Palm tree avenue
About Kos
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, Kos is the greenest and most fertile island of the group and the second more touristy and popular island after cosmopolitan Rhodes. Kos is the island that gave the world Hippocrates, the father of medicine. It is long and narrow in shape, mostly flat with two low mountains, Dikaio (875 m.) and Simpatro, that run along its southern coast.
Kos has so many interesting places to discover that the visitor's needs are almost entirely covered - appealing mountainous villages, excellent touristy infrastructure, verdant landscape, abundant ground water and superb beaches of various sizes and colours.
ancient "Asclepion"
The island of Kos is truly a place to explore. There are beautiful beaches all over Kos - some of them accessible by bicycle a means of transport much used on Kos.
The town and capital of Kos is situated to the NE of the island. It is not large but its wide paved avenues, the profusion of greenery, the long alleys of palm-trees, the well designed town create a strong impression. With many archaeological sites in and around the town, Kos is the ideal place for walking or cycling. There is agreat variety of modern tourist shops, bars, coffee shops and restaurants. The harbour is undeniably picturesque with many excursion boats, yachts, cutters and traditional fishing boats. For those who want to stay close to town, there are well-appointed public beaches within walking distance to the east and west of Kos, offering many facilities and a great selection of water sports.
The island boasts with villages well known for their beauty e.g. ASFENDIOU (14 kms from the city), KARDAMENA (by the sea) and PYLI a village resting on the slopes of Mount Dikeos and looking over a green valley. From Pyli the road leads to Palio Pyli, with remnants of an old castle, and
to the fishing villages of Marmari and MASTICHARI. At the southwestern tip of Kos lies KEFALOS, a village endowed with wonderful sandy beaches and little tavernas. Kefalos is built on a hilltop, with white-washed houses, clean roads and splendid beaches. The ruins of the ancient city Astypalia, which was founded in 412 BC and was the ancient capital of the island, can be found in the area known as "Palatia".
The ancient fortified
town
of kos
Another beautiful spot is the small village of ZIA, on the green slopes of Mount Dikeos, with running water and a magnificent view of Kos and of other nearby islands. To the south of Zia lies Tigaki, one of the most beautiful and popular beaches on the island.
The village of Antimachia is situated in the centre of the island, only one kilometre from the airport. Kardamena, 25 kms from Kos, is a popular sseaside resort, especially in the summer.
Kos in history
Kos was inhabited in prehistoric times. Around the 14th century BC, arrived in the islands the Minoans from Crete. A few centuries later, the Dorians started to arrive. Around 700 BC they built the ancient city of Kos, which together with Lindus, Cameirus, Ialysos on Rhodes, Cnidus and Halicarnassus in Asia Minor formed the so-called Dorian Hexapolis. In the 5th century BC, Kos was taken by the Persians, but after their defeat in mainland Athenian League (479 BC). In 460 BC,
kos port
Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, whose name is known throughout the world, since he was the founder of the first school of medicine, was born in Kos. After his death (357 BC), the people of Kos built the famous Asklepeion, in honour of the god Asklepios, which operated as a hospital, admitting thousands of patients from all over the Mediterranean and applying the methods of therapy taught by Hippocrates. According to mythology, Kos is the sacred land of Asclepius, god of healing. Archaeological finds prove that this island was inhabited since prehistoric times. The Minoan 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 (in the battle of Salamina) who took control of the island.
460 BC is the year during which Hippocrates, the father of Medicine (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. This served as a hospital, welcoming patients from all over the Mediterranean, with doctors applying the therapeutic methods of Hippocrates.
During the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), Kos was ally with Athens.
That is why the island had to pay a high tribute when Spartians invaded it in 411 BC.
In 394 BC, Kos became again 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 part of the Macedonian Empire.
After the death of Alexander the Great, the Ptolemies (its successors) took control of the island and of the rest of the Dodecanese.
The Byzantine period brought prosperity and wealth to Kos, unfortunately threatened by constant pirate raids of which the most dangerous was the attacks of the Saracens.
Kos became part of the Eastern colony of the Roman Empire after 82 BC.
In 1204 AD, the Venetians occupied the island of Kos.
The Knights of Saint John, who were 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 destroyed almost all the island.
The Germans replaced Italians in 1943. German occupation was a very dark period for the inhabitants of Kos who endured great suffering and deprivations.
Nightmare ended in 1945 and Kos came under British rule.
Finally, on the 7th of March 1948, Kos was united to the newly built Greek State.
Kos sites
entrance to the port of kos
Some of the most important sites of Kos worth visiting are the following:
- The "Neratzia Castle"
- "Kamara tou Forou"
- The archaeological museum
- The Castle of the Knights
- Hippocrates Plane tree
- The Asckepeion of Kos