This archaeological site that is one of the biggest of the Aegean came to light after the destructive earthquakes of 1933 leveled many town blocks of the old “capital” of Kos. If you walk through the site you’ll get to see the street layout of the ancient city, public buildings, shrines, private houses, the agora and parts of the ancient port facilities. The remnants of the Arcade that was built during the 4th or the 3rd century BC stand out. The Arcade was divided in five consecutive chambers adjoining the walls. A small statue of Marsyas was found here. You’ll see the shrine of Hercules next, that was built on a small mound during the Hellenistic period. Its dimensions are 12,5m by 9m. Mosaics of the 3rd century BC with depictions of fishing and a banquet that Orpheus and Hercules attended were discovered on the floor of the rooms next to the shrine.
The temple of Aphrodite Pontia and Pandemos, which was also built on a mound, used to stand at the entrance of the ancient port. Some of its column drums still exist today. The temple had a dual role, as it was dedicated to two aspects of the goddess: to the protector of the people and to the protector of marriage. The agora of the ancient town that is located at the western part of the archaeological site was one of the biggest of the ancient world. The dimensions of its central building alone were 162m by 82m. It was situated at the center of a courtyard with colonnades that had a monumental entrance at its northern side and shops at the end of its eastern side.
WESTERN EXCAVATION AREA
Extensive excavations in various parts of the western quarters of the modern town led to the discovery of the “Thermae of the port”, at the corner of Omirou and Irodotou Street, the “Thermae of the 4th or 3rd century BC” at 31st Martiou Street, that include mosaics and enlightening ancient inscriptions, and a sports stadium of the 2nd century that used to be connected to the sport facilities of Xysto.
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