Rhodes is an old town that you can visit. Rhodes: interesting facts about the medieval city. Acropolis in Lindos

The island of Rhodes, like the goddess of beauty and love Aphrodite, emerged from the depths of the sea, washed by foamy waves. It was a gift from Zeus to the sun god Helios after the victory of the Gods over the Titans. Helios named the island in honor of his beloved - the nymph Rhodes and does not get tired of admiring it to this day. That is why almost all days of the year are sunny on the island! So says the legend.

O. Rhodes is one of the largest Greek islands and one of the most popular among tourists. It is located quite far from mainland Greece and is adjacent to Turkey: the strait of the same name that separates the island from Turkey is only 37 km wide. O. Rhodes has been inhabited by people for more than 9000 years and the historical part of the capital of the island - the city of Rhodes is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

The climate in Rhodes is mild - the average annual temperature is 18-20°C, in summer - 27-29°C, the heat is always softened by the northeast wind. Rhodes is 1-2°C cooler in summer than the popular mainland resorts. Rains in the summer are rare, but in the winter months it rains every 2-3 days.

The best time to visit the island is from late August to early October, when there are fewer tourists and the sea is still warm, like in summer. The beaches are located along the entire perimeter of the island, most of them are sandy, but there are also pebble ones.

The capital of the island - the city of Rhodes - is a city of knights, medieval castles, impregnable fortress walls and high towers shrouded in secrets, and besides, it was here that the Ear of Rhodes was once erected - a giant statue of the god Helios, about 36 m high. (For comparison, the height of the statue "Motherland" in Volgograd without a sword - 52 m.)

Attractions

The main routes of the traveler in the capital of the island will pass through the Old Town, along its original cobbled streets, along the ancient fortress walls and high towers where the Middle Ages and chivalry intersect with ancient Greek monuments and ancient Ottoman mosques.

An incredibly powerful defensive structure with a total length of walls of about 4 km, which still impresses with its impressiveness. Built in the 14th century by the knights of the Order of the Hospitallers, it withstood the attacks of Turkish troops for more than 200 years. During one of the sieges, the walls of the fortress, which were double and separated by a twenty-meter moat, withstood up to 1000 cannon strikes per day!

To this day, most of the walls, 11 gates around the perimeter, bastions, the palace of the Grand Master and several streets have survived, since the Middle Ages, which have not undergone practically any changes.

• Entrance to the fortress is free, access for visitors around the clock.
• Exact address: Address: Alexandridou 14, Rhodes.

The central street of the Rhodes fortress, which has retained its original appearance over the centuries. When you walk along a street paved with rough stone between stone walls, it seems that the clatter of hooves and the ringing of the armor of a racing horseman are about to be heard behind you.

Here and there, on the walls along the street of the knights, the old coats of arms of the Knights Hospitaller and the old lanterns built into the wall, though already with modern lamps, have been preserved.

The houses on the Street of the Knights are the residences of the "tongues" - divisions of the Order of the Knights Hospitaller from different countries medieval Europe. Some of the houses are open to the public, for example, the House in which the Turkish prince Cem was hiding, encroaching on the Ottoman throne.

Address: Ippoton, Rodos 851 00.

The main building on the Street of the Knights, a castle within a castle with imposing towers and thick walls. The existing building is a reconstruction of the 30s of the XX century, the original building was destroyed as a result of the explosion of a gunpowder warehouse a century earlier. However, the reconstructed castle was built with meticulous precision and fully reproduces the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

Inside the castle there is a museum dedicated in part to the archaeological finds of Fr. Rhodes, partly - to the reproduction of the interiors of the knight's castles of the late Middle Ages.

Also interesting are old books, icons, weapons, huge mosaics laid out right on the floor and extraordinary onyx windows, in which plates of a light yellow onyx mineral are inserted instead of glass, due to which the light penetrating into the palace of the great masters is saturated and warm, like the sun. even on cloudy days.

• Address: Ippoton, Rodos 851 00.
• Entry fee: 8 euros, children under 18 free of charge.
• Opening hours: Monday - 12:30 - 19:00.
• Tuesday-Sunday - 08:30 - 19:30

The building that ends the street of the knights is a medieval hospital built in the 14th century to help crusaders and pilgrims who suffered in battles in the Holy Land. It is a two-story building with a patio surrounded by two-level arcades.

