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Many ancient buildings have been found around this area, remnants of an age that testifies to the superiority and grandeur of ancient Greek art. These important finds were discovered after the great earthquake of 1933 when buildings which covered the area collapsed.
 The Ancient City Wall was built in the 4th century BC. It is 8 metres thick in certain places and stretches towards the east from the port entrance to the local government building and westward to the ancient agora. The east section of the wall was discovered where today's, Irodotus and Omiros Streets meet, suggesting that the ancient town of Kos was 4 kilometres in length.
 The Sanctuary of the 3rd century BC measures 12.5 x 9 metres and was built on a trapezoid landscape. A statue depicting a demigod and an inscription that was found brings us to the conclusion that the sanctuary was dedicated to Herakles (Hercules). Unfortunately only a sculpted lion's body remains.
 The Gallery of the 3rd, possibly 4th century BC consists of 5 restored pillars and it is believed that there were five connected halls which were next to the city wall. The Gallery displayed a statue of Marsyas hanging from a tree which was discovered after the earthquake of 469 AD. According to mythology Marsyas challenged Apollo to a flute contest and when he lost, Apollo had him flayed and hung from a tree. The statue is now kept in the museum.
The Basilica measures 73 x 23.5 metres. Built on the ruins of the ancient Gallery, it is the oldest remaining building and consists of 2 parts, the actual main basilica and the vestibule. The floor was covered with coloured marble. The ruins of a staircase leading to  a temple entrance hall have also survived the erosion of time. Remnants of a small sanctuary from the Hellenistic period can be seen as well as many Christian symbols, the site having being converted to a Church in Christian times and most probably dedicated to Saint George.
The Pandimos Aphrodite Sanctuary is adorned by Corinthian style marble columns 83 cm in diameter.
 The Ancient Agora (Market) is on the west side of the excavation. There are two re-erected columns which used to be part of a 152 metres long and 82 metres wide arcade which extended to Hippocrates Avenue. Remnants of two marble temples are clearly distinguishable. A mosaic from the 4th or 5th century AD depicting animals was also discovered and a Christian church was also built on the same site. |
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Dry -
mostly cloudy
- thunder; Cumulonimbus clouds observed |
| Temp.:
15.0°C | 59.0 °F
Hourly
Fluctuation (0.0 °C/hr)
Humidity: 76 %
Wind: 2 bft - SSW
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02:45 AM
(GMT+2) -
03/12/09 |
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