Rhodes island

General info:
Rhodes belongs to the Dodecanese island cluster and is located near the Minor Asia coast. It covers some 1,4000 square km and has a population of some 117,000 residents.

Endowed with uncountable natural beauties and with an excellent mild climate, with splendid beaches and with a   long history, Rhodes is one of the most visited and celebrated Greek islands.

Its terrain, mainly semi-mountainous is covered at a great extent by dense forests, fertile valleys, smooth plains, areas in which wild orchids, cyclamens and wild flowers are blossomed. The famed valley of the butterflies, wonderful lakes and springs,  protected biotopes that shelter rare species of flora and fauna compose the gorgeous scenery of Rhodes.

Scattered around the island its renowned cosmopolitan resorts, peaceful traditional  villages, ancient ruins,  medieval citadels and historical monuments create the beguiling picture of this island. 

Rhodes has been characterized as “the island of the sun” and the “Island of the Knights”(for its  impressive monuments of the medieval era), and it breathes an aura of elegancy, romantism and liveliness. Offering innumerable choices for any type of holidays, it is of no wonder that it is an international pole of attraction neither that it has developed a highly organized tourist industry. 

Neighbouring islands to Rhodes are Halki, Symi, Tilos and Karpathos.

Historical profile:

According to mythology, when the Olympian gods defeated the Giants, they shared the land of the earth. In that distribution they didn’t include however the god Helios (“Sun”) who was absent at that time and in   order to compensate him they emerged from the sea bottom and gave to him the island of Rhodes.

Historically speaking and according to excavation finds, the island has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age probably by the Carians, while it was flourished during the Bronze and the Mycenaean Times. Important finds from that time have been uncovered at the archeological sites of  Ialyssos (Ialysos) and Kamiros (Kameiros). In later centuries the Dorians colonized the island and founded three city-states; Ialysos, Kamiros and Lindos  and they started to expand in Sicily and the coasts of the Minor Asia establishing important colonies. In the 6th century BC Rhodes was greatly flourished in all levels under the political guidance of Kleovoulos, who was among the seven wise men of the antiquity.
In 408 BC the city of Rhodes was found and soon became a significant economic centre exerting power to the known world and also an important cultural one with all kinds of arts to display a remarkable flourishing. It was at that time that the famous Colossus, a bronze sculpture depicted the god Helios, and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was created. In 340 BC, the Persians took over Rhodes which in 332 BC it became part of the Macedonian Empire. The Rhodians developed relations with Rome, yet in 43 BC the island suffered a great destruction by Cassius for not help him after he assassinated Julius Caesar. This together with a devastating  earthquake in 155   led to the decline of the island.
In the decades followed Rhodes was a permanent target of Arabs, Saracens and pirates raids.

In the 11th century Rhodes established commercial relations with Western Europe and mainly with Venetians. It was under their government from 1204 to 1246 while in 1309 it was ruled by the Genovese.   Rhodes came under the authority of the Knights of St. John in 1309 and became anew a powerful island until 1522 when the Ottomans occupied it. The Turkish occupation lasted until 1912 when the Italians dominated the island. Rhodes was united with the rest of Greece in 1948.

Villages:

 The city of Rhodes is the  capital of the island and it is considered as one of the enchanting in the whole Europe.

Grandiose, romantic and cosmopolitan at the same time, the town is an amalgam of modern buildings, medieval edifices, wonderful neoclassical mansions, byzantine churches and mosques, picturesque squares and green alleys, elaborated fountains and statues. It is also quite a lively town with plenty of cultural events frequently organized, offering an exciting nightlife, countless shops of any kind and a plethora of choices for exploration during daytime.

The Old (Medieval) Town of Rhodes, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, receives plenty of visitors each year, since it is unique in Europe and probably in the whole world. Built by the Knights of St. John and enclosed by impressive walls, the city is remarkably well-preserved and alive, since it is still inhabited by some 6,000 residents. Spectacular Gates lead to the interior of the old city that is divided in two sections; the Knights’ Quarter or Kollakio(or Castello)where the internal fortress of the Knights Is standing ; Chora and the Jewish Quarter. The place of the Grand Masters that today serves as a Museum, the Avenue of the Knights in which their residents can be seen, the ruins of the 3 rd  –century Temple of Aphrodite, the Archaeological Museum housed in the Knights’ hospital with fine collection from all historical eras and the Mosque of Suleiman, are only few of the most worth-seeing found in the Old Town. Equally worth-visiting is the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Rhodes, located at the southern part of the New city and on the top of the Monte Smith Hill. It was built around the 2nd century BC., and today the visitor can see ruins of the Odeon, of the stadium as well as remnants of the Temple of Pynthian Apollo and  of the Athena Poliados.

