Kos is worldwide known as the island of Ippokratis. And this is natural since the most important teacher in medicine was born, live and teach in this island of Aegean sea.
But who is the man that established medicine?
Ippokratis was the son of Iraklidis - descendant of Asklipios – and Fenareti. His own father initiated him into medicine, as he was also a doctor. He had classical education and studied medicine in the Asklippiio of Kos. As a restive spirit he was, he toured around Greece and gained more knowledge. He started practicing with very good results. He became famous when he saved Athens from cholera epidemic.
With the tutor of Ippokratis, Asklippiio of Kos became famous in the entire ancient world.
Ippokratis turned medicine into a vocation and set the moral values that had to surround this science.
The vow of Ippokratis, which is internationally established, has these values and attitudes that every healer should have. That means capacity, responsibility, honesty, sanctity, integrity, taciturnity, respect towards human life and dignity.

THE PLATAN OF IPPOKRATIS
Ippokratis teached medicine under the shadow of a platan, which according to tradition plant himself. This age long platan is located in the homonym square of Platans, at the end of Kountourioti Shore and it is one of the most important sights in the town.
It is a huge, impressive tree of 2.400 years old! The perimeter of its trunk is over 12m. The age long branches, tired from the endless trip to time are held by pillars.
Tradition says that in this spot, under the shadow of Ippokratis’ platan, centuries later, apostle Paul teached about Christianity.