How the city of Rhodes, the capital of the island of the sun, meets tourists: hotels, recreation, shopping. Open left menu Rhodes city

“I would like us to love the old masters more and copy them less. It has been said that the Greeks were great because they never borrowed from the ancients.

Kakuzo Okakura "The Book of Tea"

It was our 3rd trip, we thought for a very long time where to go and since my husband always dreamed of visiting Greece, we chose one of its wonderfulislands - Rhodes.

Greece is an amazing country. It cannot be described in one or two words. For this, even a story is not enough. Therefore, going to write about our Greek holidays, I will divide our holiday into several stories dedicated to specific cities and places, namely:Faliraki town and its surroundings; capital of the island of Rhodes Rhodes city; wonderful place Kallithea Terme ; extreme the city of Lindos; picturesque Anthony Quinn Beach and Ladiko Bay ; Rodini Park; and also, I’ll tell you about one excursion, in which we traveled around half of the western coast of the island from Kamiros to Arnisa.

So, the island of Rhodes. It is often called the island of the sun, and this is true, because the sun sets here late in the evening, and the streets are as bright as daytime until 9 pm. There is an amazing climate, fresh and unpolluted air, gentle sea with wonderful and picturesque coves and colorful local Greeks.

In this story, I will share with you my impressions of the capital of the island of Rhodes - the city of Rhodes of the same name.

IN Rhodes city we came 2 times - the first time to walk along it and explore the sights, and the second time for souvenirs, along the way, however, we stopped for a walk in Rodini Park, which is about 40 minutes walk from Rhodes.

Having been in Rhodes, I would divide this town into 3 parts:

1. Mandraki Port (Mandraki Bay, Mandraki embankment - everyone calls it differently)

2. Old City

3. Modern Rhodes with residential buildings and beach area

We really liked the Old City with its indescribable comfort and color, so we visited it twice. And now more about our impressions.

So, Rhodes city- the capital and just a beautiful ancient city. We came here on the 3rd day of our holiday. from Faliraki . Directions cost us 2.20 euros per person (4.40 for two), drove for about half an hour and jumped out of the bus near Port Mandraki. It was from here that we began our acquaintance with the capital.

Embankment Mandraki

Port of Mandraki is a busy street in Rhodes town, which is located next to the eastern wall of the Old Town. This is a very picturesque and amazing place. In addition to the fact that a huge number of yachts and boats are moored here, which is an amazing sight in itself, there are many more cafes, shops and other attractions. For example, such as Fortress of St. Nicholas . We did not get inside, since the entrance is closed, but from the outside it looks like a massive ancient fortress, very beautiful.

Fortress of St. Nicholas

If you stand with your back to the fortress, and go forward , then you can walk to one of the main attractions of Mandraki Port - Colossus of Rhodes. True, now in the place of this "colossus" there are two stone columns topped with statues of deer. In general, there are many legends about what the statue of the Colossus of Rhodes was originally like and how it disappeared. Personally, I heard this version of the story:

A long time ago, a very long time ago, in honor of one of his military victories against the Egyptians, it was decided to erect a statue of the sun god Helios on Rhodes (according to another legend, Helios in his hands carried from the abyss sea island and it was the island of Rhodes). So, for a long time the Greeks built the statue, more than 12 years, and finally built: a huge, 36 meter statue of a young man (the god Helios), and this statue was made of pure gold. This statue stood for many years, but a strong earthquake destroyed it. There are even more legends about the further fate of the statue (after destruction). According to some of them, the destroyed gold fragments were plundered by the Turks or Egyptians; according to other versions, they are still somewhere at the bottom of the sea; according to another source, the Colossus of Rhodes did not generally stand in the port, but on the hill of Monte Smith. But it is worth adding that none of these theories has so far been confirmed by even 1 percent. So maybe this statue did not exist at all? Who knows…

In any case, the main "gates" to the port are now flaunting two deer on the columns. It is worth adding that deer are the symbol of Rhodes, because once upon a time, they saved Rhodes from the misfortune in the form of snakes.

These statues stand on the site of the "Colossus of Rhodes"

Port of Mandraki, Rhodes city. Mandraki harbour, Rhodes town, 2014

By the way, from this point a stunning view of the Mandraki embankment and the walls of the Old City opens up.

View of the Mandraki embankment

View of the Old City from Mandraki Port

From here we set off to explore the Old City, armed with a pen and detailed map this city, which helped us a lot (the card can be taken for free at any tourist kiosk, of which there are a lot in the Old City).

Gates to enter the Old City are many, in my opinion, 11 or 12, and they all have their own names. All of them, along with their names, are marked on the map. We entered through Gate "St. Paul's Gate. They are the very first, if you go straight from the fortress of St. Nicholas. First, we climbed a small tower, which offers a gorgeous view of the sea.

Just a beautiful view from the walls of the Old City...

We sat in the shade, rested a bit and went downstairs. We walked a couple of steps along the pier and turned right at the first turn.

We go to the Old City

There is a road of medium traffic. We crossed the road and went straight ahead. After walking quite a bit, we came to a small platform, very beautiful. On the left hand are the ruins of the temple of Aphrodite, and on the right is the Museum of Modern Greek Art (municipal museum of modern greek art).

Temple of Aphrodite

Rhodes, old town, temple of Aphrodite. Rhodes old town, the Temple of Aphrodite, 2014, august

Very inconvenient pebble road, almost throughout the Old City.

