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BLISS_Kos island
ISTOCK BY GETTY IMAGES
The town’s architectural diversity echoes with the history of the land. Alongside the colonial-style Italian buildings
there are low white island houses, Muslim mosques, knights’ walls, apartment blocks and restored ancient public buildings. to the promotion of Hippocrates’ philosophy,
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KOS IS A RARE ARTEFACT MEANT TO STUN THOSE IN
LOVE WITH THE ART OF TRAVELLING. LEAN IN AND
LISTEN TO THE WHISPERS OF AN ISLAND THAT’S BOTH
ANCIENT AND YOUNG.
of Kos: the municipal market, the club, and the Kos is an island where diversity is also evident in
Archaeological Museum, which was built in 1935. the natural environment. Salt ponds, wetlands, pine
Do not neglect to honour the latter with a visit. It forests, plane and eucalyptus trees, volcanic hot
is home to an excellent collection, which includes springs, and an easy hiking mountain 846 metres
prehistoric finds, sculptures, and mosaic floors high, make up a rich and fascinating destination
from the Roman buildings of the ancient city. that is definitely worth exploring. Apart from the
Coming out of the museum, let your gaze glimpse easily accessible, well- maintained trails, a lovely
the edge of the square, where the Deftar Mosque bonus is that one can combine hiking with visiting
keeps the secrets of a different version of Kos. sites of both natural and historical interest. The
In the historical centre, we will become time scenery is undeniably fascinating: the rich flora and
travellers. To begin with, we will take our time fauna, the picturesque mountain villages, and the
wandering through the market place. Onwards diverse architecture are just some of the delightful
to the Doric Hellenistic temple, where we will touches of the land. Taking a stroll through the
admire the altar of Dionysus, the port arcade, Plaka Forest in Antimachia, after visiting one of
and the sanctuary of Hercules. We will tour the the most famous traditional settlements of Kos
remains of the northern side of the wall, as well as and of all the Dodecanese, first inhabited at the
the Roman baths, and let our imagination recreate end of the Neolithic era, you will find yourself
the Roman Conservatory and the luxurious villas admiring dozens of exotic peacocks and cats
with their rich mosaic floors. living in harmony. And if you wish for serenity,
We will walk through Platanos Square- or “Loggia then the forest of Panagia Tsoukalaria, on the
Square”- and stop at the Loggia Mosque to observe outskirts of the island, is just the place to catch
the embedded pieces of ancient and medieval your breath and rest.
monuments that can be seen in its walls. Now, it One of the most famous hiking trails is the one in
is time to rest in the shadow of Hippocrates’ plane Paleo Pyli. Walking through the forest, this trail
tree. Kos was considered the ultimate healing is located about three kilometres southeast of
centre of the ancient world and it was there that Pyli, at an altitude of 300 metres, where you will
Hippocrates, the most famous physician of ancient find the ruins of a medieval fortified Byzantine
Greece, founded his medical school. settlement - as well as the castle of the same name
Kos, named after the daughter of the mythical (Paleo Pyli) - both built in the 11th century.
King Merops, is often described as an open- Up for one-of-a-kind, picturesque architecture?
air museum, and rightly so. Offering dozens of 14 kilometres from the town of Kos lies the most
outdoor archaeological sites and many cultural beautiful settlement of the island. Consisting of
events throughout the year, the homeland of five villages in total (Lagoudi, Evaggelistria - or
the “father of medicine” Hippocrates (460-377 Pera Geytonia - Asomatos, Agios Dimitrios - or
BC), is also home to the ancient Asclepieion. At Haichoutes - and Zia), this architectural ensemble
this most emblematic monument that survives based on the agricultural economy of the 19th and
early 20th century is unique in the Dodecanese.
to this day, the inspirer of the Hippocratic Oath
the Asclepieion of Kos was a religious sanctuary Dikeos. Formerly known as Oromedon, Orion,
practiced and taught his medicine. Contributing Zia is also the starting point for an epic hiking
trail, the one that leads to the top of Mount
dedicated to the god Asclepius (ancient Greek
or Dikeon, the highest mountain in Kos, with an
altitude of 846 metres, features a majestic cross
god of medicine and son of Apollo).
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