Kos Asklepieion

The Asklepieion in Kos, Dodecanese, is an ancient medical center built to honor the god of health and medicine, Hippocrates. Located 4 km southeast of Kos Town, it dates back to the first half of the 3rd century BC. This site was a place of worship, healing, and teaching medicine. The physicians were also priests, and a sanctuary was open to all who wanted to pray.
The structure of the Asklepieion includes three terraces. The first terrace features a portico believed to have housed a medical school and Roman baths from the 3rd century AD. The second terrace holds the ruins of an altar from the 4th century BC, where patients awaited Asklepios' apparition for healing. The third terrace showcases the Doric Temple of Asklepeion from the 2nd century BC and a church dedicated to Panagia Tarsou from the early Christian period. The site offers a serene atmosphere with picturesque views of Kos Town and its surroundings.

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Kos Ancient Gymnasium

The Ancient Gymnasium of Kos, Greece, known as Xisto, is a significant historical site that forms part of a complex from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. This complex includes various structures like the Acropoli, the Hippodrome, the Nymphaeum, the temples of Aphrodite and Hercules, and a grand arcade near the harbor in the eastern part of Kos town.
The term "Xisto" refers to the athletes' practice of covering themselves with oils before games and scraping it off afterward. The architectural style of the gymnasium is Doric, with restored columns and elaborate lion head decorations on the west side. Originally, a large roof made of white marble covered a significant portion of the gymnasium. In Roman times, a swimming pool was added, along with a water tank for athlete washing.
Additionally, the gymnasium featured a section called Xystos Dromos, a Carved Street, designed to prevent slipping during races by providing a surface suitable for the athletes' oiled bodies.

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Kos Ancient Agora

The Ancient Agora of Kos,is a significant archaeological site in Kos. This excavation area reveals a rich history with various temples, baths, houses, mosaics, columns, and other architectural remnants from different periods. The Ancient Market boasts impressive historical and architectural findings. For instance, it features a wall made of large stones that stretches 80 meters long and 2.5 meters high. This wall once served as part of the harbor's protection system and supported a colonnade with columns dating back to the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, some of which were restored during the Roman era. Moreover, the Ancient Market area includes remnants of a basilica from the early Christian period that covered the ancient columns.
Recent discoveries within the area include large buildings measuring 80 meters wide by 300 meters long, featuring an impressive stairway leading to an inner yard and restored columns hinting at a portico. Additionally, visitors can explore ruins of an Aphrodite Shrine, a small temple likely dedicated to Hercules, a Christian Basilica from the 5th century, mosaic floors dating back to the 3rd century BC, and a statue of Hippocrates. The oldest parts of this market date back to around the 3rd century BC. Situated in the eastern part of Kos near the castle, this site offers tourists a panoramic view and is conveniently located close to Kos nightlife along The Street of Bars

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Kos Nerantzia Castle

The Castle of the Knights in Kos, Dodecanese, also known as Nerantzia Castle, is a remarkable piece of architecture constructed by the Knights of Saint John. This castle, built with local stone and incorporating remnants of previous structures, showcases a blend of architectural styles due to its construction spanning over 130 years from 1380 to 1514. The castle features a stone bridge, now called Phoinikon, connecting the island area of Kos to the mainland, with a drawbridge over a large moat linking two precincts. The interior precinct, believed to be the oldest part, was constructed during the attacks of Sultan Bayazit, while the exterior precinct was completed by various Grand Masters, including D'Aubusson, D'Ambroise, and Del Carreto.  The castle's towers, circular in shape, display the blazons of Grand Masters De Milly and De Lastic, reflecting the castle's long construction period and the evolving architectural influences.
The castle's museum, situated between the precincts, houses old inscriptions, sculptures, and altars, offering visitors a glimpse into the history and artifacts of this impressive structure.

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Kos Hippocrates Plane Tree

The plane tree of Hippocrates in Kos, Greece, is a significant historical landmark associated with the father of medicine. Hippocrates is believed to have taught his students under this tree, which is now around 500 years old but may be a descendant of the original tree from 2400 years ago. The tree, located in the center of Kos town, has a circumference of twelve meters, making it one of the largest in Europe. Various institutions worldwide hold derivations of this tree, such as the National Library of Medicine in the United States and medical schools in Glasgow, Michigan, and Sydney. The Medical Association of Kos even presented a gavel made from the tree's wood to its president in 1954.
Additionally, local traditions involve rituals around the tree, like making wreaths symbolizing health and long life on September 5th.

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Kos Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Kos, located in the Dodecanese islands, is housed in a neoclassical building designed in 1935 during the Italian occupation of Kos. Situated in Eleftherias square, the museum showcases findings from excavations conducted around Kos, Rhodes, and other Dodecanese islands from the late 20th to early 21st century. The museum's collection spans from ancient to post-Roman and Hellenistic times, featuring impressive exhibits like beautiful mosaics, statues from the Asklepeion site, prehistoric pottery, metallic objects, coins, and more. Notably, the museum frequently organizes educational programs for students and groups to delve into the island's history.

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Casa Romana

Casa Romana in Kos, is a significant archaeological site that showcases the architectural style prevalent during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. This Roman house, dating back to the 2nd century AD, was constructed on the remains of a Hellenistic-era house. It features 36 rooms and three atriums adorned with exquisite mosaics and frescoes.The statues and decorations, some from the late Hellenistic period, are now exhibited at the Museum of Kos. The mosaics within Casa Romana, dating to the 3rd century AD, are particularly impressive, with detailed representations of marine life and mythological figures like dolphins and sea-nymphs. The internal layout of Casa Romana includes three atriums designed to provide light and air to the surrounding rooms. Each atrium features unique decorations such as fountains and intricate mosaic floors. The first atrium once housed a statue of Asklepius, while the second atrium is adorned with dolphin motifs and sea-nymph imagery. The largest atrium, the third one, boasts mosaic-covered floors and wall paintings. Casa Romana is conveniently located in Kos Town, to the west of Grigoriou Pemptou Street and near the Roman Odeon. This archaeological gem not only offers a glimpse into ancient Roman living but also showcases the rich history and artistry of the region.

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Kos Ancient Temple of Dionysus

The Ancient Temple of Dionysus in Kos, Dodecanese Greece, is a significant historical site that dates back to the 2nd century BC. This temple, made of white and grey marbles, is located south of the Kos harbor, near the Roman House. Dionysus, also known as Bacchus by the Romans, is the god of wine and vegetation, with origins related to the Thracians. In Greek mythology, Dionysus is depicted as the son of Zeus and the mortal Semele, symbolizing the intoxicating effects of wine and its social benefits. The god's purpose was to free people from inhibitions and unleash their instincts through wine, representing a dual nature of liberation and consequences.

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