Walking on it in flip flops is simply impossible. Or rather, in flip flops with thin and soft soles, like mine. After 5 minutes, the legs begin to hurt with terrible force and every step is like torture. Plus, the surface is slippery. Keep in mind my bitter experience and wear shoes with thick soles.

By the way, one more note. Throughout the Old City there are shops for tourists, where you can go and take a map of the city for free, some other books, or just ask a question.

The further you go into Old city, the more you feel this unique atmosphere and color, which even the air in this wonderful place is saturated with. There are a lot of people, everyone is scurrying back and forth, sitting in a cafe, buying souvenirs and things, taking pictures. It is worth stopping for a moment and you feel in the center of what wonderful world you are here: you can hear the speech of dozens of nationalities, from numerous cozy cafes you can feel the indescribable smell of Greek cuisine, the sun heats the air, and all this hovers around you and merges into a unique color that saturates the streets of the Old City. And you just plunge headlong into a journey through this micro-world.

The second place we came to - Hippocrates Square. A small spot with crowds of tourists taking pictures around fountain with very beautiful name "Castellania".

There are several taverns in this square. Each of them has its own annoying barker. Looking ahead, I’ll say that when we arrived in Rhodes for the second time, we still went to have lunch at one of these taverns on Hippocrates Square, but more on that later.

There is a beautiful medieval building on Hippocrates Square - Megaro Castellania. During our visit, there was a museum in this building in honor of some German doctor. The entrance is free. Below is a video from this museum.

Castellania building, museum on Hippocrates Square. Megaro Kastellania, Hippocrates Square, Rhodes

After walking around the museum and having cooled down a bit (because the sun burned mercilessly on the street), we dived into one of the many lanes of the Old City, and went to look for the numerous mosques that are hiding throughout the Old City.

Cozy street cafes of the Old City

The first mosque we stumbled upon by chance was Mosque of Ibrahim Pasha. To be honest, at first we didn’t even understand that it was a mosque. It was covered with trees, there was a cafe in front of it, plus it was under renovation. So we could not evaluate this mosque.

Near the mosque of Ibrahim Pasha

Residential buildings mixed with some old buildings

We turned left and passed a couple of old, peeling and tattered two-story residential buildings (at first we didn’t even realize that these were residential buildings until we saw curtains and flowers on the windows).

We went a little further and found themselves among the narrow streets, paved with this very polished pebble, on which it is impossible to walk. And there's not a soul on the streets. We only saw one dog. Quiet, beautiful, unusual. I think that no guide and no excursion will show you such an Old City.

I think that no guide will take you to such places.

Lost in the unexplored streets of the Old City

We walked along these wonderful streets, passing from one to another, and came to some wider and busier street. As we learned later, it is called Agiou Fanouriou .

The old town of Rhodes, lost in the streets. Rhodes old town, unknown streets, 2014

On this street there are small cafes, and the so-called private "boarding houses", in English "pension", and private residential houses or apartments. We could not resist and looked into a couple of them. The ceilings are low, the rooms are small, but the atmosphere is cozy, and the families are large. Nobody scolds you. We walked a little ahead, and, looking at the map, we realized that we didn’t know where we were at all. Even approximately. On the street near the entrance to the house sat a local Greek woman. We approached her and asked her to help us and show us where we were on the map. But she could not show on the map, and in English she could not answer anything at all, she only smiled and shook her head. We turned around and went back. We walked back and forth, then went out to another street with one cafe. It was very hot, we were tired, we didn’t know where to go, we didn’t understand where we were at all, and no matter how long we looked at the map, we couldn’t guess where we were. After a short rest on the curb, we again moved forward, but wherever we went, we still returned to the places where we had already been. So they went around in circles for who knows how long. Once again returning to the same street, we saw a sign high on the house with small letters Agiou Fanouriou. Buried in the map, we went straight until we came across a sign "Old Town Aquarium". We did not go in, but we were able to find this place on the map and understood where we need to go next. And our path lay on the trading Sokratus street. In a couple of minutes we were already there.

Socratus Street and Suleiman Mosque

Socratus street - the main shopping street of the Old City. There are many shops with souvenirs, clothes, bags, many eateries, cafes and jewelry stores. But there are even more tourists here. The prices here are very good. Buy souvenirs, and just some things we advise here (which we did on our second visit to Rhodes). And this time we just walked and looked around until we came straight to Suleiman Mosque.

Having rounded the mosque on the right side, we went to Medieval Clock Tower (Medieval Clock Tower),

Clock tower

which is also called Roloi Clock Tower. You can climb it, but when you reach the middle, you have to pay to go up. 5 euros per person per lift . We did not, because from here, too, a good view was opened. We took a couple of pictures and went downstairs.

View from the Clock Tower

Under the tower By the way, there is a toilet, paid - 50 cents from a person. Inside is very clean and tidy.

Since it was already lunch time, we decided to sit in some cafe and try the famous Greek pita. Since there were a lot of cafes under the tower that offered this very dish, and in addition a gorgeous view of the tower was attached, we chose one small cafe and sat down to have lunch.

In that cafe Few tables in 2 rows. All tables have a direct view of the Clock Tower. You sit, wait for your order and admire the views. Greek pita stands here 4.5 euro per serving. Served with french fries. I don’t know, maybe we were just not very lucky, maybe it should be like that, but the pita was very fatty, all in oil, the meat was not bad, but the pita itself (like a flatbread) was all in oil and not tasty. But we weren't too upset. We sat down, rested and went on a walk.

Cafe opposite the Clock Tower, with a magnificent view of it. And Greek pita

And we went for a walk straight (the Clock Tower remained on the right hand) along Orpheus street and reached the next gate: Gate of Saint Anthony.

