Exploring Worlds, Old & New

Showing the World to the World.

SEE RHODES

BACK TO RHODES.

Table of Contents: 
ANCIENT RHODES
SEE RHODES
NEARBY RHODES

Rhodes has so many things to see, where do you start?

See Rhodes for its medieval splendor, but don't miss the Greek sites.
The Acropolis of Lindos

If you arrive by ship, the first thing you see is the massive walls built by the Knights of Rhodes. You think the island is a medieval showcase. And you are right. The old town is impressive.

But the Greeks were here long before the Knights. There are several incredible examples of Greek architecture to be seen as well. It’s not better than the medieval, or less. Both are important. You need to see all of it.

(BACK TO TOP)

Ancient Sites.

Perhaps the best known Greek site on Rhodes is at the Acropolis of Lindos. And for a good reason. The Doric and Hellenistic Greek ruins are beautiful to see.

Dating from the 2nd century B.C.
The Hellenistic Stoa and staircase.

 

The views from here are non-obstructed.
At the top of the steps is the Doric temple.

 

There is no doubt why the Greeks chose this defensible spot.
The Doric Temple has a prime view.

If time allows, see it at night.

Sunrise at Lindos can be spectacular.
Lindos becomes magical at night.

In Rhodes town, there are some Greek ruins of a temple just inside the Gate of St Paul near the harbor. But the interesting Greek ruins in Rhodes town are on Monte Smith. The Acropolis of ancient Rhodes is also worth seeing.

The temple is always at the top of the city.
At the top of the Acropolis is the Sanctuary of Pythian Apollo, dating from the late fifth century B.C.

 

At the bottom of the city would be gathering areas and places for entertainment
The track and field stadium for entertainment.

 

It would later become a place for entertainment.
The Odeon was a place to share thoughts.

 

Another essential city on Rhodes was Kamiros. It follows the three-level plan of religious, residential and social at the bottom.

Unfortunately, old cities were prime sources for free building supplies.
Most of the Acropolis is gone, but the residential and social levels are visible.

 

This is the central hub of the city.
Coming from the harbor, visitors would arrive at the Agora.

As far as islands go, Rhodes has an impressive collection of ancient Greek structures. See Rhodes Greek heritage.

(BACK TO TOP)

 

Within the City Walls

The medieval Old City within Rhodes Town is the main attraction. There is a good reason for UNESCO to add The Medival City of Rhodes to its list of World Heritage Sites.
With the almost total destruction of the old one, it was easier to update another church.
The “new” Our Lady of the Castle Church is near the hospital.

 

There are wonderful nooks nad crannies to discover.
The middle tower of the D’Amboise gate.

 

The defenses had many layers to get through.
The Gate of St Antonios links d’Amboise with the palace.

 

In old days, the courtyard would be planted with medicinal herbs and flowers to cover the smell.
The courtyard of the Knights Hospital, now the museum.

 

The palace had to be built as a fort in case someone breached the city walls.
The courtyard of the Palace of the Grand Masters

 

The Jews on Rhodes have a history over 2000 years old
The Square of the Hebrew Martyrs is near the Gate of St Paul.

 

The Rest of the City.

It takes on a different feeling
The dramatic lighting of the medieval town at night

 

As old as it looks, many of the buildings in this area are less than 100 years old
Evangelismos Church

 

It was designed by an Italian architect in the 1930s
The Governor House has a Venetian flavor.

 

The Manstraki area design was to mix different styles of architecture to give it an older look. They succeed.

(BACK TO TOP)

The Island.

There is not much to the chapel and the hike is steep.
The Profitis Ilias Chapel, near Faliraki, offers impressive views.

 

All sites require sensible closed toed shoes
There are many ruins to explore, like the Medieval castle of Kritinia.

 

Cleobulus was a Greek poet and a native of Lindos. He is one of the Seven Sages of Greece.
A mill on the hike to the sage Kleoboulous’s tomb near Lindos

 

There is very little left of the castle but the views are reward enough.
The Castle of Monolithos requires some serious climbing.

 

Where there is vegetation, there is water. This is near a lake
The valleys in the middle of the island provide shady places to walk and hike.

 

A walk can give you a different perspective.
Kalopetra Monastery, in the Valley of Butterflies

 

Remains of the temple are still visible.
Filerimos is a 13th-century A.D. monastery on a 2nd-century B.C. Greek temple

See Rhodes

There is so much to see in Rhodes that you need several days to cover it all. The old town is fabulous, but there’s so much more.

(BACK TO TOP)

 

BACK TO RHODES

TASTE RHODES

BACK TO GREECE.