Today it is one of the most interesting museums in Rhodes. Numerous finds from all over the island are presented, including the statue of Aphrodite of the Sea, found right in the sea and dating from the 4th century BC. BC e., a very beautiful statue of Aphrodite of Rhodes, 3 centuries younger, the marble head of the sun god Helios, collections of ancient coins and jewelry, ancient Christian manuscripts.

• Address: 2 Symis, 851 00 Rhodes
• Opening hours: May - October - from Tuesday to Saturday 8.00 - 19.00; Sunday - 8.30 - 15.00.
• Monday is a day off.
• November - April: Tuesday to Saturday from 8.30 to 15.00.
• Ticket price: 6 euros, under 18s - free.

The Rhodes fortress, its walls and towers, is the main part of the Old City, but it is much, much older: the city was founded in 408 BC. ancient Greeks, was under the rule of the Romans, Byzantines, knights of the Order of St. John, the Ottoman Empire.

From each of these periods, the city has preserved its own evidence and historical monuments: fragments of the ancient temple of Aphrodite, the remains of a Roman shipyard, the Church of St.

The most interesting thing is that ordinary people live within the Old Town, just like thousands of years ago, their small houses with wooden shutters, flowers and cats are everywhere, for us - an ethnographic museum, and for them - a home and everyday life among the tourist bustle .

Local residents are very sociable and friendly people, meeting acquaintances, they will certainly stop to chat, even if they are separated by a roadway.

You can safely walk around the Old Town on your own for at least a whole day without fear of getting lost - sooner or later you will come out to the city wall and to one of the 11 exits that are always open. In addition, the Old Town is always crowded and it is easy to meet Russian or at least English-speaking people among the cafe staff or tourists who will show you the way.

The main shopping street of the Old, and, perhaps, the whole city. It stretches within the walls of the fortress parallel to the Street of the Knights a quarter from it. In numerous small shops and stalls, almost everything is sold: from ice cream and magnets to huge antique statues and vases, bright fabrics, spices, coffee, olive oil, honey, jewelry, paintings, etc.

On Socrates Street, souvenirs are somewhat cheaper than outside the Old Town.

In addition to shopping pavilions, Socrates Street has many attractions. To begin with, the street originates from the beautiful old Suleiman Mosque with a tall, slender minaret, and ends at Hippocrates Square, where the unusual Castellania fountain with an owl on top and another ancient mosque and the Castellan Palace are located.

The most famous of the 14 mosques of the island, built in 1522 during the reign of Sultan Suleiman, who commanded the Turkish troops during the conquest of the island. The building of the mosque is small, plastered in a pleasant light pink color. The mosque is crowned with 4 semicircular domes, several smaller domes and a high 35-meter minaret with two balconies.

Despite the fact that the minaret is a new building erected on the site of a dilapidated old one, it fits very harmoniously into architectural ensemble mosques.

On the territory of the mosque there is a small garden with tall cypresses and a pretty fountain, the entrance inside may be closed due to renovations, but still this oldest monument of Ottoman culture in Rhodes is worth a look. The best view of the mosque, by the way, opens from the Clock Tower of the Rhodes Fortress - the highest point of the Old Town.

Address: Rhodes, st. Ορφέως [orfeeos] and st. Ιπποδάμου [hypozamu].

The fare on buses is 1.8 - 8 euros, depending on the duration of the route. Timetables on the websites: sindikatodesroda.gr and www.ktelrodou.gr.

A city in the north-eastern part of the island on Cape Krana, 50 km from Rhodes, not far from the famous bay of St. Paul in the shape of a heart. The town is tiny, it has only 700 inhabitants, almost entirely built up with one and two-story bright white houses.

Modern development of this UNESCO cultural monument is prohibited. Also, motor transport is prohibited in the city itself, but this does not matter, because it is easy to get around on foot in a couple of hours. An alternative to a car is donkeys.

Lindos is home to the second largest Acropolis in Greece, after the Acropolis of Athens. A rather steep climb leads to the foot of the Acropolis, which you can overcome on foot, or you can ride a donkey, hiring it from local residents who work part-time here.