Gate of St. Anthony

We went through the gate and went out to a small street.

Entrance to St. Anthony's Gate

On the left hand there are many street artists offering to paint your portrait, on the right hand is the wall of the Masters' Palace, benches, and most importantly, a shade. We sat on the bench for a bit and moved on. And then the arch and the exit from it to the bridge, and through the bridge to New Rhodes. To be precise, these are the next gates: Gate D'Amboise (D'Amboise Gate). This bridge offers a beautiful view of the moat surrounding the Old City.

Gate of St. Anthony, the moat separating the Old City and the modern one, and the Gate d'Amboise

We looked, took some pictures and returned back to the Old City. We left through the Gate of St. Anthony and went to the Palace of the Grand Masters.

The Palace of the Grand Masters is majestic and beautiful.

Entrance costs 6 euros.

Palace of the Grand Masters

Inside is a nice courtyard with statues.

Palace of the Grand Masters

Palace of the Grand Masters, Rhodes. The Palace of the Grand Masters, Rhodes, 2014

From here you can go to museum, which presents antiques: keys, cups, plates, lamps and, most importantly, icons. Rather, for the most part, fragments of icons, but there are also almost completely preserved icons.

Palace of the Grand Masters

From the museum you can go into a room resembling a chapel.

Well, directly to the Palace of the Masters.

Palace of the Grand Masters

First, climb the stairs (pictured above). By the way, be careful, because the stairs are without railings and you can accidentally fall from it, for example, looking at something that almost happened to me.

Further, I don’t think it’s worth a lot of words, I’ll just show the photos and add that the inside of the Palace is very beautiful. I advise you to visit. What is worth the view from the windows, which was opened to the ministers every day. Or a unique mosaic on the floor (each room has its own unique pattern) brought from the island of Kos (as far as I remember). There are many halls, rooms, they are all very beautiful.

Palace of the Grand Masters

We spent money for the entrance and did not regret it. I do not understand those who write that this is a waste of money. This is a unique architectural monument. WE RECOMMEND TO VISIT the Palace of the Grand Masters.

After the Palace of the Masters, we went out and walked around Street of the Knights . Beautiful street.

Street of the Knights

We left the Old City through the main gate and went to explore the city of Rhodes further, or to be more precise, then Modern Rhodes and its coastline.

I must say that the difference is very noticeable and you can immediately see where New Rhodes begins.

Here's another old buildings,

New Rhodes begins near the Old City

But literally 10 steps and now modern residential areas with colleges, cafes, schools, outlined houses and a completely different “air”.

Part of modern Rhodes

So we reached a crossroads with some kind of monument. Despite the fact that it was already 4 pm, the sun was incredibly bright, and we could not see this monument.

Part of modern Rhodes

Upon transition, we switched to opposite side and finally saw the sea.

Road to the beach in Rhodes town. Road to Aegean Sea, Rhodes city, 2014

color y Aegean Sea amazing. But what is even more surprising is the waves. As it turned out, the Aegean Sea is not at all as calm as the Mediterranean, and the depth begins almost immediately, as you enter the sea, and there are stones under your feet. The beaches here are pebbly.

We don’t know about the cost of the sunbeds, because at the moment when we came to the beach (the beginning of the fifth day), the sunbeds began to be slowly removed (chained to the umbrellas) and no one even approached us, although we spent an hour on the sunbeds one and a half. We bought, filmed a video and at about 6 o'clock we headed along the beach towards Port Mandraki.

Aegean coast

In just 20 minutes, at a very leisurely pace, we reached the Aquarium and the confluence of the two seas: Aegean and Mediterranean. An amazing picture: you look to the left - the sea is stormy, you can see small waves, and you turn your head to the right - the sea is calm.

Aegean and Mediterranean sea in the city of Rhodes, August. Aegean and Mediterranean sea, Rhodes town, 2014

On the Mediterranean part of Rhodes there are Elli beach. It is located near the Aquarium. The beach is nice, crowded even at 6pm.

Opposite Casino beach.

Casino near Elli Beaches

By the way, Vadmission to the Aquarium costs 5 or 6 euros . I don't remember anymore.

Aquarium

After the beach, we headed along the Mandraki embankment to the bus stop.

Walk along the embankment of Mandraki bay, Rhodes town. Walking along Mandraki Bay, Rhodes, 2014

On the coast of the Aegean Sea. Trade and tourist center. Processing of agricultural products. Fishing.

In Rhodes was the Colossus of Rhodes - one of the seven wonders of the world. Now tourists are attracted to the city by one of the World Heritage Sites - Rhodes fortress, erected in the Middle Ages as the headquarters of the knightly order of the Hospitallers.

Story

Ancient Rhodes

Palace of the Grand Masters of the Order of Rhodes

Ancient Rhodes was founded in 408 BC. e. in accordance with the common decision of the three significant city-states of the island - Kamira, Yalisia and Linda - to establish together a single city.

The place for the city was chosen in the northernmost part of the island, from where it was possible to control the ships sailing in the eastern part of the Aegean Sea.

The city was officially called "dem of the Rhodians", was built according to the hippodamic system and was famous for its urban structure. The city had wide intersecting streets running horizontally and vertically, forming right angles. According to the information contained in the texts of ancient authors, the city was decorated with many temples and statues. The city had five ports, of which three have been located, while traces of the other two have been lost. One of them was the Grand Port, corresponding to the current Trading port. Another port was the Military Port, located on the territory of Mandraki. During the hostilities, the entrance to it was closed with a chain. And, finally, the third port was located on the territory of the port of Acanthia. Many of the streets of the late Middle Ages of the city coincided with the streets of ancient times. For example, on the street of the Knights (Ippoton) in antiquity there was a street leading from the temple of the god Helios to the Great Port.

