Kos Island
Depart for Kos early morning and arrive in Kos Harbor, which is overlooked by the old town and the Crusader Castle of the Knights of St. John. Palm-lined cobblestone streets, lush greenery, and many ancient monuments and excavations are within walking distance in every direction, not to mention the charming old town labyrinth of shopping streets, cafes and restaurants.
History buffs will be thrilled with the number of ancient sites to explore on the island, most of which are concentrated in the town center but still remain quiet spots shaded by soaring ancient trees. Kos has a municipality train that takes you to the sites that are further out. Ancient sites on Kos to Explore include:
Asklepion
Kos Island was home to Hippocrates, who is now dubbed as the ‘Father of Modern Medicine’. The Asklepion was built in the 3rd Century BCE after Hippocrates’ death. Dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing, the Asklepion was an ancient medical clinic that is largely in ruins today.
Ancient Agora
The Ancient Agora is a good example of typical marketplaces in Ancient Greece. However, it wasn’t only used as a marketplace; there are also remains of Roman baths here, the temples of Aphrodite and Hercules, and examples of houses with some mosaics and frescoes still intact.
Plateia Planou
The shady cobbled square of Plateia Planou is home to the remains of the Hippocrates Plane Tree, the site at which Hippocrates is said to have taught his students.
Casa Romana
The Casa Romana is a Roman mansion with 36 rooms that was built in a style popular throughout the Roman Empire in the 2nd Century BCE. It was built on top of the ruins of an older house from the Ancient Greek Hellenistic Period. The mansion is also the site of several impressive frescoes including one that depicts a panther attacking a bear.
Roman Odeon
The Ancient Romans built this structure, which was acoustically designed to accommodate singers, musicians, and poets. The Romans used this particular Odeon however for gladiator fights. The original Roman Odeon has been restored, making it a great venue for modern performances. Note that the first 9 rows or so are part of the original structure.