Some 163 islands are scattered in the South Aegean Sea, called Dodekanisa in Greek, which means “twelve islands”, deriving their name from the group of the twelve larger ones among them (the majority of the smaller ones are inhabited).
Situated in the eastern Aegean Sea is the largest of the islands both in land area and population, Rhodes, famous historically for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was a giant bronze statue that once stood in the harbor, but was destroyed in an earthquake in 224 BC. No trace of it remains today. Rhodes is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide due to its splendid natural beauties and rich history, combined with an excellent climate boasting the highest yearly average of sunny days in Europe. The walled medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site, with wonderful attractions like the Palace of the Grand Masters and the Governor’s Palace. Other historical sites on the island are the Acropolis of Lindos, the Acropolis of Rhodes and the Temple of Apollo.
The birthplace of the ancient physician Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, is the island of Kos, the second largest of the Dodecanese, only 4 kilometers away off the coast of Turkey. It is an island gifted with golden beaches, plenty of archaeological monuments and a landscape ideal for biking, hiking or mountain climbing. The main town and port of the island, also called Kos, is also the tourist and cultural center, with a medieval fortress at the entrance to its harbor. In the center of the town is the ancient Plane Tree of Hippocrates, a sort of temple where the physician is traditionally supposed to have taught. Near the city are the ruins of Asklepieion, where Hippocrates was taught medicine.