The temple of the god Helios was supposedly built on the territory where the palace of the Grand Masters currently stands. In the northern part of the Grand Port stood the temple of Aphrodite. The discovered remains of the temple date back to the 3rd century BC. e. To the west of this area were shipyards.

The ancient city was surrounded by fortress walls. The walls of the city also covered the acropolis, which was not fortified and was located in the southwestern part of the city, on the hill of St. Stephen or Monte Smith. Five ports had special fortifications. The walled city occupied approximately the same territory as the modern city. The area of the city was about 15 km, and the population reached 60,000-100,000 people.

The time of the greatest rise of ancient Rhodes falls on the III-II centuries BC. e. During this period, the city was the most significant center of transit trade in Eastern Mediterranean. As a result of archaeological excavations, the stadium, theater and temples located on the acropolis, as well as the foundations of buildings, streets, an underground sewerage and water supply network, and sections of ancient fortress walls were discovered.

In the northernmost part of the acropolis of ancient Rhodes, the ruins of the temple of Athena Poliadry have been preserved. To the south and east of the temple, buildings were found built below ground level. These structures, which communicated with the underground water supply of the city, are called nymphs, since they were dedicated to the cult of the nymphs. To the southeast of the nymphaeum and the temple of Athena, a small theater has been excavated, which has now been completely reconstructed. Original are only three seats in the first row. The small size of the theater (capacity - only 800 seats) indicates that this is not a city theater, but a facility for musical performances and other events in honor of Apollo, and even for speeches. To the southeast of the theater, the stadium of the ancient city was opened - a construction of the 2nd century BC. e. Antique Olympic Stadium 3rd century BC is the only completely preserved Olympic stadium in the world - an analogue of the stadium in Olympia with a central field for running in two stages (dromos dolichos) and a rounded one end for martial arts, surrounded by genuine seats and stands. The sound of the voice is heard at 400 meters and only intensifies towards the middle. To the east of the stadium was a gymnasium, of which only meager remnants have survived.

In the highest, western part of the acropolis was the temple of Apollo Pythea, to which a large staircase led. Three columns of the temple supporting the cornice have been restored. The base of the temple is built around a giant cyclopean stone of a quadrangular shape in the same way as the base of the temple of Aphrodite located nearby.

Tombs have been excavated to the southwest of the stadium, while the necropolises of the ancient city (4th-3rd centuries BC) are located near Rodini, the most significant burial in which is the so-called "Ptolemaic tomb". Burials were also found in the Sgouros region, along the road to Koskina and the village of Agia Triada.

Byzantine Rhodes

In the Byzantine era (4th century AD - 1309), the city of Rhodes was the capital of the Kivirreota theme. The city was an important naval and military base and the seat of the Orthodox Metropolitan.

During the earthquake of 515, the city suffered significant destruction, after which it began to occupy a much smaller area compared to the territory of the ancient city. Although the new territory of the city is not precisely defined, it is clear that the city consisted of a Byzantine fortress and a fortified city.

A significant number of early Christian churches located throughout the island belong to the same era. Inside the city, a basilica with mosaic ceilings of the 5th century was opened in the southwestern part (crossroads of Pavlou Mela and Himarras streets), a building of the same era with mosaic floors (on Himarras street) and, finally, another basilica near the new stadium. In the XIII century, when the brothers Leo and John Gavala ruled Rhodes, the Byzantine churches of the city were built already inside the fortress. When the Turks captured the island, they turned the churches into mosques, adapting them to the needs of their own religion.

Knightly Rhodes

With the arrival of the Knights of St. John in 1309, the city of Rhodes became the center of the Order. The port of the city experienced a significant flourishing. Pilgrims heading to the Holy Places stopped here on their way to Jerusalem. New buildings were erected, fortifications were reconstructed and strengthened. During this era, Rhodes acquired the appearance of a medieval city. From the inside, the wall divided it into two unequal parts - the smaller Collachio and the larger Chora or Burgo (Burgus). The main axis of the Collacio was the Street of the Knights (Ippoton). Here were the palace of the Grand Masters, the administrative center, the Catholic Cathedral, a hospital, a residence of different "languages", houses of knights, a marina and an arsenal. Chora and Burgo were south of Collachio. On the territory inside its walls there were houses of representatives of various nationalities living in the city, including Greeks and Jews, a market, Orthodox and Catholic churches, a synagogue, public buildings and barracks. The architecture of the Age of Knights can be divided into two periods. In the first period (1309-1480), the Gothic style became widespread with some variations. masters who worked at that time. They were local, which is why some Byzantine elements are also inherent in their creations. In the second period (1480-1522), the beginning of which refers to the first siege by the Turks (1480) and the devastating earthquake of 1481, late Gothic art develops, influenced by the art of the Italian Renaissance. During the years of the second period, fortifications and public buildings were restored after the destruction caused by the siege of the Turks and the earthquake.

