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 At first sight of the harbour and the city of Rhodes, one cannot help but be overwhelmed by a feeling of admiration for the beauty and harmony of the spectacle. With the Medieval buildings demanding attention in the background, the impregnable walls embracing the streets, full of memories from the past when the Colossus dwarfed every other building in the area, Rhodes is accurately described as the most beautiful city in the Mediterranean. This fairy-tale city with its Byzantine-Medieval castle, narrow lanes, Byzantine churches, and buildings of th e Ioannite Knights, inspires a sense of awe. Strolling around here gives one the impression that one is in the heart of the cosmopolitan centre of the past, when Rhodes was a cross-road for civilisations with imprinted cultural influences and yet managed to retain its own 'personality'.
 Rhodes city is divided into the new city and the old medieval town. The new city begins at the harbour and ends in Rodini at the old acropolis. The entrance of the ancient harbour, today's Mandraki, is embellished by the statues of Elafos and Elafina, the male and female deer. A long stretch of rock with three old windmills and the tower of Aghios Nikolaos protects the harbour from the winds of the Aegean. The area around Mandraki is beautified by the buildings of new colonial and Italian styles, the new market, the courthouse and the town hall. The church of Evangelistria built in Gothic style is also quite impressive. At the northernmost point of the city is the aquarium with 24 tanks, in which tropical and other various species of fish and aquatic life of the Greek seas can be seen.
 The walls of the medieval town are decorated with bucklers, Byzantine and Frankish reliefs, gates and bastions which establish it as a unique example of defensive architecture. The medieval town was divided into two sections, the south section and the Chora (town) in which Greeks, Franks and a Jewish community lived under the rule of the Knights of Saint John. The northern part was separated from the rest of the old town by an inner wall so as to be able to isolate it if necessary. This part of the town is called Kollakio and it is here that the quarters of the knights were situated.
 Entering the old town from the 'Gate of Freedom' near the market, one meets Symi Square where the ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite can be found. Wandering around the alleys of the old town, one is transported into the past, as old buildings with high walls, banister openings, coats of arms, reliefs, iron lanterns and stone pave alleys act like a time machine. The old town is truly one huge monument that no description could ever do it any justice. One just has to go and see it to believe it.
 The Knights of the Order of Saint John (Ioannite Knights) built separate quarters in the town for each nationality that formed the order. First is the quarter of Auvergne. Further on is the street of the Knights which has mansions (the knight's quarters) on either side built in Gothic style with coats of arms and grand outer doors. At Kollakio, the fortified Palace of the Grand Master (Kastello) dominates, a 14th century AD castle within a castle. Th e old building was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in1856 and was rebuilt by the Italians in 1939 following the old plan. The fact that the site was never explored for artefacts has been considered as a major fault of the Italians by archeologists as this was reputedly the site of the famous ancient sanctuary of the sun god Apollo. Near Kastello one can see the clock tower and Souleiman's Mosque, a remnant from the occupation of the Turks. It is here at Socrates Street that the medieval town's commercial street begins and ends at Hippocrates' Square. Close by is the Square of the Jewish Martyrs (dedicated by the Rhodians to the Jewish co mmunity that was wiped out by the Nazi Germans) and it is decorated by a beautiful monument of three bronze sea-horses.
Besides strolling around the island, it is worth discovering the history of the island as it is presented in Archeological Museum, the Byzantine Museum, the Folk Art Museum and the Art Gallery.
 Above the old town is the hill of Aghios Stefanos, also known as Monte Smith. Here is the ancient acropolis where one can see the ruins of the temples, the stadium dating back to the 2nd century BC and the theatre.
A few kilometres outside the town in the area called Rodini, nature is depicted in all its majesty with rich vegetation and running waters. According to legend, the Athenian orator Aeschines founded his school here.
One can get to know Rhodes by following one of two routes of the coastal road that encircles the island. The first stretch is along the eastern coast as far as Cattavia, crossing highland villages, archeological sites and the most frequented tourist areas of Rhodes. Leaving the city towards Ixia, with luxurious hotel complexes stretching all along the shore, one reaches Ialysos or Trianta. Ialysos has always been the area preferred by the locals for their holidays, mainly due to its cooler climate. On its endless beach there are plenty of refreshment stands and the usual tourist comforts. The Ialysia festival is held here each August, with traditional dances and many other events in which young people from Greece and abroad take part.
 From the village of Trianta one climbs up the hill of Philerimo, where hermits used to live in caves during the middle ages. It is here that the acropolis of ancient Ialysos was found, one of the three main cities of ancient Rhodes. Among the ruins, one can distinguish the foundations of Hellenistic Temples dedicated to the Poliean Zeus and Athena. The church of Panagia Philerimou is also worth visiting. It was built in the 15th century AD by the Ioannite Knights on the site of the old Byzantine Basilica of the 9th century AD. It is impressive to see the road of Golgothas with its many stairs and the sufferings of Christ depicted on vertical paved stone on both sides of each large step.
