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Kos island in
Greece
Kos is the third
largest island of the Dodecanese
archipelago, after Rhodes and Karpathos.
It is lying between the islands of
Nisyros and Kalymnos, close to the coasts of
Asia Minor. A perfect area for holidays.
It is the greenest and most fertile island
of the group and the second most touristy
and popular island after cosmopolitan
Rhodes.
At first sight, Kos may
be a bit disappointing with, its many bars
and huge hotel complexes lining the coast.
However, after a while, visitors will find
that it is a very beautiful and attractive
island with quiet nooks, appealing
mountainous
villages, an excellent
touristy infrastructure, verdant landscape,
abundant ground water and superb beaches of
various sizes and colours.
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Kos related sites
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Ancient historyAccording to Greek mythology, Kos is the sacred land
of Asclepius, the god of healing.
Archaeological finds prove that this island has been inhabited since prehistoric
times.
The Minoans settled on the island around the 14th century BC, followed by the
Achaeans and, a few centuries later, the Dorians came and built the ancient city
of Kos. The Persians conquered the island of Kos during the 5th century BC, but
were defeated by the Athenians who took control of the island during the battle
of Salamina.
460 BC is the year during which Hippocrates, the father of Medicine and founder
of the first School of Medicine, was born.
After his death in 357, the inhabitants of Kos built the Asklepeion in his
honour and in honour of the god Asklepios.
It was used as a hospital, welcoming patients from all over the Mediterranean,
with doctors who applied the therapeutic methods of Hippocrates.
During the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), Kos was an ally of Athens. That is
why the island had to pay a high tribute when the Spartians invaded it in 411
BC. In 394 BC, Kos became again an ally with Athens and democracy was introduced
on Kos.This period was characterized by a cultural, educational and economical
growth.
In 335 BC, the island of Kos became a part of the Macedonian Empire. After
the death of Alexander the Great, his successors the Ptolemies took control of
the island and of the rest of the Dodecanese. Medieval
The Byzantine period brought prosperity and wealth on Kos, unfortunately
threatened by the constant pirate raids of which the most dangerous were the
attacks of the Saracens.
Kos became a part of the Eastern colony of the Roman Empire after 82 BC.
In 1204 AD, the Venetians occupied the island. The Knights of Saint John,
who established on Rhodes, also took the control of Kos in 1315 AD. A
century later, they built the superb fortress that stands today at the entrance
of the harbour of Kos as well as other fortifications.
In 1522, the Turks took the island and held it until 1912, when the Italian
troupes invaded Kos and expelled them.
The disastrous earthquake of 1934 almost destroyed the whole island.
The Germans replaced the Italians in 1943. The German occupation was a
very dark period for the inhabitants of Kos who endured great suffering and
deprivations. The nightmare ended in 1945 when Kos came under British
rule.
Finally, on the 7th of March 1948, Kos got united to the newly built Greek
State.source:
www.greeka.com
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Kos today |
 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.
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,
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
kilometres 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 peripteral
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.
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 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 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 on Kos. |
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If you like me to assist you with your
holiday choice in Kos,
please
send me an e-mail with
your questions and enquiries. I will
be glad to reply and assist you, wherever I
possibly can. |
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