From the top there is a very beautiful view of St. Paul's Bay. Photographs are taken from here, in which the bay has a romantic heart shape.

Interestingly, the monument of ancient Greek architecture is surrounded by medieval fortifications with battlements.

The complex of the ancient Acropolis of Lindos (IV - III century BC) consists of the Propylaea (gates) of the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena, the Dorian Portico, the remains of the Roman temple of Emperor Diocletian.

• The Acropolis is open to visitors almost all year round - except for two winter months - January and February.
• Opening hours: 8.00 - 19.40 (out of season - until 14.40).

Attention! There is practically no shade on the territory of the Acropolis, so it is better to inspect it in the early morning or evening hours. But the streets of the city itself are shady and cool.

The cost of the entrance ticket to the territory: 12 euros.

You can get to Lindos by bus, which departs from the bus station every hour from 6.00 to 20.00. You can also sit at bus stops in the city, if they have a stand with a timetable, where the direction is indicated: “Lindos”. The fare is 5 euros, buy a ticket from the driver.

A popular resort 15 km from the city of Rhodes is the center of youth parties, nightclubs, discos and outdoor activities. It is also famous for its beaches with clear clear water and sandy coastal strip. And this, despite the fact that the beaches are crowded during the season, and there are more than ever a lot of catamarans, jet skis, “bananas”, canoes and other watercraft for the entertainment of vacationers on the water.

Attention! From Faliraki to Lindos, you can take a boat trip on a small bright red boat.

You can get to Faliraki from Rhodes by buses departing from the bus station in Rimini Square.

One of the best and most extreme water parks in Greece. “Kamikaze”, “Free Fall”, “Black Hole”, “Crazy Cone” are some of the attractions for the most fearless.

Fans of more relaxed entertainment can try to storm the “wet bubble” or swim in the “slow river”.

For visitors under 12 years old - children's areas with a pirate ship, water jungle, children's slides and an amusement park.

• Address: Faliraki, 85100, Rhodes, Greece.
• You can get from Rhodes by bus.
• Ticket price: 24 euros for adults, 16 euros for children.
• Opening hours: from May to October - 9.30-19.00
• Website in Russian: https://www.water-park.gr/ru/

The most high point northwestern coast of Rhodes. Located 15 km from the capital of the island, the nearest settlement is the town of Ialyssos. Although the mountain is not the highest on the island, it offers a very beautiful view of the surroundings.

The name of the mountain comes from the name of the monk Filerim, who, according to legend, climbed the mountain with the icon of the Mother of God made by St. Luke himself, and founded the monastery. To this day, the temple of the Filerim Mother of God functions on the mountain, interesting in that it is divided into two parts: catholic and orthodox.

The icon brought by the monk is now kept in the Art Museum of the city of Cetinje in Montenegro, and in the Filerimos temple there is only a copy of it. The temple is surrounded by a small cozy park where tame peacocks walk.

Another attraction of Filerimos is the “path to Golgotha” – a cypress alley that rises to the top, equal in length to the path that Christ traveled to Golgotha. At the end of the path - an impressive 16-meter cross and an observation deck.

During the season you can get to Filerimos by bus directly from Rhodes, in the off-season you can only get to Ialyssos, and from there - on foot or by taxi.

A small resort town, just 8 km from Rhodes, is an ideal place for sailing and surfing, thanks to the northwest wind and the direction of the waves.

For the last 20-30 years, Ialyssos has often hosted national and international wind and kite surfing competitions. This is a great place for beginner athletes to practice.

For swimming, the beaches in Ialyssos are not the most convenient - the sea is always worried, and the bottom is rocky.

Excursions will diversify your leisure time - Mount Filerimos is not far away, and the capital of the island with its knightly castles is also within easy reach.

Getting to Ialyssos is easy by bus from the airport or from Rhodes, you can take a taxi, because of the short distance it will be inexpensive.

The settlement of Archangelos, located 30 km south of Rhodes, is quiet and quiet place For family vacation. Sandy beaches, shallow sea, vineyards, olive groves, citrus orchards invite you to walk around the area.

Among the sights are the snow-white Church of the Archangel Michael with a high lace bell tower and the ruins of ancient castle St. John.