Of all the Grand Masters Special attention d'Aubusson gave the strengthening of fortifications. The fortress walls surrounding the city had a perimeter of 4 km and also had a moat, which in many areas was double. Fortifications included walls that protected the city from the land, the walls of the port and the walls of port piers. Each "language" was assigned special place, which he was supposed to defend in the event of an enemy attack. In general, the fortress had seven gates: the gate of St. Paul at the northern end of the fortress, which communicated with the Nallac tower on the edge of the northern pier of the port, the gate d'Amboise, built in 1512, the gate of St. also the gates of St. John, the gates of St. Catherine or the gates of the Mills, the second name of which is due to the 14 mills standing on the pier (only 3 have survived), the Sea Gate in the center of the Commercial Port and, finally, to the north - the Port Gate. In some areas, the fortifications were reinforced with towers - the tower of Spain, the tower of the Virgin, the tower of St. Paul (on the edge of the northern pier) and the tower of St. Nicholas (on the edge of the southern pier).

Turkish rule

Suleiman Mosque

After the capture of Rhodes by the troops of Suleiman the Magnificent in 1522, the Greeks were expelled from the fortified city and settled outside it in the newly formed quarters, which were called "marasia". The Turks who settled in the city did not need to build new houses. They used existing buildings, to which they made additions, adapting them to their own needs. The churches were turned into mosques with added minarets, while the houses of Christians with attached "sahnisi" fully met the needs of the new owners. Only a few mosques, three temples, some commercial premises and market warehouses were rebuilt.

Replacing the Turks in 1912, the Italians rebuilt the city, eliminating the extensions made by the Turks. They also built a building in the port of Mandraki and around the medieval city.

New town

The new city arose as a result of the resettlement of residents to the territory outside the fortress walls after the capture of Rhodes in 1522. However, the main buildings and restoration work mainly date back to the time of the Italian occupation (the general plan of the city was drawn up in 1926 and implemented by the architect Florestano di Fausto). At the same time, the Italians adorned it with Neo-Gothic and Venetian buildings, many of which have survived to this day, thus creating a special look for the city, especially in the port area. Modern city concentrated on its territory the majority of the employed population of the island and is characterized by a carefully thought-out layout with wide streets and a large number of parks and squares. The city's highly developed tourist industry has resulted in the emergence of many hotels that are distinguished by exquisite amenities and modern aesthetics. This also includes most of the recreation centers, thanks to which life in the city continues until the morning, giving it a cosmopolitan flavor.

In the eastern part of Rhodes is the port of Acanthia, and to the east it is followed by the Commercial Port, on the site of which in ancient times the so-called Great Port was located. In this area, in ancient times, there was "Deygma" (lit.: "Sample (of goods)") - a complex of richly decorated buildings that played the role of a shopping center. Unfortunately, nothing has survived from this complex, as well as from the ancient agora and the famous theater of Dionysus, placed by archaeologists near the Grand Port. The third port of ancient Rhodes was a military port and is identified with the current Mandraki, which is located to the west of the Commercial Port. Mandraki is one of the most scenic spots throughout the island, where life is in full swing throughout the year. The picture, consisting of fishing boats, sightseeing boats and yachts of the island's guests, acquires a special charm if we remember that, according to tradition, it was here that the Colossus stood with his legs wide apart, who supervised the ships that arrived at the port. At those points where the feet of the Colossus rested on the ground - in front of the tower of St. Nicholas and on the opposite pier - now stand on columns two bronze statues of deer, which are a kind of emblem of modern Rhodes. The pier of St. Nicholas is also decorated with three mills - the only surviving of the thirteen windmills the reign of the Knights.

Most of Mandraki is occupied New Market(architect Florestano di Fausto) - an impressive building from the time of the Italian occupation. Currently, there are many visitors coming here to restaurants, cafes and shops. This is a meeting place not only for guests of the city, but also for local residents. Behind the New Market, near Piazza Rimini, the park of the Palace of the Grand Masters, appropriately equipped for performances of light music. In the same area, itinerant artists of Rhodes set up their easels every morning, who paint portraits of passers-by with incredible accuracy and speed. Another gathering place for artists is located in the idyllic area of Platanakia on Orfeos Street in the Old City, near the Porta d'Amboise.

To the north of the port you can see a number of very interesting buildings. The first of these is the Church of the Annunciation, which is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rhodes, which was built by the Italians as a cathedral dedicated to St. John. The church is followed by the buildings of the Archbishop and the Palace of Government, whose architecture is a mixture of Byzantine, medieval and Spanish styles. A little further north is the Murat Reiz Mosque, built on the site catholic church Saint Anthony. It was the building of Suleiman II the Magnificent, which was a Turkish cemetery for nominal persons. On the extreme northern section of Mandraki rises the building of the Aquarium - one of the best of its kind. The aquarium represents the fauna of not only the Greek, but also the tropical seas, which are located in 25 tanks located like an intricate labyrinth. From here begins the coast of Rhodes with well-maintained beaches, which from May to October take many vacationers.

A visit to the lush Rodini Park with canals and small lakes, as well as the zoo, is also worth visiting.

Throughout the New Town you can find recreation centers (discotheques, bars, taverns with Greek music), most of which are located outside the northern section of the city wall, west of Mandraki. Near the Miauli embankment is the casino of Rhodes, and the national theater is located on Vasilissis Olgas Square. The performance of art groups performing folk dances very often takes place in the summer months at the Folk Dance Theater, which is located in the Old Town on Andronikou Street. In addition, the city of Rhodes presents its guests with ample shopping opportunities. It is home to the world-famous market for perfumes and drinks, as well as a wide range of umbrellas. The island is also famous for its wines, especially the CAIRO brand champagne.

Gallery

Ancient Theater - Acropolis of Rhodes

Remains of the Temple of Aphrodite, circa 3rd century BC e.

