Prehistoric to Classical Age
Kos was inhabited from the very early Bronze Age (2900-2100 BC) as the prehistoric tombs and the findings in Asklipi and in the White Stone cave can prove. Pelasgi, Kares and Leleges were the first inhabitants. Phoenicians and Achaeans passed through Kos as well.
We can also find relics of the Mycenaean Era or the later Bronze Age (1600-1150 BC). "Karis" and "Meropis" are the ancient names of Kos. Plinios also called it "Nimphea". In the second rhapsody of Iliad, Homer tells us that Kos along with the islands of Nysiros, Kalymnos, Karpathos and Kassos took part in the Trojan War with thirty ships. This was followed by the Dorianization of the island, when, during the 7th and 6th century BC, Kos took part in the Federal Alliance of "Dorian Hexapolis". There is a huge number and variety of ceramics of the Geometric Era, which was brought to light by archeological diggings. The sailors and merchants that travelled through the Aegean sea, ranked Kos in the same wealth category with the other islands of Asia Minor's coast (Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Rhodes) giving them the name "Makaron” Islands
Polybotes and Kos and Nissyros
Long before the twelve gods of Olympus came to power, people worshipped and were ruled by the sons of Gaia (Earth) and Ouranos (Heaven). These were the giants, or the Titans. In a battle that shook the very foundation of the universe, these giants struggled against the Olympian gods, led by Zeus the son of the Titan Chronos (Time).
The Titans were eventually defeated and after the battle, the giant known as Polybotes fled to Kos to seek refuge. The god of the sea, Poseidon, had a particular hatred for Polybotes and pursued him there. When Poseidon found Polybotes he broke off a part of Kos Island and hurled it at him, crushing the giant and killing him. This, according to myth is how the isle of Nissyros was formed. (Nissyros was in fact part of Kos but was separated by an earthquake. The exact time when this occurred is unknown.)
Hippocrates - Τhe Father of Medicine
Hippocrates was born around 460 BC on the island of Kos, Greece. He became known as the founder of medicine and was regarded as the greatest physician of his time. He based his medical practice on observations and on the study of the human body. He held the belief that illness had a physical and a rational explanation. He rejected the views of his time that considered illness to be caused by superstitions and by possession of evil spirits and disfavour of the gods. Hippocrates held the belief that the body must be treated as a whole and not just a series of parts. He accurately described disease symptoms and was the first physician to accurately describe the symptoms of pneumonia, as well as epilepsy in children. He believed in the natural healing process of rest, a good diet, fresh air and cleanliness. He noted that there were individual differences in the severity of disease symptoms and that some individuals were better able to cope with their disease and illness than others. He was also the first physician that held the belief that thoughts, ideas, and feelings come from the brain and not the heart as others of his time believed. Hippocrates travelled throughout Greece practicing his medicine. He founded a medical school on the island of Kos (The Asklepion) and began teaching his ideas. He soon developed an Oath of Medical Ethics for physicians to follow. This Oath is taken by physicians today as they begin their medical practice – it is known as the Hippocratic Oath and Doctors come from all over the world to visit this site and be presented with one. He died in 377 BC. Today Hippocrates is known as the "Father of Medicine".
The Asclipio of Kos
The Asclipio of Kos seems to have been established in the 4th century BC on the sides of a low hill with a view towards the sea of Asia Minor. It was located close to the ancient city of Kos in an open area with running water, close to the springs of Bourinnas and Red Waters.
It was surrounded by the well known woods of Pine trees. It had always been one of the most famous monuments in Kos, rich in offerings of great works of art by famous artists. The Asclipio of Kos is connected to the works of one of the most important representatives of medical science, Hippocrates (460-380 BC). Hippocrates established the Medical School of Kos as well as the other Asclipia. Initially he followed the traditional therapy of the times. A priest would come and examine the patient in detail and then they would cleanse the patient and then offer sacrifices.
According to the traditional religious therapy, God would appear in the patients dreams and cure their worries and their illnesses. As compulsory payment the patient had to sacrifice a rooster. The practice was followed during the Greek period while later it seems there were more professional doctors, who cured the patients using more scientific methods. Research to find the Asclipio began at the end of the 19th century and was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century by the German archaeologist Rudolf Herzog aided by the Kos historian Jacob Zarrafti. Zarrafti noticed that one of the small Byzantine temples was dedicated to the Tarsou virgin Mary. He assumed that the name Tarsou was a word used for “woods” and was referring to the “woods of pine trees” which was adored by Kiparisios Apollon. In combination with the ancient springs it showed the position to Herzog and in 1901 excavations began, which then continued till 1905. The excavation continued in the 1930’s under the Italian Archaeological Mission which led to further reconstructions which still stand today. In the area which later became a sanctuary, there was initially an area of worship for the curing expert Peionas and Apollo, Asclipio’s father. In this area there was dense woods with pine trees – dedicated to the worship of Apollo Kiparission which was protected by holy law. Other gods were worshipped at the Asclipio like Zeus, Ikesios, Athena Fatria and Apollo Karnios, while in the 4ht century BC the worship of Asclipio was also included and an altar was constructed in his honour.
The worship of Asclipios proved to be one of the most important public worships of Kos during the 3rd and 2nd century BC, especially after 242 BC the year when Kos ensured the acknowledgement of immunity, that is the protection of the sanctuary from attacks of any kind. They also established the Geat Asclipia, a celebration where musical and nudity competitions were held in which all Greek cities took place. During this period the sanctuary was developed as a unified group of buildings with the aim of promoting the worship of Asclipio and to gradually expand in to three smaller buildings, the lowest of these (93x47 metres) was surrounded by arcades. The centre of worship initially consisted of the altar of Asclipios, his son Mohoana and Igeia. South of the temple a square building was added, the Avaton which may have functioned as a cemetery for the patients. In the eastern part of the altar an arcade was constructed(length 17,3 and depth 6.48) where votices were placed towards the North in a semi-circle for outdoor gatherings.
At the beginning of the 2nd century BC the Asclipio was placed under the protection of King Eumeni the second of Pergamou and gained the appearance it has today. It developed into three successive smaller buildings which contained an entrance, arcades, temples, altars, sacred woods, and other smaller different items of worship and buildings, while monument scales helped to reach the different levels. The entrance to the group of buildings was through a monumental four column area which had an 11,5 metres width. The wooden arcades of the lower building were replaced by Doric style arcades. The areas were transformed into places for pilgrims of the sacred area. In the 1st century AD they built the first level which contained toilets, known as vespasians, springs and a library. At the same time a small chapel belonging to the Kos doctor Gaiou Stertinou Xenofontos, who lived in Rome and was the personal physician of the Emperor Tiberius, Klaudios and Nero. The springs, the water supply and the library were his donations.
In the 3rd century AD a large group of springs were added to the eastern side of the lowest buildings. In the second building an area was transformed and decoarated with statues and fountains necessary for the ceremonial therapies. In the second building, the altar of Asclipio was modified adopting the characteristics of Asia Minor and was reconstructed using the prototype of the altar of Pergamou. In the 2nd century AD during the Antonian Age another temple using Korinthian design was added and was dedicated to Apollo. Finally a bigger and more impressive central area was reconstructed. It led to the last building where a large Doric temple was built and dedicated to Asclipio, which was a copy of the temple of Epidaurus.
A monumental area which led to the higher building was surrounded by arcades of Doric design in a Π shape with a Doric temple in the
centre. During the Byzantine period, possibly the 11th century, a church was built Panagia Tarsou which was part of the Patmos
monastery. The area continued to function for some time as is shown by the coins found during the 4th century AD. It was abandoned
after the earthquakes which occurred in 469 to 554 AD. In the 15th century the Asclipio was attacked by the Knights of Command of
Saint John of Jerusalem. They used the building material to construct a Medieval Castle.
