A cycling tour in Kos town
You shouldn’t miss:
Freedom Square (as the name translates) is the ideal place to start your tour, not only because it’s at the heart of Kos town but because you will literally be surrounded by the historical and cultural influences of the island.
The Roman Odeon
No Roman occupation was complete without its public entertainment area and the Odeon of Kos would have been particularly atmospheric in ancient times. Dating from the 2nd century AD, the outer five rows are the original granite seats and there are a further nine restored rows above an intimate stage used for musical performances and other events.
Neratzia Castle
You fast forward to the 14th and 15th centuries and the time of the Knights of St John as you reach Kos’ medieval castle. Cycling down the aptly named Finikon (Palm Tree) Avenue, you pass through one of the arches of a bridge leading to the castle, built on an area of land that used to be an island.
The Plane Tree of Hippocrates
Just past the castle, you reach the spot where Hippocrates lectured to his students two-and-half millennia ago, under the shade of a plane tree that he planted. The tree you see today is around 500 years old, giving you the perfect ambience to contemplate the extraordinary influence of the man who understood the health benefits of herbs and plants, at a time when people believed that illnesses were governed by the gods.
Kos’ Ancient Agora was not just a marketplace but also contained temples, baths and houses. The remains go back to the 5th century BC, but also contain more recent structures, such as a Christian basilica. A shrine to Aphrodite has been excavated, as well as parts of mosaic floors found in houses.