Laocoon and his sons; Palace of the Grand Master

Rhodes is one of the most popular islands Greece. There are many reasons for this, but the main ones are the excellent beaches located on the south east coast, many castles, a beautiful medieval capital, as well as the southern wild coast with Cape Praso - one of the best places in Europe for windsurfing. In this article, we will describe the main cities of Rhodes, their attractions, as well as tell you about the most interesting places on the island and about the excursions that you will probably be offered here.

Rhodes City: Palace of the Magisters

In the northern part of the Greek island is the city of Rhodes, the capital. It has two sides. One part of the city of Rhodes is a fabulous settlement of the Middle Ages, which is surrounded by ancient fortifications. Street of the Knights of St. John crosses it. It has preserved its medieval appearance so well that it seems as if it was transferred here from the filming of a film dedicated to the life of our ancestors. The Palace of the Grand Masters rises at the end of the street. It was built in the 14th century. Very beautiful gates lead to the palace-fortress, huge towers rise on both sides. Inside the building - luxurious halls, decorated with wood carvings and lined with expensive furniture from different eras. The Palace of the Magisters is at the same time a fortress. It has fortifications, as well as extensive underground warehouses. In the 40s of the 20th century, the palace-fortress was restored, and today it receives numerous tourists.

Modern Rhodes

The second side of the city of Rhodes is a modern resort town. Here you will come across a bustling evening life, innumerable shops, beautiful buildings and wide streets. Hundreds of hotels are located in the Rhodes city area - from very modest to chic. In addition, there are many bars and restaurants, trendy discos, casinos and clubs. All this contributes to the fact that tours to Rhodes are very popular today.

The Colossus of Rhodes

Mandraki is a port, which is the main attraction of the capital. It was here, according to legend, that the Colossus of Rhodes, considered one of the 7 wonders of the world, was located. It was a bronze statue 37 meters high, which was created by the sculptor Haret in 285 BC. e. She portrayed Helios, the god of the sun. During what happened in 227 BC. e. earthquake destroyed the statue. On the pillars there are now 2 bronze statues of deer, which are the emblem of Rhodes.

"Butterfly Valley"

Another place that you should definitely visit if you arrive in the city of Rhodes (Greece) is the "Valley of the Butterflies". This reserve is located about 30 kilometers from the city. Otherwise, it is called the Petaludes Valley (this is the name of the municipality to which the "Valley of the Butterflies" belongs). This is actually not a valley at all, but a narrow park stretching along the gorge to the top of the hill. Here you can admire the beauties of nature, picturesque bridges over clear streams, lush vegetation, waterfalls and, of course, colorful butterflies that sit on the crowns of trees and flowers.

Aquarium

It is very interesting to observe underwater world seas. The city of Rhodes (Greece) offers guests an interesting aquarium, which operates as a research institution and as a museum. Since 1930 there has been a biological station here. The collection originally included living and formalized inhabitants of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas that wash the island. However, in 1963 the concept changed. The aquarium today is an underground labyrinth with 25 pools built into the walls. They contain the rarest and interesting inhabitants the seas surrounding Rhodes. These are coral polyps, octopuses, crabs, mollusks, sea stars, hedgehogs and different kinds fish.

Lindos

What other interesting places does the island of Rhodes offer its guests? Its sights are numerous, but it is worth talking about Lindos separately. This is one of the most important tourist sites. Its Acropolis is the second largest and largest in Greece. They are rightfully proud of the island of Rhodes, the sights of which are simply impossible to describe without mentioning it. It can be reached on foot or on donkeys, acting as the "city taxi" of the city of Lindos. The main attraction of the Acropolis is the temple of Athena Lydia. He was visited by King Menelaus of Sparta, known to us from the Iliad, as well as Alexander the Great.

Lindos (Rhodes) is the oldest city on the island. More than 3 thousand years is its age. IN ancient times Lindos (Rhodes) was a port state with active trade links with Mediterranean cities. Today it is a small resort area located on the Mediterranean Sea (on west coast). It captivates with the charm of the seaside provincial town. This place has all the conditions for recreation: beautiful sandy beaches, many cafes and restaurants, fountains, winding streets.

A large number of attractions you will find in Lindos. Here is the ancient Greek Acropolis, which rises above the city. Here is the temple of Athena of Lindos. In addition to ancient buildings, the Byzantine churches of the Archangel Michael and St. John, as well as the chapel of St. Paul, have survived to this day.

Piyes-Kalitheas

If you follow from the capital to the southeast, then the first stop should be made in Piyes-Kaliteas, a resort village located 7 km from the city. In 1928-29 it was built up almost completely according to the project of P. Lombardi, who is the architect of the building of the European Parliament, located in Strasbourg.

Faliraki

A little to the south (10 km from the airport and 14 from the capital) begins Falirakion (Filaraki, Rhodes). Reviews about visiting this ultra-modern resort area are always the most positive. This is a trendy place where you will find many discos, bars, water park and amusement park. Perhaps the local beach is the best equipped in Rhodes. It offers umbrellas, sun loungers, bars and restaurants, as well as various water sports. The beach with golden sand stretches for 4 km. And it is here that you will find a place reserved for nudists, the only one on the island.

Faliraki keeps ancient monuments. Several local quarters date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. One can single out among the sights the Church of St. Nektarios. The picturesque area of the village is the embankment, where there are all kinds of bars, restaurants and cafes.

You can take a 40-minute boat trip along the coast to the city of Rhodes, round trip. Its cost is 6.5 euros. Here you will also see the largest stable on the island, where both adults and children under six years old can take riding lessons (they cost 20 euros). You can just watch or take part in preparing a horse or pony for a walk. A trip to Mount Placida will cost you 25 euros, and to Tragana ( pebble beach) - 30 euros. In addition, you can take a horse ride to the ancient monastery, located at the lake of St. John, for 60 euros.

