With its strong connections to medicine and abundance of historical sites, the island of Kos is the number one destination to brush up on your knowledge of medical history, there is simply no better place to do so than at the Hippocrates Garden and Cultural Center. Located just 20 minutes from both of Mark Warner’s Kos resorts, a trip to the Hippocrates Garden is a fun experience for the whole family. The close proximity of the Garden, the Helona Beach Resort and the Lakitira Beach Resort means that guests can visit Hippocrates Garden in the morning and be back at the resort in time for lunch or an afternoon activity.
Born on the island of Kos in the year 460BC, Hippocrates was a physician during the classical Greek period. Largely regarded as the founder of modern medicine, he started the Hippocratic School of Modern Medicine which revolutionised medicine and its teachings in ancient Greece and ultimately globally. Prior to the school’s creation, medicine had been largely associated with philosophy. Through his school, Hippocrates established medicine as a profession, distinct from the fields it had been traditionally associated with.
A fun family activity, Hippocrates Garden allows visitors to delve into the ancient Greeks way of life. Dedicated to the work of the ancient Greek doctor, the center is an exact replica of an ancient Greek settlement from the 5th century B.C during the time of Hippocrates. A great way for children and adults alike to brush up on their history, the interactive nature of Hippocrates Garden allows visitors to immerse themselves in the ancient Greeks way of life.
Consisting of an Oikos, Philosopher’s Arcade and the Dancing Satyr Theatre, all areas of Hippocrates Garden are open to the public. The traditional ancient Greek house, known as an Oikos, is a two-story building made of stone from the local area. The furniture is completely homemade in the traditional style while the rooms are replicas of the time with separate rooms for women and men.
After you have explored the buildings, be sure to spare some time to walk around the beautiful gardens. Home to wild herbs, ceder trees, vineyards and fruit trees; the rich land around the center is now a wildlife refuge. A peaceful place to relax, those interested in botany can also spend the time learning about biological agriculture and grape-growing.
The close proximity of Hippocrates Garden and Cultural Center to the Mark Warner resorts in Kos enables guests to visit the center easily, with little worries about making it back to the resort. The center is a great way for the whole family to learn about a very significant part of ancient Greek history as well as their traditional way of life.