Kos is the second largest island in the Dodecanese, a string of islands close to Turkey. It has been settled since 3000 BC. What brought us here was one of Greece's most important Hellenistic sites: Asklepion.
Dedicated to the god of healing: Asklepios.
This is the most famous sanctuary, school and medical center.
The priests/doctors were practitioners of Hippocrates' famous methods.
There are three levels: each with a different purpose.
Lots of steps today.
The oldest portions date from the 4th century BC
But there are newer parts dating from Roman occupation.
It was such a peaceful spot with wonderful views, I could imagine coming there to recuperate from an illness, enjoy the baths and listen to the birds sing.
From this site we went into town to the Archaeological Museum where I took the photo of Askelpios above. It was a small museum but one thing that I learned was the amphora originated in this town. I never understood why they are pointed on the bottom but this display explains how they would be stored for shipping. Anything with a flat bottom could still tip in heavy seas but not the amphora in their resting spots.
Scenes from Kos Town.
This tree has a claim to fame. It's supposed to be Hippocrates' plane tree planted 2,400 years ago.
This tree is more like 700 years old and a descendant of the one planted eariler.
This mosque is undergoing renovations.
Ancient city ruins uncovered in a 1933 earthquake that destroyed much of this city.
The next stop will be Turkey.
6 comments:
All that antiquity reinforces that there is a whole element to Europe totally absent in the Americas. It sometimes seems that there is history on every corner.
...David, summed up what I was going to say!
And so much of that history is still in use.
So much history. It is unbelievable that so much has survived the centuries.
I am enjoying this armchair version of your trip! Lots of walking and stairs, so kudos to you for being able to do it all!
Marcia, thanks for another post on what looks like a wonderful trip back in time. It's amazing that so much history is centered in this location and on a future adventure we may also explore parts of Greece and will be sure to bring our walking poles too. And, now I know WHY an amphora is pointed on the bottom
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