Kallithea

From Faliraki to Kallithea is only 10 minutes by bus. This city is famous healing terms located by the sea, nightlife, beaches. You can also go scuba diving here. Along east coast Rhodes stretches Kallithea and includes the villages of Psinthos and Koskina.

Entrance to the Baths of Kallithea will cost you 4 euros, for children - free of charge. Most of the salons in Faliraki, in addition to the usual spa services, also offer "fish peeling". Your feet are placed in an aquarium with fish, which cleanse the skin with a light tickle, toning it. Such a pleasure costs 8 euros, and its duration is 30 minutes.

Gulf of Afandou

The next stop should be made behind Cape Ladiko. Here begins the sand and pebble bay of Afandou, or Apandon - a large beach with an undeveloped infrastructure, but almost always calm. There is a 16th century church of Panagia Katholiki with ancient frescoes.

Kolymbia

Kolymbia is a young and small developing resort located 5 km from Afandou. It is located near Rhodes and until recently was small village. But a lot has changed lately: expensive restaurants, fashionable hotels, souvenir shops and shops have appeared. Of the attractions, the nearby village of Archangelos should be noted. The local craftsmen of this village make pottery and handmade carpets. In addition, you can visit the Valley of the Seven Springs, a very beautiful place.

The west windward coast of the island is more humid, wooded and fertile than the rest of it. If you move from the capital from north to south, you can see the excavations of Kameiros, ancient city, as well as Castro Critinias, the most impressive knight's castle Rhodes.

Ialyssos and Ixia (Rhodes)

These are resorts bathing Aegean Sea. Mount Filerimos, towering here, divides the valley into 2 cities: Ixia and Ialyssos (Rhodes). On top of it you can find the ruins of ancient temples dedicated to Zeus and Athena. The capital, the city of Rhodes, is about 7 kilometers from here. Winds often blow in this place, which contributes to the development of water sports: yachting, windsurfing, kitesurfing. In addition, jeeping, mountain biking, horseback riding are offered. If you are interested in history, you can visit not only the ruins of the temples of Zeus and Athena dating back to the Ancient Greek period, but also the church of St. Nicholas built by the Byzantines.

Ialyssos and Ixia (Rhodes) are prosperous and very popular resorts. This is due to the fact that their location is very good: they are located between the capital of the island and the airport.

Excursions in Rhodes

The sights that we have listed are only a small part of what you can see while on vacation on this island. A street agency or a hotel will surely offer you many options. exciting journey, For example:

To the islands of Tilos and Symi (cost - from 25 euros);

- "Pirate journey" around the islands with the search for hidden treasure;

Sightseeing tour around the island with a barbecue;

Visit to "Greek night" with mass sirtaki.

Of course, this list does not include all excursions in Rhodes. Keep in mind that traveling with a rented car or bus on your own will cost less than those bought from a tour operator or street agency. However, if this is your first time on the island, it is better to use the services of guides (their cost is included in some tours to Rhodes). They will tell you everything about the history of the island, which they know and love, and will surely be able to infect you with love for this piece of land, which is washed by the waters of two seas.

The founding date of ancient Rhodes is considered to be 408 BC. e. The purpose of its creation was to control the ships in the Aegean Sea. In the III-II centuries. BC e. Rhodes has reached an unprecedented rise and prosperity, becoming the largest transit trade center in the Eastern Mediterranean.

From the 4th century n. e. by 1309 the city had the status of the capital of the Kivirrets theme. Since 1309, Johnites came to the island. Under them, Rhodes became the capital of the Order. In 1522, the Turks captured Rhodes, while all the Greeks were expelled, and the city was rebuilt in a Muslim way. Only in 1912, the Italians began to own Rhodes, and they also rebuilt the city in a new way.

Climate and weather

The Mediterranean climate of Rhodes gives tourists and locals mild winters and cool summers, which allows you to relax here all year round. The average temperature in winter is +14 °С, and in summer - +28 °С. At the height of the holiday season, the gentle sea breeze softens the heat, which gives vacationers the opportunity to acquire a perfectly even bronze tan. This weather also allows tourists to spend more time on excursions.

Nature

Butterfly Valley is the most romantic place on the island. This natural attraction will amaze you with its rich vegetation, many graceful fluttering butterflies and a small stream. Already at the first visit to the Valley, hardly anyone will want to leave this piece of paradise.

Attractions

The most attractive feature of Rhodes is the rich historical cultural heritage. Many ancient monuments will plunge you into the atmosphere ancient history islands. Most of attractions are located in the Medieval part of Rhodes, or Medieval city. The long Turkish rule on the island left behind a rich legacy: the Sultan Mustafa Mosque, the Suleiman Mosque, the oldest Muslim library. But Ancient and modern Greece left more monuments: the Church of St. George, the Church of St. Paraskeva-Friday, the Church of the Virgin Chora.

The most popular and revered places in the city are also the Rhodes Fortress, the mentioned Valley of the Butterflies, the Palace of the Grand Masters, Archaeological Museum, Sea Gates and the fountain "Sea Horse". If you decide to walk around Rhodes on your own, without a guide, follow the direction to the Street of the Knights, it is it that is full of sights.

Nutrition

Hospitable Rhodes restaurants Nireas (Sofocleous 22), Tamam (Leontos Georgiou 1) and Agalma (Alexandrou Diakou 68) will treat you to delicious Greek cuisine, charm with their service and envelop the fantastic atmosphere of the island.