The plane tree of Hippocrates
Located Opposite the Entrance of the Castle of Neratzia and the Lotzias mosque. The fountain of the mosque has an Arabic sign which refers to “the water of Hippocrates.” It’s an age-long plane tree at least 500 years old and according to tradition, Hippocrates taught his students under the shade of its leaves.
Castle of Neratzia
The castle of Neratzia was built by the Ioannites Knights on a small island on the south side of the harbour of Kos. It communicated with a mobile bridge with the surrounding city called “Hora”. As is already well – known, after the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, were chased away from the Holy Grounds they ended up in Rhodes and organized the area into a defensive system whose aim was the unhindered transfer of the pilgrims and the visitors to the Holy Grounds. The dangers of the Ottoman attacks and the attacks of the pirates made the Castle of Neratzia one of the most important bastions of the western civilization. Together with the Castle of Petroumiou on the opposite side of the Asia Minor coast, they controlled the narrow sea passing between Kos and Bodrum(Alikarnassou). The first written testimony of the existence of the castle is made in 1431 when guards were delegated by Nicolo de Martoni. Its architectural form, which is not dated before the 15th century, show there was no architectural evidence of previous forms during the Byzantine period.
The construction and repair of the fortified works at Neratzia during the Hippocrates period of 1337-1522 can be separated into two phases, which were due to the transition from the use of traditional weapons to the use of weapons with powder during the 15th century. So in the first building phase they place a rectangular indoor surrounding wall with aligned walls and circular corner towers. After the middle of the 15th century the fortification is reinforced with the external surrounding wall, with special walls and impressive prebattle areas. After 1522 during the take over of Rhodes by the Ottomans, Neratzia surrendered to the Sultan till 1912. The Castle of Neratzia presents two chronological phases which belong to the Hippocrates period and the period of repairs and substitute works during the Turkish reign. During the older phase there was an interior surrounding wall which can be dated by the emblems of the Great Magistros to the 3rd quarter of the 15th century. It is divided from the exterior from the south, the west and the northern side by an interior moat.The entrance towards the wall opens into a square tower of the south western side of the castle and is constructed using marble doorposts and marble lintels which bore the emblem of the Great Magistro d’ Aubusson of the Kos Battalion Carndino during 1478. The corridor of the gate is covered by ten (10) stone columns made of granite which come from the old Christian basilica of Limenos.
The smaller towers consist of vertical equal walls which are crowned by paronychia and powerful battlements. In the construction plenty of building materials were used from ancient buildings and marble signs. From the four surrounding columns – three were saved. The exterior wall consisted of a fine specimen of expertise which the Ioannites had obtained while executing fortification works after the siege of Rhodes from the Turks in 1480. It was rectangular with four bastions in the corner. It was well built to with stand the attacks by cannons. It communicated with the interior wall with an arched bridge. At the same time the exterior moat was formed on the southern side. It communicated with the walled Medieval city Hora, with a mobile bridge and it had an initial width of 33 metres.
During the Italian reign it was transformed into a flat avenue, todays Finikon Street. The bastion of the exterior wall had domed corridors which led to the side areas which had cannon holes. To be able to deal with the smoke from the cannons, air shafts were constructed. The roof of the prebattle area was transformed into powerful cannon holes. The polygon bastion of D’Aubusson (1476-1503) may have been the first to be constructed. Work began in 1489 with the intent of protecting the northern side of the castle. In the south west corner was the port of Kos and the bastion of the Great Magistro Fabrizio del Carreto (1513-1521). It was of circular shape with singular openings of the cannon areas. In the eastern side of the exterior wall there is a square bastion of D’Aubusson(1476-1503) with a square perimetrical corridor on the ground floor with nine cannon holes and air shafts for ventilation and a stone scale which leads to the first level and the roof. The works which followed the bastion were built with stones and for the biggest part were carved.
Fortification of the City
The wall of the ancient city of Kos has the shape of a ring with a perimeter of about 4 kilometres. The wall surrounded a residential area and also a large area of the south of the city with fields and gardens. Parts of the northern side of the wall can be visited today at the Limenis archaeological site. It shapes a crooked line which follows the curve of the coast of the harbour. It’s made of big rectangular stones and has a height of 4 of these stones. The two towers were found in this area, one a rectangular the other a semi-circle.
Its construction dates back to the 4th century BC during the establishment of the new city. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 142BC and was never re-constructed.
Islet Constructions
After the settlement of 366BC the new city of Kos was constructed according to the Ippodanio Street Planning System: the wall of the city would be ring shaped and it would bring the inside area to a perimetrical road from which direction B-N and A-D started. All these directions crossed over between themselves
shaping the interior of the city in a hexagon shape which separated the residential area in blocks. In the centre of the city was the Market(Agora) on the west side the sanctuaries and the substructure for the athletic facilities eg gymnasiums, wrestling arena and stadium, while the houses spread mainly in the eastern and southern part of the city.
The main road was 33 metres wide and went through A-D directions and led to Asclipio and the countryside. In the centre of the streets sewage systems which had been constructed there were clay water pipes which transferred water from the reservoir to the city.
Ancient Sites of the Harbour and Market Place
These sites are south of Platanos Square and is one of the largest archaeological sites with buildings which date back to the Middle Ages. The site is surrounded by a fortress of the medieval city “Hora”. It consists of an ancient harbour which was protected by another wall. Inside the fortress of the harbour there was a sanctuary and a small unnamed temple. In the excavations a small portion of a building and a tower were found, as were parts of the Ancient Market and a big old Christian basilica called the Limenos Basilica.
This discovery and reconstruction of these ancient findings were brought about by the Italian Archaeological Mission after the earthquake of 1933 which completely destroyed Hora and a large portion of the city. Limenos Fort The area of the harbour was outside the main wall of the city and was protected by two separate sea brackets which protected the enclosed harbour. An islet at the inset of the harbour created two narrow passageways for ships to enter. Many parts of the harbour have come to light such as the Arcade of Limenos. Large parts of the harbour were lost or trampled in the 5th century BC by the Limenos Basilica. During the Hippocrates times it was systematically quarried.
The western wall of the harbour was found on two pieces of land on the western part of the modern day harbour at a distance of 25 metres from the sea. The breadth was 2,15 metres and was made from almondstone. A part of the wall has been preserved and can be seen in the basement area of the hotel.Limenos Arcade It was considered the most ancient construction of the area(end of the 4th- beginning of the 3rd century BC). It was violated by the Limenos Basilica. The arcade was excavated at 42 metres and a part of it can still be seen today. It was part of the building made up of rectangular areas, possibly nine of them. In front of the rectangular areas there was an arcade – depth of 6,50 metres. At first the buildings capital was of Doric design, constructed from almondstone while during the Roman period they replaced the pillars which had Corinthian style and the epistyle was made of arrow design. A second storey was added at this stage. The arcade was destroyed by fire and by the earthquake in 469BC. The marble floor which was saved as well as some copper statues can be seen today at Kos museum.
Afrodite Pontias and Pandimou Sanctuary The Afrodisio is dominant at the entrance of the ancient harbour and was built at the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 2nd century BC on a man made embankment of about 3 metres high. It was surrounded on all four sides by Doric arcades and two front entrances. The arcades were in front of an indoor yard 38 by 33 metres, with shops and storage space. In the southern part of the building there is four-pillar temple dedicated to Afrodite Pandimo and Pontia. Pandimo Afrodite was a protector of the Municipality and may have been connected to the settlement of Kos in 366 BC. She was also the protector of marriage, as the divine goddess of love, according to reports newly weds of Kos had to offer a sacrifice to the temple. Afrodite Pontia protected the sailors, fishermen, port workers and sea merchants. Reports show that sailors who worked for large vessels would offer an annual sacrifice worth 30 drachmas or the amount of 15 drachmas to the priest for their safe return. Fishermen and merchants had to pay 5 drachmas to the priest for every ship that left the city’s port. If they forgot to pay they would be fined another 10 drachmas.
