, Dikaio (875 m) and Simpatro, that run along its southern coast.
The capital, Kos is situated in a verdant district on the northeast 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. |
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The town |
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Excavations in the ancient city brought into light building foundations of the Classical era (e.g. the Agora) and of the 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 Aphhrodite and another temple, probably dedicated to Hercules.
The rest of the town is modern and laid out, with contemporary buildings, hotels and avenues lined with palm trees. In a lush area 4 kilometers west of the town, you will find the Asklepieion (Asklipiio) or Sanctuary of Asklepios. Its building, 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 peripheral temple erected in the 2nd century BC. Other buildings include the stoa (Colonade), which housed Hippocrates medical school and the Bomos of Great Altar (3rd century BC) which was decorated with sculptures attributed to the son of Praxiteles.
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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, Marmari and Mastihari, Kos second harbor, on the north coast, and finally Kefalos on the southwest with its splendid beach. The ruins of the ancient town of Astypalaia can be seen in the district known as Palatia. |
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