In Rhodes, time stops. Monuments that confess the rich history spread across the island and seduce visitors to travel in time and space with their imagination. Here, the transition from antiquity to medieval times and from Byzantium to the modern era is present and indelible.
The Medieval City
The magical Medieval City of Rhodes is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe and has been characterized as a Monument of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1988. The city’s unique architecture is a mix of medieval, ottoman and Italian characteristics combined with local Aegean designs. Visitors can experience a breathtaking tour around the city, delighted by the magnificent castle of the Grand Master upon the hill and the road of the Knights that takes them to another, old and forgotten era, perfectly preserved here. The wall that “runs” around the city is almost 4 kilometers long.
The Acropolis of Rhodes
Turning back time once again, across the medieval city, on the other side of the island lies the Acropolis of Rhodes. The archaeological park is ideal for walks and tours in nature and the glorious remains of temples and buildings. On the top of the hill, visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of the city, the Ancient Temple of Apollo and the impressive marble Theatre of Diagoras. Concerts and theatrical plays are often hosted there, just like in the ancient times, offering a unique, mystical experience.
Lindos
The traditional village of Lindos on the southeastern side of the island has an authentic Greek personality with ancient but also more recent traditional characteristics. Cobbled streets, white houses and impressive wall paintings compose a picturesque village. The traditional houses with their heavy wooden doors and stone surroundings are a perfect sample of the architecture of 16th-18th century.
On a tall hill, lies the Acropolis of Lindos, majestic and impressive. Visitors can reach the top either on foot, or on the traditional “Lindos Taxi” donkeys!
Ialysos
The ancient city of Ialysos is built around the Filerimos hill. In Ialysos, architectural characteristics of the ancient, Byzantine and medieval period can be spotted. The Ancient Acropolis is located at the top of the hill along with the medieval monastery of Filerimos. Visitors can walk a “Golgotha”, a tree-sheltered path with a series of shrines with the twelve scenes of the Passion. At the end of the path that the Latin priests built, they can admire an enormous imposing cross and the outstanding view of Rhodes’ various villages.
Kamiros
The smallest of the three ancient cities of Rhodes, is located on the west side of the island. From the Archaic until the Hellenistic period Kamiros was an important commercial center, although its main wealth came from agriculture. Kamiros had a more conservative identity and preserved its agricultural character, while the architecture that we can distinguish is an exquisite sample of the Hellenistic period. Furthermore, the Monastery of Our Lady is located a couple of kilometers away from the ancient city, where in the 3rd century B.C. the temple of Athena was located.
Monolithos Castle
This medieval castle is located at the top of a steep rock and was built in the 14th century by Knights in order to protect the villages from pirate attacks. The huge rock gave the village its name, and on the top of it, visitors can be delighted by the amazing view and admire the artistic wall paintings of Saint Panteleimonas and Saint George churches.
Museums
Rhodes is full of museums, as anyone would expect, due to its rich and long history. Most of them are located in the Medieval City, such as the Archaeological Museum, the Byzantine Museum, the Rodian House, the Municipal Art Gallery etc. Also, for those who love nature, Rhodes has its own Aquarium, as well as a Bee museum and a Paleontological and mineralogical museum.