Hercules Sanctuary According to sourced, Hercule’s sanctuary was founded in the 4th century BC and had a garden, guest house and different houses. It was built at the end of the 4th century or beginning of the 3rd century BC after the shifting of the eastern ledge of the Limenos wall, upon a man-made hill in a rectangular shape. It was a temple with very simple lines 12,60x 7,50 metres and was surrounded by arcades, monuments and different entrances. It was constructed with grey-green stones, almond stones and white marble which gave the temple its two-toned colour which we found in Kos at the time.
In the second half of the 2nd century BC and especially after the destructive earthquake in 142 AD a series of repairs and extensions were made which were connected with the protector of marriage. The temple shows Hercules having dinner with his wife Halkiopi, daughter of the King of Kos Europilos, their son Thessalos, who was the leader of the Iraklidon and a newly wed couple offering sacrifices to Hercules who was considered the protector of marriage and fertility. The worship of Hercules was of the most important in Kos, local mythology states he was a leader in Kos. His importance was shown by putting Hercules on one side of a coin.
The Market - Agora The Market place of Kos was considered one of the biggest in the ancient world. It was the commercial and commanding centre which was the heart of the ancient city. It was organized around a spacious rectangular yard 50 metres wide and 300 metres long. It began in the Northern area and ended up south on the central road (DECUMANUS) which went through the city from A-D direction. On the northern side which came into contact with the city wall towards the entrance of the harbo, a monumental entrance opened up, while on the eastern side there were shops. In the first half of the 2nd century BC the building was changed around and extended towards the interior yard. The building was destroyed in an earthquake in 469AD. In the southern end of the Market they found a round building, a Roman dome and a workshop which produced colours including the famous colour “Egyptian Blue”. Coins and treasures were found and many copper statues from Roman times. In the western side excavations led to the findings of rooms. Mosaic floors which showed beast fights, a theme which was quite popular in Kos.
Basilic of Limenos The basilica of Limenos is dated to 5 -6 century AD and belonged to the type of Basilica which had a three naved wooden roofed basilica with an atrium and baptistery. It’s considered one of the biggest basilicas in the Mediterranean. It measured 72 metres in length and 23,5 metres in width. It’s possibly one of the first buildings of the new religion in Kos, which had been consolidated from the 4th century. This was confirmed by the Bishop of Kos who took part in the works. The Basilica which was saved at the foundation stage, was built on the remnants of the Limenos Arcade and the eastern Port which were built up to create an artificial embankment, with the aim for it to hold a prominent position as a monument. For its construction, building materials from ancient monuments were used. The paved atrium had three sides which were surrounded by arcades. The western arcade was double, while the eastern side led to the three sided antenave. The main temple had a mosaic floor and was divided into three levels with granite columns which the Knights built into the gate of the Castle of Neratzia.
Baptistry of the Limenos Basilica 5th – 6th Centuary AD The division of the area of the Baptistry during this period, when infant baptism hadn’t been established yet, was adjusted to the ceremony of Baptism which consisted of three important phases. First, the ceremony of exorcism or excommunication of the Outer House, then the confession of Faith followed by the divine inspiration and the smearing of the holy oil in the Chrismaria. The Baptistry of the Limenos Basilica is situated south and communicates with the south nave of the main temple through a corridor which was 5,5 metres long. The room of the divine light was circular, registered into square rooms. The walls opened into seven semi circular niches, amongst these were eight columns which were supported by a semi circle dome of the roof. In the centre of the room a cross shaped font was found with two vertical openings of one metre each. While the smaller shallow openings are in the south west side. The eastern niche was used as a Chrismario or Chrism unction while in the remaining three sides it was surrounded by rectangular corridors. In the middle of the western corridor an exterior gate opens up from which those to be baptized went through. The south corridor was for the newly baptised to receive communion dressed in white, holding the altar candles.
Altar of Dionysios and the Temple of Amigdalona
The altar of Dionysos and a Doric temple were found southeast of the Market. From the altar, which was a typical specimen of Greel architecture, the level where sacrifices were made was saved. In the interior eastern side of the altar there was a desk and behind that a low bench.
Parts of the marble sculpture can be found in different parts of the city like the entrance of the Castle of Neratzia. The altar is considered to be from the 2nd century BC and is based on parchment prototypes. The unnamed temple was of Doric design, and consisted of an altar and goes back to the 2nd century BC. A base made of marble for a Colossious statue shows a monarch who was connected to the divinity of Attalides.
The Odeon of Kos
The Odeon was constructed in the 3rd century AD and was made up of a hollow area on the southern side and the orchestra and stage on the northern side. The hollow of the building was supported by big built columns in the back area and the exterior walls. Among the columns there were semi-circle arcades and
a line of rooms which were used as shops and workshops. In the interior arcades of the conservatory, marble statues were discovered from the Greek and Roman period. These exhibits can be seen today in the museum of Kos. The Odeon is congressional and musical competitions and choirs were held there.
Casa Romana
It was excavated by the Italian archaeological Department between 1933 and 1936. The area of the building is 2,381 square metres and takes up a whole block. The wealth of the house shows that in Kos there was middle and upper class. These classes wanted to show their wealth and social status and good taste through the decorating of their house.
Western Archaeological Site
It’s located in the centre of the city south of the stadium, north of the conservatory. North west of the Roman settlements and south west of Acropoleos Hill. Inside the site they have found parts of a Gymnasium, The Western Baths, the sanctuary of the Nymphs, the house of Europe, Slinou’s house,
the mosaic of Parido’s judgement, two old Christian basilicans and a cross road.
Western Gymnasium It was in close proximity to the stadium from which it was separated by a narrow road 1,20 metres wide. It was located B-D 200 metres and A-D 120 metres. It had an interior yard which went right by the gymnasium. Part of the arcade was found in the west.
House of the Kidnapping of Europe The name was given because of the mosaic floor which depicts “The kidnapping of Europe” by Zeus transformed into a Bull. The home has been restored and still be visited today in the western Archaeological area. Its initial construction dates back to the ancient Greek times at the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the nd century BC. The type of monument we see today goes back to the Empire period. We can distinguish two different styles, one older, one from the 2nd century BC and a more modern one from 225-250 century AD.
Basilica A It is situated in the archaeological area of West Thermae. It was built after the 469 earthquake, where the Roman baths (frigidarium) used to be. It had three navs with a large semicircle arch in the east which had a semi-circle amphithetre seating where the clergy would sit. The Communion table was supported by five cone shaped columns whose bases can still be seen today. It was probably destroyed by the earthquake in 554.
Basilica Β It is situated in the archaeological area of the West Thermae. It was built after the earthquake of 469 and occupied the area of the warm baths (caldarium) where the Roman baths used to be situated. From the temple a few architectural elements were kept but many marble architectural parts, among which is the impressive pulpit which is kept in the Castle of the Knights. Many of these have been constructed from a special kind of marble. South of the temple, the Baptistry is attached to a square lit up area and a cylinder font.The marble monumental entrance was reconstructed during the Italian reign. The Basilica and the Baptistry were probably destroyed by the earthquake in 554.