Another relaxing place for the whole family. This is a small, but rapidly gaining popularity among tourists settlement, located 20 km from Rhodes on the east coast of the island. the main street villages - a three-kilometer eucalyptus alley descending to the sea. Huge trees create a special microclimate, thanks to the essential oils released by the leaves heated in the sun.

Nearby - just 6 km away is the Tsambika Monastery with a church in honor of the Holy Virgin Mary, a visit to which, according to beliefs, helps women recover from infertility and give birth to a child.

Even in Kolymbia, according to tourists, the best taverns of national Greek cuisine on the island.

The colorful lively village adjacent to the bustling Faliraki is famous for its bright multi-colored houses, the main color of the walls of which is bright blue, the doors and shutters can be red, the porch can be green, etc. In addition, souvenirs are often hung right on the walls of the houses handmade - ceramics, embroidery, fabrics, rugs, which can be purchased right there.

In Kallithea there are ancient baths with mineral water, which have recently been restored and are open to visitors.

This natural attraction is located in a gorge that stretches upstream a picturesque stream near the town of Petaludes in the northwestern part of the island. You can get there on the blue and white R.O.D.A. from the central bus station for 5 euros.

Butterfly Valley is a place where thousands of them are collected, but they are all of the same species and do not fly, but sit on trees, sometimes covering the trunks with a continuous carpet. These are butterflies of the four-pointed bear (Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis), which have an underdeveloped proboscis, therefore they do not feed in adulthood, and the forces accumulated when they were caterpillars are only enough for mating and laying eggs.

Butterflies are not the most brightly colored, but still, when a lot of them cover trees or other surfaces with a living carpet - it's a mesmerizing sight!

Attention! It is guaranteed to meet butterflies in the valley from the end of May to the beginning of August. Arriving earlier or later, you most likely will not meet them or there will be very few of them.

• Opening hours: 8.00-17.00
• Ticket price: 5 euros, for children - free of charge.

The kids on the island will love it! Sea, sandy beaches, an abundance of unusual vegetation, real knight's castles, towers, walls, ruins everywhere.

Tours of the Old City in a playful way can become a real adventure! You can walk along the fortress wall, climb the high tower of the Rhodes fortress - the Sentry. It will always be interesting for children to walk along the Socrates shopping street and choose souvenirs and gifts for their relatives.

A special attraction is the water park in Faliraki - you can spend a whole day or even two on it! Older children can take windsurfing lessons in Ialyssos - when else will this opportunity arise?

Finally, another day can be devoted to visiting the Butterfly Valley and the nearby zoo.

The main inconvenience of the island when traveling with children is quite strong winds, which makes the sea often restless. Although, you can almost always find a cozy cove, especially in the Lindos area.

Having experienced a lot over several centuries, it stands in the same place as the ancient one. Located on the island of the same name and being its capital, it attracts the attention of tourists with magnificent beaches, luxurious hotels, a variety of natural and man-made monuments. Ancient city as if created for those who cannot stand peace and tranquility, but prefer leisure with lots of entertainment. Guests of Greece admit that life here is in full swing day and night, and an exciting journey turns into a memorable holiday.

Excursion into history

Rhodes is an old city whose history began before our era, in 408. The settlement became an ally of the Roman Empire, for more than 200 years it was owned by the Knights of St. John, who dreamed of the Christianization of the East and oppressed the Orthodox Church in Greece. It is believed that it is to them that the city owes the way it looks now.

In the 16th century, well-fortified Rhodes fell into the hands of the Turks, and the knights fled to Malta, where they organized their order. For almost four hundred years, the indigenous population was under the yoke of the invaders, but the Rhodians had many privileges, which had a favorable effect on high level life.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Italian troops appeared in the city, who won the war with the Turks. The conquerors had a significant impact on the appearance of the entire island as a whole, they built new buildings and restored ancient monuments.

After the start of the Second World War, the Italians were pushed aside by the Nazis, who in 1943 occupied Old city. Rhodes became part of Greece only a few years after the end of the German occupation.

