Tree of Hippocrates, Kos

Name: Tree of Hippocrates
Address: Kos, Greece

#2 among attractions in Kos

Tree, Top attraction

Gallery (8)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Steven Fruitsmaak / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Kallerna / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / I, Sailko / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Michael Sch. / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Ad Meskens / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / National Institutes of Health (NIH) / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Stevenfruitsmaak / URL

Facts and practical information

The Tree of Hippocrates is a historical landmark nestled in the heart of Kos, Greece, known for its deep roots in both the literal and metaphorical sense. Tradition has it that Hippocrates, the father of medicine, once taught his pupils the art of healing beneath its branches. This tree, a plane tree (Platanus orientalis), is an emblem of the enduring legacy of medical knowledge and the rich cultural heritage of Kos.

Though the current tree is not the original under which Hippocrates sat, as plane trees do not live for over 2,000 years, it is said to be a descendant of the ancient one, thus maintaining the symbolic connection to the past. The Tree of Hippocrates stands in the center of Kos, near the Castle of Knights and the entrance to the Archaeological Museum, making it a prominent and easily accessible site for visitors.

The tree's impressive size, with a broad canopy and a trunk so wide that it is supported by scaffolding, makes it a unique spectacle. Tourists often gather around it to enjoy its shade and to capture a moment of their journey next to this living monument of science and history.

Local name: Πλάτανος του Ιπποκράτη Coordinates: 36°53'41"N, 27°17'28"E

Address

Kos Greece

Contact

Website

Social media

Add

Kos

Day trips

Tree of Hippocrates – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Asclepeion, Castle/Fortress of Neratzia.

2.3 miSW
Temple
Asclepeion, Kos
59 min walk • The Asclepeion of Kos is a testament to the ancient world's commitment to healing and medicine. Located on the Greek island of Kos, this ancient medical center honors Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. The ruins of this sanctuary stand as an evocative reminder of...
~560 ftNW
Forts and castles
Castle/Fortress of Neratzia, Kos
3 min walk • The castle of Kos, best known as the Castle of Nerantzia, is the most important part of the knightly fortification made by the Ioannite Knights in the late 14th century. At the end of the 14th and early 15th centuries, Kos was...