Ancient Stadium
The stadium is rectangular and is 1,80 metres long Middle Ages Hora Pre earthquake Kos had the form of a typical city of the 18th and 19th century in the southeastern Aegean divided into districts. According to sourced of the time in the walled medieval city Hora., Jews and Greek orthodox mainly resided there. It was not unusual for wealthy Turkish or Greek families who lived in Hora to also
have a country home outside the walls, in the area of the Orange groves or they may have had a shop along the harbour. The exterior city has been transformed into districts which correspond to Christians, Jews and Muslims. The division of the residents of the island into districts, remained almost unchanged till the end of the 19th century till 1928, the period in which the first reconstructions of the big public buildings by the Italian conquerors. The destructive earthquake of 1933 flattened the city and gave the chance to the Italian administration for the reorganization of the city of Kos into a modern planned city incorporated the ancient sites which had been excavated. The plans which were used gave Kos the look of a metropolitan city of the East. Parts of this reconstruction is still visible today.Fortification of the Medieval City The fortification of Hora may have began in the last decades of the 14th century by the Great Magistro of Heredia Battalion and commander of Kos Schlegelholz so as to protect the medieval city from the attacks by the Sultan Bagiazit A’. It was completed in 1500 with the opening of the new commander’s Constanzo Operti moat which had a 16 metre width and length on the south side (todays Ippocrates street). On the exterior of the northern side there was a lake which is described in the official papers of the knight’s and other visitors. The wall consists of one of the simplest and oldest examples of defensive architecture by the Knights of the Dodecanese. Parts have been saved but the area which it surrounded is in the archaeological site of Ancient Agora.
The fortification was almost rectangular and was reinforced with bastions on the south south-west and north-east corner. The Northeastern side was not saved. This was where the command centre was until the 1926 earthquake. Today a large part of the southern side has been preserved where two small rectangular towers were saved. From the northern side only a small part was saved. It was part of the embankment of Platanos of Hippocrates, opposite the entrance of the Castle of Neratzia – today’s Finikon Street. On the western is the Forou Gate while the eastern side was destroyed. It had five gates, The Gate of the Sea in the eastern part, which wasn’t saved as were two other gates which opened towards the northern side: one towards the Castle of Neratzia and one towards the Sea. Both have been preserved. a)Gate of Forou: Monumental entrance on the eastern side of the perimeter wall of Hora, it had an ancient dressed stone masonary as a lintel and above this a semi-circle arch. b)The South East Gate: It’s situated in the eastern end of the southern fortification towards the sea. It’s on the embankment of the entrance, centrally situated and possibly used a second gate, it was found built into stone witht the emblem of the Great Magistrou De Heredia (1376 – 1396) of the Battalion under the command of Kos Schlegelhotz (1386 – 1412). On the top floor there were additions were made by the Turks. These consisted of a series of oblong openings and small arches.
Knightly Home - Home of Commander Francesco Sans (1514) It’s situated along Miaouli coast and was inside the perimeter wall of the Medieval city. It’s the only secular building of the Knight era in kos which was built in 1514 by the Commander of Kos Francesco Sans. It consists of two covered rectangular areas. Initially the main entrance was the western one (in Mesologgiou street). During the Turkish reign the building was used as a coffee shop and two windows were opened on the eastern side (in Akti Miaouli street) symmetrically with the western windows. The transformation of the eastern side was done during the Italian reign. It was reconstructed by the 4th department of the Byzantine and was used as an archaeological library and exhibition area. The walls were quite well taken care of with carved stones, sculpted cornices and archaeological materials. On the top and on the right from the southern entrance and the western side was a built in emblem of the Great Magistro Fabrizio Del Carretto and the emblem of the Commander Francesco Sans and the year was 1514.
St. John Prodromos or Naukliros It belongs to the type of temple which had a one room area covered with a three sided exterior arch and two entrances, one on the west side and one on the south side. The temple was dedicated to St John, protector of the Ioannites Knights and dates back to the 15th century. In the beginning of the 19th century, before the construction of St Nicholas church, it held the place of the Metropolis Temple for Hora.
In the middle of the 19th century the public of Kos chose Anastasio Platanista as head preservation and repair because the temple had suffered much damage even before the earthquake of 1933 and it was almost in ruins before the earthquake occurred in 1861. It seems the repairs which Platanista took over were never completed. Straight after the earthquake, excavation of Hora began. The rubble from approximately 400 houses was taken away and three of the nine churches of Hora were demolished. During the excavations of Hore carried out by the Italian Archaeological Mission, it was ascertained that it had been built over the sanctuary of Afrodite. In June 1943 it was decided to move the sanctuary to the north west part of Hora. This was considered a very important technical job for those days. During the reconstruction to complete the side walls and the construction of the chamber, soft stone from Kefalos was used. The completion was done in an alcove and a discreet ridge divided the tow sections. They made the chamber watertight using plumbing plaster. In 1947 the bishop of Kos, Emmanuel Karpathion, dedicated the church to a new latter day martyr St John Of Naukliro. After applying to the Mayor the bishop renamed the street leading to the church Nauklirou Street.
Temple of Mary Gorgopigi The first mention of this church is made in the A’ code of the Metropolis in 1693, where it is mentioned that ownership of the vineyards was shared by Mary Neohoritissa. The Bishop of Kos Emmanuel Karpathiou, mentions the name Goropigi: the title was changed to the more popular Gorgopigin. Today we use the name which means quick spring and shows that St Mary Gorgopigin will quickly do the bidding of the person who is asking for help. The church is a one chamber temple with a three sided arch on the exterior and two entrances, one in the middle of the south side and one in the middle of the west side. The chamber near the roof is slightly raised and is covered by carved stones with smaller stones used as well. The walls were made from old marble pieces and signs. The floor was made from red square clay blocks. In the centre of the main temple there is a marble tomb stone.
The main temple is divided by the Holy Podium with a wood carved temple of exquisite craftsmanship which dates to the 18th century. Inside, the walls of the temple have scenes depicted on them, mainly on the south wall of the main temple and the Arch of the Sanctuary. Two layers were found , one which dates to the 15th century and the other to the 16th century. It is believed that the walls can be attributed to the artist Nikoloaou who also painted the temple of the Hora Castle in Kalymnos and the temple of St Mary Kastrianon in Old Pyli. The illustrated part of the temple shows that the temple was built inside the walled area of the city at the beginning of the 15th century.
St. George According to the Metropolis records, the building was finished in 1882. It was located in the south eastern part of the archaeological area of the Agora. In the yard there was a temple of St George and the tombs of Dimostheni and Alexi Thimanaki. In 1772 during the reign of the Bishop Kallinikou, the temple was inside a vineyard and was surrounded by a wall. Owner of the temple was the church St Marina.From the beginning to the end of the 19th century the temple donated a lot of money to the Metropolis temple and it shows a lot of income. In 1892 it is built in the memory of Ekaterine daughter of Panteloglou wife of Alexiou Thimanaki.
The First School in Kos The Kos Bishop Emmaouel Karpathiou, after many years of research, concluded that at the end of 17th century beginning of the 18th century, very few people in Kos knew how to read and write. Those that did know were mainly priests who only knew the basics so as to be able to sign and perform duties. The chanters were monks from large monastries which had chares in Kos ( St Catherine of Sina, St Mary of Kikkou in Cyprus, St John Theologou in Patmos) and they had helped in teaching the basics. In 1773 the first public decision, after the initiative was taken by Archbishop Kallinikou, to open the first school. At the meeting which was held on the 20th October 1773 two committee members were elected, Mr Aslanis and Mr Stamatakis (codeA’ 206 – 207). At the meeting the first teacher was present. The monk Daniel, who was given the position of teacher by the Archbishop Kallinilou, and was also responsible for paying the rent.
Temple of St. Marys Katevatis It’s situated in the archaeological area of the Agora. It takes up the southern part and consists of six domed storerooms which are situated near the southern side of the area. It’s a single covered chamber area, and has a semi circle arch in the eastern area and an entrance in the middle of the western area. In the middle of the chamber on the roof there was a circular opening and according to tradition it was used for the easy access of the churchgoers. The temple was dedicated to St Mary of Kikkou and had shares in the Monastry of Kikkou in Cyprus. It was located in the surrounding area of the pre-earthquake Metropolis temple of St Nicholas.
Temple of St. Constantine and Eleni It was a single chamber covered by a roof with a semi circular arch in the eastern side and had an entrance on the west and south side. It was possibly built on the site of an older temple because foundations of a three sided arch on the eastern side were found.