Treasury in which different eras are intertwined

The capital of the picturesque island is rich in places of interest for tourists, but many give the palm to the old part of the city, protected by UNESCO. Not in vain locals consider the Old Town to be a true treasury containing architectural gems. Rhodes, which has preserved the appearance and spirit of a medieval port, is truly unique corner where religions, cultures and peoples intersect.

In the settlement founded several centuries ago, different eras are intertwined, traces of which are left on local attractions. The historical part of the city, no doubt, can be called a museum under open sky. Everyone who comes to learn something new is given a wonderful opportunity to explore the narrow streets and get acquainted with unusual cultural monuments for which Rhodes (Old Town) is famous.

Sights built several centuries ago are perfectly preserved, and tourists are transported into the distant past, as if by a time machine.

city ​​walls

The first thing that guests of the city see is the impressive walls that protected the inhabitants from the enemy. A masterpiece of military architecture was erected by skilled craftsmen in several stages. The stone walls, on which everyone can walk today, are decorated with knightly coats of arms, and in summer, local authorities arrange light and musical performances at the foot of the ancient landmark, telling about the affairs of bygone days.

Walking along the moat below, you can find narrow manholes that allowed scouts to sneak into the enemy camp when Rhodes was under siege. The Old Town is a well-preserved example of the fortification architecture of the Middle Ages, and the fortress walls stretching for four kilometers are the best confirmation of this.

ancient monuments

Of course, the most ancient monuments on the territory of the capital of the island belong to the ancient Greek period, unfortunately, they are in a ruined state. For example, from famous temple Aphrodite was left with one foundation, in some places you can see traces of ancient defensive structures and the ruins of a Roman shipyard.

Ruins dating back to the Byzantine period

From the Orthodox churches erected during the reign of Byzantium, only ruins have survived, and mosques have survived to the descendants in good condition, which were converted from Christian churches by the Turks who captured the Old City. Rhodes is known for the ancient church of St. Spyridon - a snow-white building with an Ottoman minaret.

In addition, tourists can see several high towers in the northeast of the resort, which appeared in the Byzantine period. As guests of the city note, the monumental fortifications look rough compared to those that remained from the knights.

Monuments of the period of the Hospitallers

Keeps in itself for several centuries ancient history, which manifests itself in every building, the Greek Rhodes. The old city, the photo of which will not leave indifferent any tourist, will surprise you with the main attraction, located on the street of the Knights. The Palace of the Grand Masters, reminiscent of a mini-fortress, impresses with its impressive size and luxurious decoration. During the Turkish rule, it was destroyed, and only in 1939 the majestic building was restored by the Italians.

Now there is a museum here, the exhibits of which will tell about the distant past of the country, and under the palace, according to archaeologists, there is one erected in honor of Helios.

Ottoman architecture

Historians are convinced that the period of Turkish domination left a huge mark on the architecture of Rhodes. The buildings erected at that time determine the appearance of the historical part of the city. Built on the site of a demolished Orthodox church Suleiman Mosque is considered the most beautiful.

The restored building with pink walls is in harmony with the general atmosphere of the Old Town. Seven domes of the mosque, having different sizes, rise above the pearl of Greece, and the clock tower located next to the religious building allows everyone to look down at the mosque.

Time travel

According to tourists, it is a unique example of how different cultures and even eras coexist in a small area, the Old Town. Rhodes, which has changed several "owners" who have left their mark on culture and architecture, is one of the most interesting settlements.

You can wander around the historical part of the capital of the island, which causes a lot of emotions, for hours, enjoying amazing beauty one of the oldest settlements in Europe.

The old city, which without exaggeration can be called the history of Rhodes in miniature, cannot be bypassed in one day. Monument filled with sights world heritage UNESCO is always waiting for new guests who want to take a fascinating journey through time. Therefore, tourists dream of staying in cultural object of world importance not for one day, but to spend at least a week here.

Comfort and convenience for travelers

Rhodes, which has long developed a tourist infrastructure, offers excellent conditions for accommodating its guests. Numerous hotels in the Old Town of Rhodes are best booked in advance, as comfortable rooms may not be available during the high season.

Equipped in accordance with world standards, Kresten Palace Hotel, Hilton Rhodes Resort, International Hotel, Ibiscus Hotel, Hotel Olympos are located close to the main attractions of the resort, which will greatly appeal to travelers who come in search of new experiences.