History and art lovers can initiated themselves to the island’s history and culture by visiting the Byzantine Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Folk Art Museum, the Public Art Gallery and the Modern Art Museum.

Faliraki is situated 15 km approximately south to the capital and it is considered as one of the most popular for its spectacular and well-organized beaches, its intense nightlife, its cosmopolitan atmosphere and also for its Water Park, the largest in Europe in which a plethora of water games and sports are offered for all ages.  In the surrounding area worth-seeing sites are the remains of the acropolis of Sarandapihos, and the Cave of Kalamonias in which finds of great archaeological value have been discovered.

Ialysos (Ialyssos) is located some 10 km southwest to the capital. Surrounded by a lush valley, it is a lively popular town, both for its   splendid beach and for the ruins of the once powerful ancient homonymous city. Excavations have brought to light remnants of the ancient Acropolis, of the Temple of Athena Poliados (Polias) and of a byzantine fortification among others. In the surrounding area, the medieval monastery and the temple dating back to the Knight period are also worth-seeing.

Some 45 km south to the capital lies off Lindos, one of the most popular resorts of Rhodes. Its traditional whitewashed houses clinging on the slopes of a hill which is crowned by the ancient acropolis, create a beguiling atmosphere. The harmonious blend of various architectural elements from the Byzantine, medieval and traditional culture combined with the absence of vehicle since their access to the village is forbidden, the narrow paved alleys, the picturesque squares and the charming blooming neighbourhoods intensify the unique identity of Lindos.
In the site of acropolis ruins of the Temple of Athena the Lyndia, of the ancient theatre the Hellenistic stoa with impressive columns and the byzantine and medieval fortifications attract plenty of visitors.
Lindos offers many accommodation facilities and choices for entertainment as well as wonderful sandy beaches.

The remnants of the ancient city of Kamiros (Kameiros) situated some 35 km south to the capital is another major pole of attraction, for here stand the ruins of the Temple of Athena, a 3rd-century Stoa and an remarkably  preserved Hellenistic houses. Don’t; fail also to visit the famed Valley of the Butterflies. It is a Natural Park found in a green valley divided by a small river and adorned by pine trees and amazing wild flowers that attract thousands of butterflies.

Beaches:

Rhodes is renowned for encompassing in its coastline of some 220 km, a great number of fabulous beaches of all kinds and for all tastes. Busy organized beaches, peaceful ones, near lively resorts or close to tranquil fishing villages offer a variety of choices for exploration.

Among the most popular ones, are the  beach of Faliraki, a highly organized sandy one that is found in a great scenery and it is ideal for water sports, the  Lindos beach at the homonymous town, with  smooth sand and crystal clear waters.
If you prefer organized yet less crowded beaches, the one  of Tsambica,   an organized sandy beach with sparkling waters, the beach of Kolymbia , with sand and pebbles and with crystalline waters,  the beach of Agathi,  a family-friendly one due to its clear shallow waters and the Kalathos  beach with  soft sand and splendid waters will definitely satisfy you.

Equally ideal for enjoying the peace of nature are the beach of Prasonisi (PrassonissI)  the Traganou beach, with thick peoples and crystalline waters, (organized only at a small extend) and the beach of Afandou, a mixture of sand and small pebbles and clear waters.

Access:
Rhodes  is connected directly by scheduled trips with the port of Piraeus,of Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli.

There is also regular connection with the rest Dodecanese  islands, and with Skiathos, Skopelos, Mykonos, Paros, Tinos, Naxos, Syros, Amorgos, Ios, Santorini, Chios, Lesvos and Samos.

The island is also linked via regular flights with the International Airport of Athens, and with the Airports of Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Thessaloniki, Karpathos, Kasos and Kastelorizo.