Kos was inhabited from the very early Bronze Age (2900-2100 BC) as the prehistoric tombs and the findings in Asklipi and in the White Stone cave can prove. Pelasgi, Kares and Leleges were the first inhabitants. Phoenicians and Achaeans passed through Kos as well.
We can also find relics of the Mycenaean Era or the later Bronze Age (1600-1150 BC). "Karis" and "Meropis" are the ancient names of Kos. Plinios also called it "Nimphea". In the second rhapsody of Iliad, Homer tells us that Kos along with the islands of Nysiros, Kalymnos, Karpathos and Kassos took part in the Trojan War with thirty ships. This was followed by the Dorianization of the island, when, during the 7th and 6th century BC, Kos took part in the Federal Alliance of "Dorian Hexapolis". There is a huge number and variety of ceramics of the Geometric Era, which was brought to light by archeological diggings. The sailors and merchants that travelled through the Aegean sea, ranked Kos in the same wealth category with the other islands of Asia Minor's coast (Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Rhodes) giving them the name "Makaron” Islands
Polybotes and Kos and Nissyros
Long before the twelve gods of Olympus came to power, people worshipped and were ruled by the sons of Gaia (Earth) and Ouranos (Heaven). These were the giants, or the Titans. In a battle that shook the very foundation of the universe, these giants struggled against the Olympian gods, led by Zeus the son of the Titan Chronos (Time).
The Titans were eventually defeated and after the battle, the giant known as Polybotes fled to Kos to seek refuge. The god of the sea, Poseidon, had a particular hatred for Polybotes and pursued him there. When Poseidon found Polybotes he broke off a part of Kos Island and hurled it at him, crushing the giant and killing him. This, according to myth is how the isle of Nissyros was formed. (Nissyros was in fact part of Kos but was separated by an earthquake. The exact time when this occurred is unknown.)
Hippocrates - Τhe Father of Medicine
Hippocrates was born around 460 BC on the island of Kos, Greece. He became known as the founder of medicine and was regarded as the greatest physician of his time. He based his medical practice on observations and on the study of the human body. He held the belief that illness had a physical and a rational explanation. He rejected the views of his time that considered illness to be caused by superstitions and by possession of evil spirits and disfavour of the gods. Hippocrates held the belief that the body must be treated as a whole and not just a series of parts. He accurately described disease symptoms and was the first physician to accurately describe the symptoms of pneumonia, as well as epilepsy in children. He believed in the natural healing process of rest, a good diet, fresh air and cleanliness. He noted that there were individual differences in the severity of disease symptoms and that some individuals were better able to cope with their disease and illness than others. He was also the first physician that held the belief that thoughts, ideas, and feelings come from the brain and not the heart as others of his time believed. Hippocrates travelled throughout Greece practicing his medicine. He founded a medical school on the island of Kos (The Asklepion) and began teaching his ideas. He soon developed an Oath of Medical Ethics for physicians to follow. This Oath is taken by physicians today as they begin their medical practice – it is known as the Hippocratic Oath and Doctors come from all over the world to visit this site and be presented with one. He died in 377 BC. Today Hippocrates is known as the "Father of Medicine".
The Asclipio of Kos
The Asclipio of Kos seems to have been established in the 4th century BC on the sides of a low hill with a view towards the sea of Asia Minor. It was located close to the ancient city of Kos in an open area with running water, close to the springs of Bourinnas and Red Waters.
It was surrounded by the well known woods of Pine trees. It had always been one of the most famous monuments in Kos, rich in offerings of great works of art by famous artists. The Asclipio of Kos is connected to the works of one of the most important representatives of medical science, Hippocrates (460-380 BC). Hippocrates established the Medical School of Kos as well as the other Asclipia. Initially he followed the traditional therapy of the times. A priest would come and examine the patient in detail and then they would cleanse the patient and then offer sacrifices.
According to the traditional religious therapy, God would appear in the patients dreams and cure their worries and their illnesses. As compulsory payment the patient had to sacrifice a rooster. The practice was followed during the Greek period while later it seems there were more professional doctors, who cured the patients using more scientific methods. Research to find the Asclipio began at the end of the 19th century and was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century by the German archaeologist Rudolf Herzog aided by the Kos historian Jacob Zarrafti. Zarrafti noticed that one of the small Byzantine temples was dedicated to the Tarsou virgin Mary. He assumed that the name Tarsou was a word used for “woods” and was referring to the “woods of pine trees” which was adored by Kiparisios Apollon. In combination with the ancient springs it showed the position to Herzog and in 1901 excavations began, which then continued till 1905. The excavation continued in the 1930’s under the Italian Archaeological Mission which led to further reconstructions which still stand today. In the area which later became a sanctuary, there was initially an area of worship for the curing expert Peionas and Apollo, Asclipio’s father. In this area there was dense woods with pine trees – dedicated to the worship of Apollo Kiparission which was protected by holy law. Other gods were worshipped at the Asclipio like Zeus, Ikesios, Athena Fatria and Apollo Karnios, while in the 4ht century BC the worship of Asclipio was also included and an altar was constructed in his honour.
The worship of Asclipios proved to be one of the most important public worships of Kos during the 3rd and 2nd century BC, especially after 242 BC the year when Kos ensured the acknowledgement of immunity, that is the protection of the sanctuary from attacks of any kind. They also established the Geat Asclipia, a celebration where musical and nudity competitions were held in which all Greek cities took place. During this period the sanctuary was developed as a unified group of buildings with the aim of promoting the worship of Asclipio and to gradually expand in to three smaller buildings, the lowest of these (93x47 metres) was surrounded by arcades. The centre of worship initially consisted of the altar of Asclipios, his son Mohoana and Igeia. South of the temple a square building was added, the Avaton which may have functioned as a cemetery for the patients. In the eastern part of the altar an arcade was constructed(length 17,3 and depth 6.48) where votices were placed towards the North in a semi-circle for outdoor gatherings.
At the beginning of the 2nd century BC the Asclipio was placed under the protection of King Eumeni the second of Pergamou and gained the appearance it has today. It developed into three successive smaller buildings which contained an entrance, arcades, temples, altars, sacred woods, and other smaller different items of worship and buildings, while monument scales helped to reach the different levels. The entrance to the group of buildings was through a monumental four column area which had an 11,5 metres width. The wooden arcades of the lower building were replaced by Doric style arcades. The areas were transformed into places for pilgrims of the sacred area. In the 1st century AD they built the first level which contained toilets, known as vespasians, springs and a library. At the same time a small chapel belonging to the Kos doctor Gaiou Stertinou Xenofontos, who lived in Rome and was the personal physician of the Emperor Tiberius, Klaudios and Nero. The springs, the water supply and the library were his donations.
In the 3rd century AD a large group of springs were added to the eastern side of the lowest buildings. In the second building an area was transformed and decoarated with statues and fountains necessary for the ceremonial therapies. In the second building, the altar of Asclipio was modified adopting the characteristics of Asia Minor and was reconstructed using the prototype of the altar of Pergamou. In the 2nd century AD during the Antonian Age another temple using Korinthian design was added and was dedicated to Apollo. Finally a bigger and more impressive central area was reconstructed. It led to the last building where a large Doric temple was built and dedicated to Asclipio, which was a copy of the temple of Epidaurus.
A monumental area which led to the higher building was surrounded by arcades of Doric design in a Π shape with a Doric temple in the
centre. During the Byzantine period, possibly the 11th century, a church was built Panagia Tarsou which was part of the Patmos
monastery. The area continued to function for some time as is shown by the coins found during the 4th century AD. It was abandoned
after the earthquakes which occurred in 469 to 554 AD. In the 15th century the Asclipio was attacked by the Knights of Command of
Saint John of Jerusalem. They used the building material to construct a Medieval Castle.
