One of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean got its no less wonderful name in honor of the beloved god Helios. In addition, it is also called the island of knights, because for a long time this corner of paradise belonged to the knights of the Order of St. John and the Knights Hospitaller, who created the most unique architecture of this fabulously beautiful land.
The real pearl of the Mediterranean is the island of Rhodes (Greece). Attractions (photos are presented in the article) attract many tourists from all over the world. Here you can see the most interesting archaeological treasures, which contain a unique history of ancient times, as well as unique natural beauties. The capital of the island of Rhodes has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The article provides information about the sights of Rhodes: photos and descriptions, a brief history and much more.
General information
The island of Rhodes is the fourth largest in Greece. Its location: the southeastern part of the territory of the state, in the Aegeansea. It is part of the Dodecanese Islands and is located 270 miles from Athens, the capital of Greece.
Rhodes is the most beautiful island of the Greek archipelago. You can fall in love with it from the first minutes of being on it. The wonderful and fertile land is washed by the waters of two seas - the Mediterranean and the Aegean. Travelers are attracted by a huge number of both natural and archaeological sights of Rhodes, which are worth seeing in order to feel the atmosphere of ancient times. The rich history of the island, filled with all sorts of legends and myths, is associated with the names of the greatest artists of the ancient era and famous rulers.
Interesting architectural structures of the past, keeping the richest history of these places, are located in all parts of the island - within the city of Rhodes and in small settlements scattered throughout the island. The sights of Rhodes (see photo in the article) provide unlimited opportunities for those tourists who are more fond of educational recreation. Although combining a beach holiday with excursions is quite an acceptable and convenient option for these places. Despite the rather rapidly developing tourism infrastructure, there are well-preserved architectural monuments from antiquity and the Middle Ages.
Rhodes City: sights of the old part
Introduction to the island usually begins with its capital. The city of Rhodes is located on its northern outskirts. Like many cities in Greece, it harmoniously combines ancient and modern architecture. However, its main feature is the unusual Gothic architecture, which is not entirely typical of Greece. The fabulous Old Town is located behind thick walls, and its palaces, castles and other ancient buildings are perfectly preserved to this day.
Its territory is divided into Collakio and Hora. Part of Collachio is the quarters of the knights. The old ancient buildings of the Street of the Knights (Hippoton), which crosses the city, keep the ancient secrets of the Knights Hospitaller. This historic street leads to the huge Castello Palace (Palace of the Grand Masters). Its interior halls are richly decorated with luxurious historical furniture and magnificent mosaics. There is also the Small Palace on the same street, and the building of the residences of knightly orders (eight in total). The first is decorated with the arms of the Masters.
Hora was mostly residential quarters. The sights of Rhodes in this part: Turkish baths, Orthodox churches and two mosques. All of this is still in effect.
More details about the Palace of the Grand Masters
This large structure is protected by massive battlements with round towers. The palace was built by the knights on the highest part of Rhodes. Here, in different eras, the Byzantine fortress and the Temple of Helios were located. For several centuries, the palace was a symbol of the power and authority of the Order of the Knights of St. John, but one day it fell under the onslaught of the Ottoman Empire. During the period of basing on the island of the combined Turkish, Egyptian and Algerian fleet (in the middle of the 19th century)there was a strong explosion of powder magazines, which significantly damaged the building. Then it was abandoned for almost a hundred years.
During the years of Italian rule in Rhodes, a new history of the palace began after its restoration using the preserved old drawings. This happened in 1937-1940. The palace at that time was intended for the summer residence of Mussolini, who had never been here. Today the Palace of the Grand Masters is a museum institution. This is one of the important and significant historical objects of Greece. Landmark of Rhodes (photo above) is very attractive.
Socrates Street
It is impossible to ignore in the Old Town and this street, which functions as the main shopping center. It is here that you can buy unusual and a wide variety of souvenirs, as well as just relax in a relaxed atmosphere with a cup of coffee in one of the cozy coffee houses of the city, called "Karakuzu". Its interiors are made in the style of the 19th century.
