The island of Rhodes has a rich history spanning over 10,000 years. It was one of the most important commercial ports in the ancient times. To give you an idea of the importance of Rhodes, Rhodes was the 5th largest (by population) city in Europe in 230BC. It has been ruled by Hellenistic (Minoan Greeks, Mycenaean Greek) civilisations, Romans, Knights Hospitallier, Ottomans and Italians. Each era has left their mark. It is a perfect destination for history buffs.
Medieval Town
The medieval town of Rhodes is one of the rare survivors of the medieval world. Exploring the streets and alleys of the town will travel you back to the time the town was ruled by the 'warrior monks', the Knights Hospitaller of St. John. Don't be afraid to get lost in the alleys.
Acropolis of Lindos
The acropolis of Lindos stands tall at 116m above sea level which offer you magnificent views from the top. On the summit you'll be able to see the ruins of the goddess Athena Lindia temple which dates back to the 4th century BC as well as the Propylaia and the Hellenistic Stoa. There is also a Byzantine era chapel of Saint John. The outer fortress walls were built by the Knights of St. John as they used Lindos to guard the island together with 3 other fortresses.
Kamiros
Kamiros is an ancient city on the western side of the island. The city itself was founded by the Dorians at least 8th century BC while the area was inhabited by Mycenaean Greeks before that. The city was destroyed twice by earthquakes but the remains are still awe-inspiring.
Monolithos
The castle was built in 1480 by the knights of St. John to protect the island from attacks. Only few ruins remain but as it is built on a high rock it offers amazing views down the lushy green slopes ending in the deep blue Aegean sea. It was built under the order of Grand Master D'Aubusson after overcoming the logistic difficulties to transport materials on the rocky outcrop. It was one of the most important fortifications of Rhodes due to its strategic location that allowed a clear view over the surrounding waters. The challenging accessibility made it difficult to enemies and in fact it was never conquered. The views from the castle over the Aegean sea makes it a site definitely worth visiting.
Kritinia
The castle of Kritinia is a Venetian castle built in the 16th century on a hill 131m above the village of Kritinia. From the castle you will have a stunning bird-eye's view over the islets of Halki, Alimia Strogyli and Makri. The location was strategically chosen as it offered a vast view of possible enemies such as the pirates.
Comentarios