The plane tree of Hippocrates
Located Opposite the Entrance of the Castle of Neratzia and the Lotzias mosque. The fountain of the mosque has an Arabic sign which refers to “the water of Hippocrates.” It’s an age-long plane tree at least 500 years old and according to tradition, Hippocrates taught his students under the shade of its leaves.
Castle of Neratzia
The castle of Neratzia was built by the Ioannites Knights on a small island on the south side of the harbour of Kos. It communicated with a mobile bridge with the surrounding city called “Hora”. As is already well – known, after the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, were chased away from the Holy Grounds they ended up in Rhodes and organized the area into a defensive system whose aim was the unhindered transfer of the pilgrims and the visitors to the Holy Grounds. The dangers of the Ottoman attacks and the attacks of the pirates made the Castle of Neratzia one of the most important bastions of the western civilization. Together with the Castle of Petroumiou on the opposite side of the Asia Minor coast, they controlled the narrow sea passing between Kos and Bodrum(Alikarnassou). The first written testimony of the existence of the castle is made in 1431 when guards were delegated by Nicolo de Martoni. Its architectural form, which is not dated before the 15th century, show there was no architectural evidence of previous forms during the Byzantine period.
The construction and repair of the fortified works at Neratzia during the Hippocrates period of 1337-1522 can be separated into two phases, which were due to the transition from the use of traditional weapons to the use of weapons with powder during the 15th century. So in the first building phase they place a rectangular indoor surrounding wall with aligned walls and circular corner towers. After the middle of the 15th century the fortification is reinforced with the external surrounding wall, with special walls and impressive prebattle areas. After 1522 during the take over of Rhodes by the Ottomans, Neratzia surrendered to the Sultan till 1912. The Castle of Neratzia presents two chronological phases which belong to the Hippocrates period and the period of repairs and substitute works during the Turkish reign. During the older phase there was an interior surrounding wall which can be dated by the emblems of the Great Magistros to the 3rd quarter of the 15th century. It is divided from the exterior from the south, the west and the northern side by an interior moat.The entrance towards the wall opens into a square tower of the south western side of the castle and is constructed using marble doorposts and marble lintels which bore the emblem of the Great Magistro d’ Aubusson of the Kos Battalion Carndino during 1478. The corridor of the gate is covered by ten (10) stone columns made of granite which come from the old Christian basilica of Limenos.
The smaller towers consist of vertical equal walls which are crowned by paronychia and powerful battlements. In the construction plenty of building materials were used from ancient buildings and marble signs. From the four surrounding columns – three were saved. The exterior wall consisted of a fine specimen of expertise which the Ioannites had obtained while executing fortification works after the siege of Rhodes from the Turks in 1480. It was rectangular with four bastions in the corner. It was well built to with stand the attacks by cannons. It communicated with the interior wall with an arched bridge. At the same time the exterior moat was formed on the southern side. It communicated with the walled Medieval city Hora, with a mobile bridge and it had an initial width of 33 metres.
During the Italian reign it was transformed into a flat avenue, todays Finikon Street. The bastion of the exterior wall had domed corridors which led to the side areas which had cannon holes. To be able to deal with the smoke from the cannons, air shafts were constructed. The roof of the prebattle area was transformed into powerful cannon holes. The polygon bastion of D’Aubusson (1476-1503) may have been the first to be constructed. Work began in 1489 with the intent of protecting the northern side of the castle. In the south west corner was the port of Kos and the bastion of the Great Magistro Fabrizio del Carreto (1513-1521). It was of circular shape with singular openings of the cannon areas. In the eastern side of the exterior wall there is a square bastion of D’Aubusson(1476-1503) with a square perimetrical corridor on the ground floor with nine cannon holes and air shafts for ventilation and a stone scale which leads to the first level and the roof. The works which followed the bastion were built with stones and for the biggest part were carved.
Fortification of the City
The wall of the ancient city of Kos has the shape of a ring with a perimeter of about 4 kilometres. The wall surrounded a residential area and also a large area of the south of the city with fields and gardens. Parts of the northern side of the wall can be visited today at the Limenis archaeological site. It shapes a crooked line which follows the curve of the coast of the harbour. It’s made of big rectangular stones and has a height of 4 of these stones. The two towers were found in this area, one a rectangular the other a semi-circle.
Its construction dates back to the 4th century BC during the establishment of the new city. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 142BC and was never re-constructed.
Islet Constructions
After the settlement of 366BC the new city of Kos was constructed according to the Ippodanio Street Planning System: the wall of the city would be ring shaped and it would bring the inside area to a perimetrical road from which direction B-N and A-D started. All these directions crossed over between themselves
shaping the interior of the city in a hexagon shape which separated the residential area in blocks. In the centre of the city was the Market(Agora) on the west side the sanctuaries and the substructure for the athletic facilities eg gymnasiums, wrestling arena and stadium, while the houses spread mainly in the eastern and southern part of the city.
The main road was 33 metres wide and went through A-D directions and led to Asclipio and the countryside. In the centre of the streets sewage systems which had been constructed there were clay water pipes which transferred water from the reservoir to the city.
Ancient Sites of the Harbour and Market Place
These sites are south of Platanos Square and is one of the largest archaeological sites with buildings which date back to the Middle Ages. The site is surrounded by a fortress of the medieval city “Hora”. It consists of an ancient harbour which was protected by another wall. Inside the fortress of the harbour there was a sanctuary and a small unnamed temple. In the excavations a small portion of a building and a tower were found, as were parts of the Ancient Market and a big old Christian basilica called the Limenos Basilica.
This discovery and reconstruction of these ancient findings were brought about by the Italian Archaeological Mission after the earthquake of 1933 which completely destroyed Hora and a large portion of the city. Limenos Fort The area of the harbour was outside the main wall of the city and was protected by two separate sea brackets which protected the enclosed harbour. An islet at the inset of the harbour created two narrow passageways for ships to enter. Many parts of the harbour have come to light such as the Arcade of Limenos. Large parts of the harbour were lost or trampled in the 5th century BC by the Limenos Basilica. During the Hippocrates times it was systematically quarried.
The western wall of the harbour was found on two pieces of land on the western part of the modern day harbour at a distance of 25 metres from the sea. The breadth was 2,15 metres and was made from almondstone. A part of the wall has been preserved and can be seen in the basement area of the hotel.Limenos Arcade It was considered the most ancient construction of the area(end of the 4th- beginning of the 3rd century BC). It was violated by the Limenos Basilica. The arcade was excavated at 42 metres and a part of it can still be seen today. It was part of the building made up of rectangular areas, possibly nine of them. In front of the rectangular areas there was an arcade – depth of 6,50 metres. At first the buildings capital was of Doric design, constructed from almondstone while during the Roman period they replaced the pillars which had Corinthian style and the epistyle was made of arrow design. A second storey was added at this stage. The arcade was destroyed by fire and by the earthquake in 469BC. The marble floor which was saved as well as some copper statues can be seen today at Kos museum.
Afrodite Pontias and Pandimou Sanctuary The Afrodisio is dominant at the entrance of the ancient harbour and was built at the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 2nd century BC on a man made embankment of about 3 metres high. It was surrounded on all four sides by Doric arcades and two front entrances. The arcades were in front of an indoor yard 38 by 33 metres, with shops and storage space. In the southern part of the building there is four-pillar temple dedicated to Afrodite Pandimo and Pontia. Pandimo Afrodite was a protector of the Municipality and may have been connected to the settlement of Kos in 366 BC. She was also the protector of marriage, as the divine goddess of love, according to reports newly weds of Kos had to offer a sacrifice to the temple. Afrodite Pontia protected the sailors, fishermen, port workers and sea merchants. Reports show that sailors who worked for large vessels would offer an annual sacrifice worth 30 drachmas or the amount of 15 drachmas to the priest for their safe return. Fishermen and merchants had to pay 5 drachmas to the priest for every ship that left the city’s port. If they forgot to pay they would be fined another 10 drachmas.
