Despite the fact that Kardamena is considered one of the ultra-modern resorts (thanks in large part to the variety of fashionable hotels, pristine beaches, and vibrant nightlife), there's a sense of history on vacation. And this feeling intensifies as you get closer to the historical center. Perhaps it is the fact that under the asphalt, at a depth of tens of meters, are the remains of the ancient city of Alasarna.
The main attractions of Kardamena (on the map they are located very close to each other) include the Temple of Apollo, the sanctuary of Hercules, the Roman amphitheater, and the ruins of medieval basilicas. Their photos should be in the possession of everyone who has visited the city.
The Maritime Museum is especially popular among tourists, where you can learn many interesting facts about the history of shipping and shipbuilding.
But still most of the sights of Ancient Greece are located outside of Kardamena - 10-30 km from the city (all of them can be reached by bus). We've compiled descriptions of some of them in Russian especially for you:
- Asklepion is a temple located 15 km from Kardamena. It owes its name to the ancient Greek god of medicine Asclepius. According to one version, it was here that Hippocrates was trained. The temple was used not only to serve the god, but also for medical research. Local priests implemented new developments of Hippocrates, so it was mainly those who practically lost hope for cure who came here. Over time, such temples-medical centers appeared in all corners of Greece, but Asklepion on the island of Kos was considered to be one of the most important. It costs 4 EUR to visit the temple.
Did you know that the main "trick" of Hippocrates' method was testing with snakes? During twenty-four hours the patient was locked in a room with "creeping things", and in the morning he told the priests his dream in details, and only after that the treatment was prescribed: baths, breathing and gymnastic exercises, medicinal decoctions, rubbing ointments.
- Paleo Pili is a medieval settlement located 7km from Cardamena on the edge of a cliff. It was once the site of a Byzantine fortress, the island's main guard post. Until today, only ruins remain of the majestic stronghold. In addition to the ruined fortress, in Paleo Pili you can see the remains of medieval houses, the ancient columns of the Temple of Demeter, the church of Panagia Iapapanti, founded in the XI century, the church of St. Michael and Gabriel Archangels.
- Agora is an ancient marketplace located in the historical center of Kos. It is also home to the temples of Heracles and Aphrodite and the Forum Gallery. Interestingly, until 1933, the Agora was buried deep underground, and if it hadn't been for a massive earthquake, we might never have seen it.
- Fortress of the Knights of Ionites (Kos) - another defense structure of the island, built in the XV century. In 1816, the explosion of a gunpowder depot almost destroyed the fortress, but in the mid-20th century, Italian archaeologists managed to restore it to its former splendor. Since 1948, the structure has been protected by UNESCO.
