Location

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Technical University of Sofia
www.tu-sofia.bg

Universita degli Studi di Genova, Italy

CONFERENCE GUIDE

Conference Location. Our destination at a glance.

Kos Island (Homeland of Asclepios and Hippocrate) lies very close to the West Turkey and 201 nautical miles from Piraeus. It has an area of 290 sq. km., a coastline of 112 km. and a population of 20,000. Kos can be reached by air from Athens and Rhodes or by ferry from Piraeus, Rafina, the Cyclades, the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean, Kavala, Crete, Rhodes and the other islands of the Dodecanese. Kos was inhabited in prehistoric times. Around the 14th century BC, arrived in the islands the Minoans from Crete. A few centuries later, the Dorians started to arrive. Around 700 BC they built the ancient city of Kos, which together with Lindus, Cameirus, Ialysos on Rhodes, Cnidus and Halicarnassus in Asia Minor formed the so-called Dorian Hexapolis.

In the 5th century BC, Kos was taken by the Persians, but after their defeat in mainland Athenian League (479 BC). In 460 BC, Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, whose name is known throughout the world, since he was the founder of the first school of medicine, was born in Kos. After his death (357 BC), the people of Kos built the famous Asklepeion, in honour of the god Asklepios, which operated as a hospital, admitting thousands of patients from all over the Mediterranean and applying the methods of therapy taught by Hippocrates.

Alexander the Great took Kos in 336 BC and was succeeded on his death by the Ptolemies. During the Byzantine period it was again prosperous, but was subject to constant raids by enemies, of whom the most dangerous were the Saracens. In 1315, the Knights of St John of Rhodes, became masters of the island and about a century later began to build the great fortress which today stands at the entrance to the harbour and other fortifications. In 1522, the Turks conquered the island and they held for almost four centuries, until 1912, when the Italians took the island. Finally, Kos was incorporated into Greece in 1948.

Today, Kos is one of the most touristic places in Greece. The fact that the climate is mild most of the year, taken together with the long hours of sunshine, the vast beaches, the enormous historical interest and the attractiveness of the city of Kos have gradually raised the island to the level of an international tourist centre.

Here, you can find everything concerning tourist facilities, enjoyment and nightlife. Inspite the heavy development of Kos, you can also discover deserted places around the island and a more traditional way of life.

The ancient Greek god Asclepios, was worshiped in ancient times as a patron of health and healing. The cult of Asclepios originated on the island of Kos and gradually spread throughout the whole of Greece and Asia Minor. In the classic Hellenistic period, shrines to Asclepios could be found in many towns � around three hundred are known to date.
Temples to Asclepios � Asclepions � were always built on sites where sacred springs bubbled to the surface, the water of which was ascribed with the healing powers of the earth spirits. For this reason, it was believed that Asclepios influences the healing process of the sick through dreams, patients first bathed, drank the water from the spring and then slept in the temple complex. Treatment also included strict fasting, prayer and also dreaming.

The Asclepion on Kos

The most famous of all Asclepions is to be found 2 km from the eastern shore of the Greek island of Kos. Many important people of ancient times lived and worked here, among others, the father of medicine Hippocrates from Kos. A unique and well-preserved complex was discovered in 1902 by the German archaeologist Hertsok and the Greek Iakovos Zaraftis. The Asclepion is located in a green area filled with Cyprus trees on a hill with a magnificent view of the surrounding area. Thanks to the steep terrain, the Asclepion spreads out over four interconnected levels, the so-called Andira. The first is home to the ruins of a Roman building from the 1st century AD. The second, where a medical school was probably located, is famous above all thanks to its perfectly preserved temple arches and statues. The third level housed the temple of Asclepios dating back to the 4th century BC. The fourth level includes a large temple in the Dorian style around which were cells for the patients.

Exact Conference Place

The conference will be held at the Kipriotis Village of Kipriotis Hotels & KICC. Download this comprehensive guide to find out more about the conference venue and accommodation.

How to get there

By Air