Hercules Sanctuary According to sourced, Hercule’s sanctuary was founded in the 4th century BC and had a garden, guest house and different houses. It was built at the end of the 4th century or beginning of the 3rd century BC after the shifting of the eastern ledge of the Limenos wall, upon a man-made hill in a rectangular shape. It was a temple with very simple lines 12,60x 7,50 metres and was surrounded by arcades, monuments and different entrances. It was constructed with grey-green stones, almond stones and white marble which gave the temple its two-toned colour which we found in Kos at the time.
In the second half of the 2nd century BC and especially after the destructive earthquake in 142 AD a series of repairs and extensions were made which were connected with the protector of marriage. The temple shows Hercules having dinner with his wife Halkiopi, daughter of the King of Kos Europilos, their son Thessalos, who was the leader of the Iraklidon and a newly wed couple offering sacrifices to Hercules who was considered the protector of marriage and fertility. The worship of Hercules was of the most important in Kos, local mythology states he was a leader in Kos. His importance was shown by putting Hercules on one side of a coin.
The Market - Agora The Market place of Kos was considered one of the biggest in the ancient world. It was the commercial and commanding centre which was the heart of the ancient city. It was organized around a spacious rectangular yard 50 metres wide and 300 metres long. It began in the Northern area and ended up south on the central road (DECUMANUS) which went through the city from A-D direction. On the northern side which came into contact with the city wall towards the entrance of the harbo, a monumental entrance opened up, while on the eastern side there were shops. In the first half of the 2nd century BC the building was changed around and extended towards the interior yard. The building was destroyed in an earthquake in 469AD. In the southern end of the Market they found a round building, a Roman dome and a workshop which produced colours including the famous colour “Egyptian Blue”. Coins and treasures were found and many copper statues from Roman times. In the western side excavations led to the findings of rooms. Mosaic floors which showed beast fights, a theme which was quite popular in Kos.
Basilic of Limenos The basilica of Limenos is dated to 5 -6 century AD and belonged to the type of Basilica which had a three naved wooden roofed basilica with an atrium and baptistery. It’s considered one of the biggest basilicas in the Mediterranean. It measured 72 metres in length and 23,5 metres in width. It’s possibly one of the first buildings of the new religion in Kos, which had been consolidated from the 4th century. This was confirmed by the Bishop of Kos who took part in the works. The Basilica which was saved at the foundation stage, was built on the remnants of the Limenos Arcade and the eastern Port which were built up to create an artificial embankment, with the aim for it to hold a prominent position as a monument. For its construction, building materials from ancient monuments were used. The paved atrium had three sides which were surrounded by arcades. The western arcade was double, while the eastern side led to the three sided antenave. The main temple had a mosaic floor and was divided into three levels with granite columns which the Knights built into the gate of the Castle of Neratzia.
Baptistry of the Limenos Basilica 5th – 6th Centuary AD The division of the area of the Baptistry during this period, when infant baptism hadn’t been established yet, was adjusted to the ceremony of Baptism which consisted of three important phases. First, the ceremony of exorcism or excommunication of the Outer House, then the confession of Faith followed by the divine inspiration and the smearing of the holy oil in the Chrismaria. The Baptistry of the Limenos Basilica is situated south and communicates with the south nave of the main temple through a corridor which was 5,5 metres long. The room of the divine light was circular, registered into square rooms. The walls opened into seven semi circular niches, amongst these were eight columns which were supported by a semi circle dome of the roof. In the centre of the room a cross shaped font was found with two vertical openings of one metre each. While the smaller shallow openings are in the south west side. The eastern niche was used as a Chrismario or Chrism unction while in the remaining three sides it was surrounded by rectangular corridors. In the middle of the western corridor an exterior gate opens up from which those to be baptized went through. The south corridor was for the newly baptised to receive communion dressed in white, holding the altar candles.
Altar of Dionysios and the Temple of Amigdalona
The altar of Dionysos and a Doric temple were found southeast of the Market. From the altar, which was a typical specimen of Greel architecture, the level where sacrifices were made was saved. In the interior eastern side of the altar there was a desk and behind that a low bench.
Parts of the marble sculpture can be found in different parts of the city like the entrance of the Castle of Neratzia. The altar is considered to be from the 2nd century BC and is based on parchment prototypes. The unnamed temple was of Doric design, and consisted of an altar and goes back to the 2nd century BC. A base made of marble for a Colossious statue shows a monarch who was connected to the divinity of Attalides.
The Odeon of Kos
The Odeon was constructed in the 3rd century AD and was made up of a hollow area on the southern side and the orchestra and stage on the northern side. The hollow of the building was supported by big built columns in the back area and the exterior walls. Among the columns there were semi-circle arcades and
a line of rooms which were used as shops and workshops. In the interior arcades of the conservatory, marble statues were discovered from the Greek and Roman period. These exhibits can be seen today in the museum of Kos. The Odeon is congressional and musical competitions and choirs were held there.
Casa Romana
It was excavated by the Italian archaeological Department between 1933 and 1936. The area of the building is 2,381 square metres and takes up a whole block. The wealth of the house shows that in Kos there was middle and upper class. These classes wanted to show their wealth and social status and good taste through the decorating of their house.
Western Archaeological Site
It’s located in the centre of the city south of the stadium, north of the conservatory. North west of the Roman settlements and south west of Acropoleos Hill. Inside the site they have found parts of a Gymnasium, The Western Baths, the sanctuary of the Nymphs, the house of Europe, Slinou’s house,
the mosaic of Parido’s judgement, two old Christian basilicans and a cross road.
Western Gymnasium It was in close proximity to the stadium from which it was separated by a narrow road 1,20 metres wide. It was located B-D 200 metres and A-D 120 metres. It had an interior yard which went right by the gymnasium. Part of the arcade was found in the west.
House of the Kidnapping of Europe The name was given because of the mosaic floor which depicts “The kidnapping of Europe” by Zeus transformed into a Bull. The home has been restored and still be visited today in the western Archaeological area. Its initial construction dates back to the ancient Greek times at the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the nd century BC. The type of monument we see today goes back to the Empire period. We can distinguish two different styles, one older, one from the 2nd century BC and a more modern one from 225-250 century AD.
Basilica A It is situated in the archaeological area of West Thermae. It was built after the 469 earthquake, where the Roman baths (frigidarium) used to be. It had three navs with a large semicircle arch in the east which had a semi-circle amphithetre seating where the clergy would sit. The Communion table was supported by five cone shaped columns whose bases can still be seen today. It was probably destroyed by the earthquake in 554.
Basilica Β It is situated in the archaeological area of the West Thermae. It was built after the earthquake of 469 and occupied the area of the warm baths (caldarium) where the Roman baths used to be situated. From the temple a few architectural elements were kept but many marble architectural parts, among which is the impressive pulpit which is kept in the Castle of the Knights. Many of these have been constructed from a special kind of marble. South of the temple, the Baptistry is attached to a square lit up area and a cylinder font.The marble monumental entrance was reconstructed during the Italian reign. The Basilica and the Baptistry were probably destroyed by the earthquake in 554.
