History and places to visit on Kos Island

Kos (Istanköy)

Kos, also known as Istanköy, is the island of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. Located in the Aegean Sea, it is 8 nautical miles from Bodrum.

According to the 2021 census, with a population of 37,089, it is the second most populous island of the Dodecanese after Rhodes. The island has an area of ​​290.3 km² and a coastline of 112 km. Kos is the capital and main port, 200 nautical miles from Piraeus.

Rich in historical monuments, the island offers remarkable archaeological and touristic features. Today, Kos is a modern tourist island offering many opportunities in terms of accommodation, dining, sports, excursions, and entertainment.

History

The island has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Initially colonized by the Carians, it later hosted the Dorians from Argolis in historical periods. 7th-6th centuries BC In the centuries that followed, Kos formed the Doric sub-city along with Kos, Knidos, Halicarnassus, Ialysses, Cameros, and Lindos. It was conquered by the Persians in 500 BC, liberated in 479 BC, and joined the Athenian League. It experienced significant growth in the 4th century BC, particularly after the founding of the new city of Kos (366 BC) on the northeastern coast, where the present-day capital is located. Hippocrates (460-357 BC), the father of medicine, was born in Kos, and after his death, a temple to Asclepius was built on the island.

The island was conquered by Alexander the Great in 366 BC. It declined during the Roman Empire but experienced a new golden age during the Byzantine period.

Kos was shaken by earthquakes in 142, 469, 554, and 1933.

Places to Visit

The ruins of the ancient city near the harbor, along with Hellenistic and Roman structures, are located in this area: This includes parts of the Ancient Agora (4th-3rd century BC), the Great Stoa (Forum Arch), and other smaller arched passageways where temples dedicated to Dionysus, Aphrodite, and Hercules were located. Within the city, there is the well-preserved Odeon (3rd century BC) with its 12 tribunes and vaulted passageways, and the Casa Romana, a restored Roman mansion with magnificent mosaics. Also located here are the Xysto (part of the Gymnasium) (2nd century BC), sixteen of its seventy columns restored, two buildings housing Hellenistic and Roman baths, and a section of the Roman road with marble, mosaic, and mosaic fragments.

Archaeological Museum: Located in Eleftherias Square, the museum houses a collection of prehistoric finds, Hellenistic sculptures and classical miniature statues of Aphrodite, Eros, Demeter, and Hippocrates, as well as inscriptions, mosaics, and architectural marble fragments from temples and buildings.

Knights' Castle: Built on the right side of the harbor, this castle is the most magnificent monument of Venetian rule. It is very well preserved and is a classic example of the impressive defense of its time. It has a double wall and a moat. Construction began in the 15th century but was completed in the 16th century.

Hippocrates' Sycamore Tree: A gigantic tree with a trunk circumference of 12 meters. It is believed to have been planted by Hippocrates approximately 2400 years ago, and that he taught medicine to his students under its shade. A bridge connects the location of the sycamore tree to the Knights' Castle.

Temple of Asclepius in Kos: The most famous site in Kos, its construction began in the 4th century BC. Located 4 km from the city, nestled among cypress trees, the temple was the largest medical center in Ancient Greece. Only the foundations and a few columns of the Temple of Asclepius remain; the columns of the portico, said to have housed Hippocrates' School of Medicine, also survive. Nearby were thermal springs with flowing waters in ancient times.

Restaurants and Beaches

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