Immediately after, one meets the village of Kremasti with its famous church of Panagia and the village of Paradeisi. Here the villagers have not engaged completely in the tourism trade and looking after their gardens is a major priority. The beach in this area is wide, with coarse sand in some parts and pebbles in others but there are trees all along the beach almost touching the water.
 The next stop is the famous Valley of the Butterflies lying next to the village of Theologos. In this green-filled valley with artificial bridges and steps made to assist one's walk, thousands upon thousands of butterflies nestle everywhere. The slightest movement causes them to rise up in unison, covering the sun with their coloured wings and offering one of the most unforgettable experiences.
A cross-road outside the village of Kalavarda leads one to Salako in a forested area halfway up the mountain of Profiti Ilias. On top of the hill among the cypress trees is the hidden monastery of Profiti Ilias. There are also several mansions built in Tyrolese style during the Italian Occupation. It is in this specific area the the ancient Rhodians chose to build the city of Kamiros, one of the three Doric cities on the island. The ruins of ancient Kamiros were excavated in 1929.
Mountainous Ebonas is considered to be one of Rhodes' most beautiful villages with exquisitely decorated houses and a rich production of wine, vegetables and olive oil. Its inhabitants together with those of Cretenia are the descendants of the Cretan King Minos' grandson and still keep their Cretan heritage and traditions. Above the village on the peak of the mountain, one can see the ruins of the sanctuary of Zeus and also get a splendid bird's eye view of Rhodes and the surrounding islands. Another traditional village is Monolithos, just a short distance from the 15th century AD Venetian castle overlooking the sea.
The agricultural village of Cattavia at the antipode of Rhodes has a great tradition in materials and the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. From here starts the road to one of the most fantastic beaches on Rhodes, namely Prasonisi, an ideal beach for kite and windsurfing. On the southern side of Rhodes, which is also the most isolated part, one discovers deserted beaches and serene little villages.
 The spellbinding village of Lindos clings to the rocks with its white-washed little houses and blooming gardens. According to the history, it was at the harbour of Lindos that the Apostle Paul was washed up after the sinking of the ship he was traveling on.
 The acropolis stands tall and proud on the hill above. Small donkeys patiently walk the route dozens of times a day all the way to the Acropolis transporting tourists back and forth. Lindos was one of the three city states on the island of ancient Rhodes and the most important during antiquity. The castle of the middle ages and the fortress of ancient times with their many temples and sanctuaries co-exist harmoniously on the top of the hill. At the beginning of the steps one can see a galley from the Hellenistic period carved on the rock. As one passes the central entrance, one can see ruins from the castle of the knights as well as from the Byzantine church of Aghios Ioannis. The big Hellenistic arcade and the remains of the Lindian Temple of Athena are the most discerning and impressive in the acropolis.
 At the frequented beach of Lindos, one finds tavernas and water sport facilities while small boats await to transport people to other nearby beaches such as the sandy beach of Aghia Agathi and Vlicha. Between Lindos and the large village of Archangelos is the castle of Faraklos with a great tradition in pottery and traditional carpets. This castle was also built by the knights and was one of the strongest in Rhodes.
Epta Pyges (seven springs) is one of the island's coolest areas with waters forming both a lake and a waterfall at Kolimbia. On the hill overlooking the beach one can visit the monastery of Panagia Tsambika with its fantastic view of the sea. There is a cave to be seen on the hill of Kouvelos which is of great archeological interest.
Moving on one meets the village with the peculiar name of Afantou (vanished), a name it got from its hidden position. chosen to avoid hostile attacks. The wooden houses contrast the modernised beach front which blend together to offer a spectacular view. Near the village and on top of the foundations of an early Christian Basilica is the Church of Panagia Katholiki.
Faliraki with its fabulous bays and tourist installations is considered as one of the most important holiday resorts of Rhodes. Neighbouring Kalithea, known previously for its spas which unfortunately no longer function is built in a beautiful and natural bay and is surrounded by pine and palm trees.
At this point one has basically come full circle and is near the capital of Rhodes again. So far only the main coastal villages have been mentioned but this does not mean that all those not mentioned are less beautiful and not worth seeing, especially the highland villages in the interior of the island where traditions and customs are still very much alive. We'll leave that up to you and your sense of adventure to discover the unknown treasures of Rhodes. |
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Dry -
mostly cloudy
- thunder; Cumulonimbus clouds observed |
| Temp.:
15.0°C | 59.0 °F
Hourly
Fluctuation (0.0 °C/hr)
Humidity: 76 %
Wind: 2 bft - SSW
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02:45 AM
(GMT+2) -
03/12/09 |
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