Museums
Acquaintance with the history and sights of Rhodes will be incomplete if you do not visit its museums, the largest of which is the Archaeological Museum, located in the former Hospital of the Knights. Opposite it is the Church of the Order of St. John. The museum presents a rich collection of exhibits, including the statue of Aphrodite of Rhodes. The Byzantine Museum is located in the Palace of the Magisters. Of interest to tourists are the Aquarium Museum, the Museum of Neo-Hellenistic Culture, and the Ethnographicmuseum.
New City
The sights of Rhodes (Greece), more modern, located in the northern part of the city, absorbed the unimaginable richness of cultures of all nations that existed on the island after the fall of the order of knights. In this regard, here you can see unusual buildings, the architecture of which perfectly combined Venetian, Arabic and Gothic styles. Also here you can find the remains of ancient buildings, which include the ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite in the southern part of Simis Square. The following are the main attractions of the city of Rhodes, located in its more modern part.
Ancient port
Sights of the island of Rhodes are numerous. One of the most fascinating is a walk to the ancient port (today the port of Mandraki). Where the famous Colossus stood, now there are sculptures of deer, installed on high pedestals.
At the port there is a fortress of St. Nicholas, which has a lighthouse. It was built at the expense of the Duke of Burgundy by one of the Grand Masters. It looks especially attractive in the evening with illumination. The fortress used to be called the Tower of Mills, as there were windmills nearby. Today they no longer fulfill their functions.
Existing 2 thousand years ago, the ancient port is very popular with tourists today. People come here to see with their own eyes that famous place where one of the famous seven wonders of the world, the Colossus of Rhodes, was once located. Deer statues represent a heraldicsymbol of the city of Rhodes.
Ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite
It is impossible to imagine the sights of Rhodes without this historical place. Not far from the port are the ruins of the temple. They testify to the former greatness of the building built in Paphos in honor of the goddess of love.
The Sanctuary of Aphrodite was founded in the XII century BC. Subsequently, after its construction, people from Egypt, Greece and Assyria annually came to this temple to take part in the mysteries (or aphrodisias). Their meaning was the intercourse of a woman with an unfamiliar man. After the adoption of Christianity, this tradition ceased to exist. The stones of the temple were later used to build factories. Now there are only ruins, next to which there is an exhibition with the finds of archaeologists discovered by them in Paphos.
Rhodes Aquarium
This place belongs to the modern attractions of Rhodes. In the 1930s of the XX century, a hydrobiological station was established on the territory of the northern part of Rhodes, the purpose of which was to observe and study the diverse marine fauna and flora.
Over the past years, this institution has been transformed into a museum. Its employees continue to conduct research work to this day. For tourists, the station-museum is mostly known as the Aquarium of Rhodes. Its exhibits feature a wide variety of fish, seals, turtles, molluscs and corals.
Acropolis of Rhodes
Impossible notmention this landmark of Greece. The island of Rhodes is also famous for Mount Smith, located in the southwestern part of the city. It houses the famous Acropolis of Rhodes. It should be noted that the mountain bears the name of the Admiral of Britain - William Sidney Smith, and the Acropolis of Rhodes has never performed any defensive functions. Mostly cultural and religious events were held here, as evidenced by the remains of an amphitheater, an ancient stadium and a gymnasium. Small fragments of temples that were built in honor of Apollo and Athena have also been preserved here.
Unfortunately, there are few antiquities of ancient times preserved here. Yes, and in the 1930s, some old buildings were reconstructed by the Italians, but as a result of this they lost their original appearance a little. Popular tourist sites of the Acropolis: a small Odeon theater, a stadium with single antique fragments, columns of the Temple of Apollo (the patron saint of the city of Rhodes). From the mountain itself, a magnificent panorama of the surroundings opens up.
