Asclepieion, Kos: The cradle of medical science

Despite the fact that several Asclepieia were encountered across the Greek world in antiquity – i.e. places of worship dedicated to Asclepius that also served as healing centres – it was specifically in the Asclepieion of Kos that scientific medicine was developed, thanks to Hippocrates and the medical school he founded here.

As the sanctuary is built on the slopes of a hill with an amazing sea view, surrounded by lush vegetation, it is not difficult to imagine how the landscape itself would have contributed to the healing process. The Asclepieion complex was built from the 4th to the 2nd century BC and operated until the 4th century AD. It stretches over three terraces, connected with imposing staircases. Organized in these terraces are the cult areas, such as the altar and temples dedicated to Asclepius and Apollo, rooms for the treatment and accommodation of patients, while in Roman times fountains with thermal waters, cisterns, latrines and baths were added as well.

At the beginning of the 2nd century BC, the Asclepieion came under the protection of King Eumenes II of Pergamon, when it acquired the monumental appearance it retains today. A grander and more imposing central staircase was constructed, leading to the upper terrace, at the centre of which a large Doric temple dedicated to Asclepius was erected – a replica of the Temple of Asclepius at Epidaurus.

The sanctuary flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, gaining renown throughout the Greek world, particularly after 242 BC, when the people of Kos secured official recognition of its asylia – the sanctuary’s protected status, granting it immunity from warfare and other hostile acts. It was also at this time that the Great Asclepieia was established, a festival featuring musical and athletic competitions in which participants from cities across the Greek world took part.

The search for the Asclepieion began as early as the late 19th century. In the 1930s, Italian archaeologists carried out extensive excavations and restored the monuments, giving the sanctuary much of the appearance it has today.