Kos is a beautiful Greek island, which is located in the southeastern
part of the Aegean Sea, in the Dodecanese islands. It is the third
island in sequence in regards to area following Rhodes and Karpathos.
HISTORY
Kos island has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Originally
colonized by the Kares, it was when the Dorians came in the 11th
century B.C. the Persians invaded, but they were expelled by the joint
efforts of the Athenian Federation 21 years later. The island saw great
development in the 4th century B.C., especially after the
building of their beautiful new city in 366 B.C., where the modern city
is now situated. After a brief occupation by a Persian General, Kos
again prospered under the auspices of Alexander the Great. Unfortunately,
during the period of the Roman Empire, its libraries and other treasures
were looted. But it saw new heights with the coming of the Byzantine
Empire. Later conquered by the Venetians, Kos was sold to the Knights of
Saint John in 1306. They ruled it for 200 years, until their abandonment
of it to the Turks. The Turkish occupation lasted for almost four
hundred years, until 1912, when the Italians took over. Germany, too,
came to occupy Kos until the end of Word War II when the British arrived
as guardians. Kos was reunited with Greece on March 7 1948. In addition
to these manmade disasters, Kos also faced some natural ones.
Catastrophic earthquakes occurred here in 142, 469, 554 and 1933
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KOS THE ISLAND OF HIPPOCRATES “FATHER OF
MEDICINE”
Kos is known throughout the world as the birthplace of Hippocrates.
He is known as the father of medicine (460 B.C.), because until he
rescued it from the priests and charlatans, it was not a science but
practice of magic and sorcery. He introduced and systematically
classified new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and
described conditions, which are today named for modern scientists. The
Hippocratic Oath established his as the greatest medical Mind of the
time, and the Oath is considered the most significant of his writings.
Even today, doctors throughout the world take this sacred vow which
binds them to art of healing.
One of the most remarkable archaeological sites of the island is the Asklepion,
possibly the best and certainly the most renowned hospital of its time.
Its famous spa, with running mineral waters, was used to treat skin
diseases. Only the foundations and some pillars have remained from the
splendor of the Temple of Asklepios, as well as pillars of the arcade
that is thought to have been part of Hippocrates’ Medical School. Also
surviving the millenia is the plane tree of Hippocrates tutored his
students under the shade of its rich foliage. The
International Hippocratic Institute was recently built near the
Asklepion as a public welfare foundation whose aim is the realization of
the Hippocratic principles of humanized medicine. World-renowned
cultural and medical personalities and institutions. In fact the Museum
of Medicine has recently begun to function, with noteworthy exhibitions,
collections of books, stamps, coins and busts related to Hippocrates.
THE CITY OF KOS
Capital of the island, the city of Kos is located on its northeastern
coast. Although not exceptionally large, it impresses the visitor
immediately, with its bike routes, its palm avenues, its people-friendly
design. With many archaeological sights, both within and surrounding the
city, Kos is the ideal place for biking and strolling, as there will
always be something to comment on. Attractions of a different sort are
the wide variety of modern boutiques, tourist shops, bars, cafes and
restaurant of all types. There is also a large selection of hotels and
furnished flats, within and just outside the city. The banks, post
office, Telephone Company, the city museum and most other city services
are in the city, and are housed, for the most part, in the well-preserved,
impressive buildings of the Italian period. The port of Kos is
particularly picturesque with its many pleasure vessels, yachts, cutters
and traditional fishing boats. It’s the spot where locals and tourists
alike “see and are seen”. In recent years extraordinary effort has
been made to meet the challenges presented by the modern tourist. An
infrastructure is being developed to fulfill the needs of citizens and
visitors both. A successful endeavor has been the Water Treatment Center,
which is the most modern in the Mediterranean, and which has made
swimming possible in crystal clear waters on beaches left and right of
the city. In fact, three beaches have won Blue Flags for this season.
Also in progress are the projects of Marina, to better accommodate sea
quests; the development of a spa facility using the existing therapeutic
hot springs; the completion and improvement of the road system, and more.
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