The plane tree of Hippocrates is a famous oriental plane tree (Platanus orientalis) in the city of Kos, it is one of the most famous trees in the world. The tree is named after the ancient physician Hippocrates of Kos. According to legend, Hippocrates is said to have planted the tree and taught his pupils under the tree. If this was true, the tree would be older than 2400 years. Paul the Apostle is said to have preached under this tree some centuries later.
The plane tree of Hippocrates resides in the middle of the square Platía Platanoú (plane tree square) in front of the Loggia mosque and is surrounded by a wall with a railing. On the north side of this wall, an ancient sarcophagus was converted into a fountain during the reign of the Ottomans, an Arabic inscription describes the water as water of Hippocrates. On the south side opposite the Loggia Mosque (Gazi Hasan Paşa Mosque) is another Ottoman fountain house (Şadırvan) whose roof is supported by seven columns with Corinthian capitals, this collapsed during an Earthquake in 2017.
As the tree slowly began to die and the massive spreading branches were threatened to break off , some branches were supported with scaffolding in 1975 as a protective measure. In 1985, the plane tree was placed under protection as a natural monument. Offsprings or seed-derived offsprings of this particular tree have been planted on several continents, especially at numerous universities, such as, for example, the University of Yale.
Age of the plane tree of Hippocrates
Today's tree is estimated to be a maximum of 500 years. However, it is assumed that it is an offshoot of the original tree. An exact age determination is no longer possible due to the lack of heartwood.
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