Rhodes is one of the most interesting islands Mediterranean. Being an important center of civilization in ancient times, unlike the rest of Greece, it did not lose its significance in the Middle Ages. Thanks to the Knights Hospitaller, who built their headquarters here, he acquired numerous man-made sights. No wonder the Old Town of Rhodes is considered one of the best examples of fortification architecture in the world.

Street of knights

The Street of the Knights is one of the best preserved architectural artifacts in the entire Dodecanese. It served as the main artery of the city even in antiquity - there was a road that connected the Great Port with the Temple of Helios.

But the real fame came to her later - already during the reign of the knights.

You may have visited medieval cities before, but you are unlikely to find a place where immersion in the Middle Ages takes place as clearly and deeply as in old Rhodes. Modern buildings are not visible from the Street of the Knights, and therefore, walking along it, it is very easy to believe that time has turned back and you are back in the 15th century.

On the street of the knights, the houses are built in the styles of the countries participating in the Order

Another feature of the Street is its multinationality. Once it was built for prominent guests of the order - knights and dignitaries who came here from different countries. To make them feel more comfortable on the island, the architectural ensemble of each building speaks of its belonging to a particular country.

The most significant building is the residence of France - it is the most richly decorated. In addition to France, there were residences for knights from England, Germany, Italy, Aragon, Auvergne, Provence and Castile.

Palace of the Grand Masters

Perched on top of a hill, the Palace of the Grand Masters dominates the old city.

Once on this very spot stood the temple of Helios, then the Byzantine fortress and only from the XIV century the building that stands now. However, a small correction: the Palace in its original form was thoroughly damaged under Turkish rule, and subsequently, in 1856, it was also severely mutilated as a result of an explosion in an ammunition depot.

The Italians who ruled here, between 1937 and 1940, carried out the restoration of the structure with the aim of serving it as a summer residence for Mussolini, and this is the same view that opens to tourists today. Mussolini himself, by the way, never visited here.

The Palace of the Grand Masters on Rhodes was restored especially for Mussolini

When Rhodes was the capital of the Knights of St. John, the Palace was a symbol of their power and the place from where the 19 Grand Masters of the Order managed the affairs of the Order. In total, the Palace has more than 200 halls and rooms. Among the most notable of them are the Halls of Byzantine icons, the Italian governor, receptions, dances, music, waiting, etc.

In the period from 01.04 to 31.10, the Palace is open to visitors daily from 8:00 to 19:40. The price of the entrance ticket is 6 Euro. For students and persons under 18 years of age, admission is free.

city ​​walls

It is impossible to lose sight of the imposing fortification, from whichever side your ship approaches the commercial port of Rhodes. An impressive 4-kilometer structure surrounds the old city and stirs up the traveler's interest to enter its holy of holies.

The main part of the walls was built by knights in the XIV-XV centuries.

An interesting fact is that different elements of the walls were rebuilt in different time, and it is possible to determine the dates of construction of each element of the fortification by the coats of arms of the Grand Masters decorating them, knowing the time of the corresponding powers.

The walls of the fortress amaze with their grandeur

The city walls around the old city were completed at a time when the use of artillery in combat became ubiquitous. Anticipating the direction of development of military affairs, the great masters of the Order adapted their fortification to the trends of the times.

That is why the walls grew not so much up as in breadth - in order to withstand the enemy's fire strike. During periods of exacerbation of the situation, the walls were reinforced with ramparts, which made their ability to withstand artillery fire even higher.

Such a thorough approach to construction allowed Rhodes to withstand several major sieges and hold out for 70 years longer than Constantinople. The intensity of hostilities between the knights and the Turks defending the island is already evidenced by the fact that, for example, during the siege of 1480, the walls of the fortress took on up to 1000 cannonballs a day.

You can learn a lot about the medieval history of the island by looking at the coats of arms on the buildings.

The fortress fell only in 1522 after a six-month siege by its 100,000-strong army of Sultan Suleiman the Great. And this despite the fact that the forces of the defenders amounted to about 6000 people, of which only about 1000 could be considered professional soldiers. Impressed by the courage of the defenders, the Turks allowed them to freely leave the island with all the banners, weapons and relics.