Ancient Stadium
The stadium is rectangular and is 1,80 metres long Middle Ages Hora Pre earthquake Kos had the form of a typical city of the 18th and 19th century in the southeastern Aegean divided into districts. According to sourced of the time in the walled medieval city Hora., Jews and Greek orthodox mainly resided there. It was not unusual for wealthy Turkish or Greek families who lived in Hora to also
have a country home outside the walls, in the area of the Orange groves or they may have had a shop along the harbour. The exterior city has been transformed into districts which correspond to Christians, Jews and Muslims. The division of the residents of the island into districts, remained almost unchanged till the end of the 19th century till 1928, the period in which the first reconstructions of the big public buildings by the Italian conquerors. The destructive earthquake of 1933 flattened the city and gave the chance to the Italian administration for the reorganization of the city of Kos into a modern planned city incorporated the ancient sites which had been excavated. The plans which were used gave Kos the look of a metropolitan city of the East. Parts of this reconstruction is still visible today.Fortification of the Medieval City The fortification of Hora may have began in the last decades of the 14th century by the Great Magistro of Heredia Battalion and commander of Kos Schlegelholz so as to protect the medieval city from the attacks by the Sultan Bagiazit A’. It was completed in 1500 with the opening of the new commander’s Constanzo Operti moat which had a 16 metre width and length on the south side (todays Ippocrates street). On the exterior of the northern side there was a lake which is described in the official papers of the knight’s and other visitors. The wall consists of one of the simplest and oldest examples of defensive architecture by the Knights of the Dodecanese. Parts have been saved but the area which it surrounded is in the archaeological site of Ancient Agora.
The fortification was almost rectangular and was reinforced with bastions on the south south-west and north-east corner. The Northeastern side was not saved. This was where the command centre was until the 1926 earthquake. Today a large part of the southern side has been preserved where two small rectangular towers were saved. From the northern side only a small part was saved. It was part of the embankment of Platanos of Hippocrates, opposite the entrance of the Castle of Neratzia – today’s Finikon Street. On the western is the Forou Gate while the eastern side was destroyed. It had five gates, The Gate of the Sea in the eastern part, which wasn’t saved as were two other gates which opened towards the northern side: one towards the Castle of Neratzia and one towards the Sea. Both have been preserved. a)Gate of Forou: Monumental entrance on the eastern side of the perimeter wall of Hora, it had an ancient dressed stone masonary as a lintel and above this a semi-circle arch. b)The South East Gate: It’s situated in the eastern end of the southern fortification towards the sea. It’s on the embankment of the entrance, centrally situated and possibly used a second gate, it was found built into stone witht the emblem of the Great Magistrou De Heredia (1376 – 1396) of the Battalion under the command of Kos Schlegelhotz (1386 – 1412). On the top floor there were additions were made by the Turks. These consisted of a series of oblong openings and small arches.
Knightly Home - Home of Commander Francesco Sans (1514) It’s situated along Miaouli coast and was inside the perimeter wall of the Medieval city. It’s the only secular building of the Knight era in kos which was built in 1514 by the Commander of Kos Francesco Sans. It consists of two covered rectangular areas. Initially the main entrance was the western one (in Mesologgiou street). During the Turkish reign the building was used as a coffee shop and two windows were opened on the eastern side (in Akti Miaouli street) symmetrically with the western windows. The transformation of the eastern side was done during the Italian reign. It was reconstructed by the 4th department of the Byzantine and was used as an archaeological library and exhibition area. The walls were quite well taken care of with carved stones, sculpted cornices and archaeological materials. On the top and on the right from the southern entrance and the western side was a built in emblem of the Great Magistro Fabrizio Del Carretto and the emblem of the Commander Francesco Sans and the year was 1514.
St. John Prodromos or Naukliros It belongs to the type of temple which had a one room area covered with a three sided exterior arch and two entrances, one on the west side and one on the south side. The temple was dedicated to St John, protector of the Ioannites Knights and dates back to the 15th century. In the beginning of the 19th century, before the construction of St Nicholas church, it held the place of the Metropolis Temple for Hora.
In the middle of the 19th century the public of Kos chose Anastasio Platanista as head preservation and repair because the temple had suffered much damage even before the earthquake of 1933 and it was almost in ruins before the earthquake occurred in 1861. It seems the repairs which Platanista took over were never completed. Straight after the earthquake, excavation of Hora began. The rubble from approximately 400 houses was taken away and three of the nine churches of Hora were demolished. During the excavations of Hore carried out by the Italian Archaeological Mission, it was ascertained that it had been built over the sanctuary of Afrodite. In June 1943 it was decided to move the sanctuary to the north west part of Hora. This was considered a very important technical job for those days. During the reconstruction to complete the side walls and the construction of the chamber, soft stone from Kefalos was used. The completion was done in an alcove and a discreet ridge divided the tow sections. They made the chamber watertight using plumbing plaster. In 1947 the bishop of Kos, Emmanuel Karpathion, dedicated the church to a new latter day martyr St John Of Naukliro. After applying to the Mayor the bishop renamed the street leading to the church Nauklirou Street.
Temple of Mary Gorgopigi The first mention of this church is made in the A’ code of the Metropolis in 1693, where it is mentioned that ownership of the vineyards was shared by Mary Neohoritissa. The Bishop of Kos Emmanuel Karpathiou, mentions the name Goropigi: the title was changed to the more popular Gorgopigin. Today we use the name which means quick spring and shows that St Mary Gorgopigin will quickly do the bidding of the person who is asking for help. The church is a one chamber temple with a three sided arch on the exterior and two entrances, one in the middle of the south side and one in the middle of the west side. The chamber near the roof is slightly raised and is covered by carved stones with smaller stones used as well. The walls were made from old marble pieces and signs. The floor was made from red square clay blocks. In the centre of the main temple there is a marble tomb stone.
The main temple is divided by the Holy Podium with a wood carved temple of exquisite craftsmanship which dates to the 18th century. Inside, the walls of the temple have scenes depicted on them, mainly on the south wall of the main temple and the Arch of the Sanctuary. Two layers were found , one which dates to the 15th century and the other to the 16th century. It is believed that the walls can be attributed to the artist Nikoloaou who also painted the temple of the Hora Castle in Kalymnos and the temple of St Mary Kastrianon in Old Pyli. The illustrated part of the temple shows that the temple was built inside the walled area of the city at the beginning of the 15th century.
St. George According to the Metropolis records, the building was finished in 1882. It was located in the south eastern part of the archaeological area of the Agora. In the yard there was a temple of St George and the tombs of Dimostheni and Alexi Thimanaki. In 1772 during the reign of the Bishop Kallinikou, the temple was inside a vineyard and was surrounded by a wall. Owner of the temple was the church St Marina.From the beginning to the end of the 19th century the temple donated a lot of money to the Metropolis temple and it shows a lot of income. In 1892 it is built in the memory of Ekaterine daughter of Panteloglou wife of Alexiou Thimanaki.
The First School in Kos The Kos Bishop Emmaouel Karpathiou, after many years of research, concluded that at the end of 17th century beginning of the 18th century, very few people in Kos knew how to read and write. Those that did know were mainly priests who only knew the basics so as to be able to sign and perform duties. The chanters were monks from large monastries which had chares in Kos ( St Catherine of Sina, St Mary of Kikkou in Cyprus, St John Theologou in Patmos) and they had helped in teaching the basics. In 1773 the first public decision, after the initiative was taken by Archbishop Kallinikou, to open the first school. At the meeting which was held on the 20th October 1773 two committee members were elected, Mr Aslanis and Mr Stamatakis (codeA’ 206 – 207). At the meeting the first teacher was present. The monk Daniel, who was given the position of teacher by the Archbishop Kallinilou, and was also responsible for paying the rent.
Temple of St. Marys Katevatis It’s situated in the archaeological area of the Agora. It takes up the southern part and consists of six domed storerooms which are situated near the southern side of the area. It’s a single covered chamber area, and has a semi circle arch in the eastern area and an entrance in the middle of the western area. In the middle of the chamber on the roof there was a circular opening and according to tradition it was used for the easy access of the churchgoers. The temple was dedicated to St Mary of Kikkou and had shares in the Monastry of Kikkou in Cyprus. It was located in the surrounding area of the pre-earthquake Metropolis temple of St Nicholas.
Temple of St. Constantine and Eleni It was a single chamber covered by a roof with a semi circular arch in the eastern side and had an entrance on the west and south side. It was possibly built on the site of an older temple because foundations of a three sided arch on the eastern side were found.