Lindos
This unique attraction of the island of Rhodes once served as a reliable defense of the city. The Acropolis of Lindos is second only to the Athenian in its significance and size. The majestic walls, located on a huge rock, rise above the bay of St. Paul. A small path winding along the hill leads to the building from those very ancient times. Funny donkeys scurry along it today, carrying tourists to the Acropolis and back to the city.
At the entrance to the fortressthere is a bas-relief of an ancient Greek ship. Further inside you can see the columns of the Gallery, the Byzantine church of St. John and the famous residence of the Knights Hospitaller. Even deeper is the main religious building - the temple of Athena Lindia, built in the 4th century BC and dedicated to the patroness of the island. At the very foot of the Acropolis, there are stands carved into the rock and the stage of the ancient theater that have survived to this day.
Nature
Throughout Greece and in sunny Rhodes there are many noteworthy castles, churches, ancient ruins, small picturesque villages. Greece is also rich in wonderful natural attractions. Rhodes is no exception. The climate here is quite mild, and more than 300 days a year are sunny. Turquoise waves of the seas, wonderful sandy beaches, as well as lush and vibrant vegetation - all this allowed Rhodes to consolidate the glory of a paradise and a place blessed by the gods from ancient times. Below are the most remarkable natural corners of the island.
Kiss of two seas
On the green cape of Prasonisi (southern part of the island) you can admire a rare natural phenomenon called "Kiss of the Seas". At this point, the stormy waters of the Aegean meet the calm waters of the Mediterranean. Due to the different temperatures and shades of the waters, when they are mixed at high tide, an amazing magical spectacle is created. Above all, Prasonisi is a surfer's paradise as the place is always windy.
Butterfly Valley
To the natural attractions of the islandRhodes (Greece) also belongs to this fabulous valley, located 10 kilometers from the airport, near the village of Theologos. This unique natural park is a picturesque green valley with clean, cool lakes with wooden bridges built on them, as well as picturesque waterfalls.
This is a favorite place for millions of butterflies of various shapes and colors. They are attracted to this wonderful place by the aroma of the resin of centuries-old plane trees, the solitude and peace of the valley. The number of butterflies has been decreasing in recent years, but they are carefully protected here. You can only come here on foot, it is forbidden to make any noise here and you can’t even clap your hands, as any sounds frighten butterflies, which leads to their death.
Walking along the shaded paths gives you the opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet. Here, if you wish, you can dine in a small restaurant overlooking a beautiful waterfall. On the stone steps you can climb to the monastery of the Virgin Kalopetra.
Seven springs
The natural attractions of the island of Rhodes, the photos of which are presented in the article, are surprisingly picturesque. Not far from the village of Kolymbia, there is another natural park called Epta Piges (translated as “seven springs”). Here 7 underground keys are connected, forming a small beautiful lake with a waterfall. The place is surrounded by pine trees and green plane trees. Huge dragonflies fly over the water of the lake.
You can get to the reservoir through a narrow tunnel, about which there are many legends. For example, according to one of them, a man who passesthis dark tunnel with cool waters, 7 sins are released. Such a walk is more tempting for women. Walking through this 200-meter tunnel gives you the opportunity to look 10 years younger.
In closing
Many tourists who have visited the island of Rhodes believe that by relaxing here, you can get a lot of the most unforgettable pleasant experiences. For a quicker sightseeing of the city and its environs, it is best to rent a car, especially since there are plenty of interesting places here. Reviews of the sights of Rhodes are the most positive.
The resort is especially ideal for a relaxing family holiday. There are all possibilities for combining a holiday on a wonderful sunny beach with a car trip to numerous historical places. Here you can hold a beautiful wedding and celebrate any significant anniversary.
There is an opportunity to visit an ostrich farm on the island (near the Butterfly Valley), visit the bee museum (Pastida village), where you can buy not only fragrant honey, but also cosmetics made on its basis.
In the famous village of the best winemakers Embonas you can visit the wine festival. The trip to the neighboring island of Symi is also very exciting, where there are colorful, like toy houses. It is impossible to see all the interesting places of the island in one trip. So, there will be a reason to come back to this wonderful, paradise island.