Archaeological Museum of Rhodes

Located next to the main entrance to the old city, the Archaeological Museum is of interest only because it is located in a building that once served as a hospital for the Knights of St. John.

Today there is a museum, which exhibits finds found during excavations on the island. And in the period of antiquity, these places were very respected in ancient world, which is already evidenced by the facts that one of the 7 wonders of the world was located on Rhodes, as well as the fact that such famous historical figures as Alexander the Great and the mythical Spartan king Menelaus visited the local temple of Athena Lydia.

The Archaeological Museum is located in the former hospital of the Knights of St. John

The pearl of the exposition is the marble sculpture of Aphrodite of Rhodes. In addition to it, the marble head of Helios, the famous tomb stele of Crito and Timarista, the statue of Zeus of the Hellenistic era and many other exhibits also deserve attention.

The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes during the summer (from 01.04 to 31.10) is open daily from 8:00 to 19:40. The entrance ticket costs 8 Euro. Admission is free for children under 18 and students.

Byzantine churches, mosques and the Jewish quarter

The streets of Old Rhodes give the city a special flavor

A unique feature of Rhodes is the reformatting of the remnants of previous cultures by subsequent ones and the adaptation of previously built buildings to new needs.

What are, for example, the Byzantine churches, adapted by the Johnites to be Catholic, then rebuilt by the Ottomans into mosques and then returned to Christianity again. Or the fact that until 1944, 70% of the population of the old city were Jews, who were subsequently exterminated by the Nazis.

Of course, it is better to walk around the old town of Rhodes with a guide. Moreover, Athena has very interesting excursion covering all the most significant places of the old city. If you decide, then in the article at the link there are Athena's contacts to write to her and arrange a walk.

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Landmarks of the city of Rhodes. The most important and interesting sights of the City of Rhodes - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, sites.

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• The most famous sights of Rhodes are associated mainly with the history of the Order of the Knights Hospitaller, who owned the island for more than two centuries. Mandatory sights are the Palace of the Great Masters (15th century), the medieval street of the Knights in the Old City, as well as the system of city fortifications with perfectly preserved walls that surround it, and numerous gates and towers.

  Another attraction of Rhodes that should not be missed is the Acropolis, which dates back to the 5th-3rd centuries BC. e. It is located not exactly in Rhodes, but about 3 km from the city. Here you can see the partially restored temple of Apollo, the stadium and a small theater, as well as many unrestored buildings for various purposes. The acropolis is located on the territory of the large Monte Smith park.

  New town Rhodes, in fact, cannot be called so new: it “begins” from the 16th century. It's just very different from medieval times.

  The lion's share of the tourist attractions of Rhodes is located in the Old Town, and it is he who attracts tourists the most. No wonder: medieval Rhodes is considered one of the best preserved urban centers in Europe. The heritage of antiquity, Byzantine and Ottoman times has been preserved and mixed here, creating a unique atmosphere.

  The Municipal Garden of Rhodes is located on the northernmost edge of the Old Town and its light and sound show is one of the most popular tourist attractions. It is the only one of its kind in Greece: the show combines theatrical performance, light and sound, and it is not only purely entertaining, but also educational. Ancient myths and legends are intertwined here with the stories of the most dramatic moments in the history of the island.

  Meanwhile, the New Town of Rhodes, in fact, cannot be called so new: it “begins” from the 16th century. It's just very different from medieval times. In the Upper New Town, you can find a lot of interesting things, including examples of the "neo-imperial" architectural style (such as the prefecture building). In addition, the city theater of Rhodes is located here; the beautiful Murat Reis Mosque, built in 1523 and one of the oldest on the island; picturesque Turkish cemetery; Church of the Franciscans Sankta Maria (Virgin Mary); Museum of Modern Greek Art and Aquarium.

  • Where to stay: In a variety of hotels - beach and city - the capital of the island and its main resort, the city of Rhodes: overlooking the picturesque coastline or ancient sights. Its suburb of Kolymbia is suitable for lovers of respectable rest and connoisseurs of comfort. Lindos, in addition to a developed recreation infrastructure, will delight you with a hospitable atmosphere "in Greek". Faliraki hotels are completely modern and comfortable, standing on the "golden" beach.