In Rhodes, you can easily find both luxurious expensive hotels where stars prefer to stay, as well as small cozy hotels located away from the bustle of the city in remote bays.

The best places to stay, according to tourists vacationing in Rhodes, are Spirit of the Knights Boutique Hotel 4*, Zacosta Villa Hotel 4* and Camelot hotel 3*.

Entertainment and recreation

Rhodes, the capital of the island of the same name, will meet you not only with endless sandy beaches and the azure gentle sea, but it will also open up endless possibilities for a stunning, memorable vacation for a lifetime. Even the most demanding tourists can discover a lot here. On Rhodes, you can combine in your vacation a quiet, relaxing pastime in cozy bungalows, wild entertainment in local bars and clubs, as well as a variety of sports and exciting excursions.

Purchases

The port of Rhodes is constantly visited by ships from Europe and the United States, which raises the level of trade in this region a step above the rest. local shops and shopping centers offer a wide range, high quality, many hard-to-find goods and, most importantly, low prices. The fact is that the VAT rate in Rhodes is lower than in other cities of Greece. So don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of this. The shops of Rhodes will offer you huge selection bags and suitcases, fur and leather products, ceramics, jewelry and carpets.

And for souvenirs, it is better to immediately go to Socratus Street, where there are many antique shops and souvenir shops.

Transport

There are no problems with transport in Rhodes. You can move around the island by bus - there are 2 routes on the northwestern and eastern coasts. To the east - from East Side Bus Station, which is located on Rimini Square, to Faliraki. To the west - from the West Side Bus Station, located on Averof to the airport and beyond. It is worth noting that as you move south, the frequency of buses decreases.

There are also fixed-route taxis and just a taxi in the city (you can find out the tariff in any tourist office islands). In addition, it is easy to rent a scooter or car in Rhodes. Before luxurious beaches on the east coast, tourists get on ships that depart daily from the capital. The neighboring islands of Rhodes can be reached by boat, catamaran or hydrofoil.

Connection

Even in this remote paradise of Greece, you can always be in touch. Many entertainment establishments, as well as hotels, offer free Wi-Fi access.

You can make regular landline calls from your hotel (you need a credit card to pay) or from telephone booths in the city (using a prepaid card or a few dimes). Mobile communication you can also connect here. SIM cards are sold at all newsstands and in many stores. You can also buy prepaid cards there. The seller of such services will always help and explain which tariff plan most beneficial for you.

Safety

Rhodes is a small island, the population here is welcoming and friendly, but you should not walk with an open bag. Elementary rules of caution must be observed here. First of all, keep an eye on your personal belongings in public places. Leave large amounts in the hotel safe, and take only the necessary amount of cash to the city.

Real estate

The island of Rhodes, rich in history, is home to the most prestigious Greek real estate. The cost of houses and apartments in this region is prohibitively high. However, if you spend a little more time and effort searching, you can find an interesting offer.

Between April and October, Rhodes hotels are filled with tourists, therefore, going to this Greek island book your accommodation in advance. If the purpose of your trip is more of a sightseeing nature, go to Rhodes in the spring - this is the most favorable time for long walks. At other times of the year, remember to bring sunscreen or an umbrella, depending on the weather.

Consider Interesting Facts about Rhodes in a nutshell. The island has a rich cultural heritage, the ruins of ancient cities, fortresses, castles, palaces and acropolises have been preserved here.

Rhodes is famous for one of the 7 wonders of the world - Colossus of Rhodes, 37 meters high, erected in 285 BC. e., which was located in the port of Mandraki at the entrance to the harbor. The Colossus of Rhodes personified the ancient Greek Sun God Helios. Outwardly, the Colossus of Rhodes represented a huge young man, in one hand he had a bow with arrows, and the other hand with a bowl was raised high above his head.
The Colossus of Rhodes was destroyed by an earthquake in 227 BC uh. Now from this wonder of the world there are columns on which statues of deer are located.
For the first time about the Rhodes ancient cities learned the medieval world when the athlete of antiquity Diagor won in Olympic Games . Now the airport "Diagoras" is named after him.
According to the myths of ancient Greece, the island of Rhodes belonged to the solar god Helios son of the titan Hyperion. The Greeks believe that the god Helios fell in love with the nymph Rhode, the daughter of Amphitrite and Poseidon. The island of Rhodes was named after Rhoda.
The island of Rhodes was the most important center bronze age (16th century BC), thanks to cooperation with the Minoan civilization of the island of Crete.
During the construction of Constantinople Hagia Sophia used clay tiles from the island of Rhodes.

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Facts about Rhodes

The first settlers of Rhodes were islands of Crete, then the Phoenicians and Dorians.
The Greeks believe that the first settlement on the island of Rhodes was founded by the hero of the myths of ancient Greece. Hercules (Hercules). However, historians have found that fishermen were the first to settle in Rhodes, who took refuge here from storms in the sea.
The city of Rhodes, where medieval buildings are well preserved, was founded in 5th century BC with the unification of the political forces of Lindos, Ialissa and Kamiros.

Medieval city of Rhodes: interesting facts

The medieval old town of Rhodes is listed in UNESCO world heritage list.
The fortress in the city of Rhodes is one of the largest in Europe.
Along the perimeter, the walls of the Rhodes fortress are about 4 km.
Emblem of the Knights of Rhodes eight pointed white cross, depicted on many buildings on the island. Now this cross is called the Maltese.
In the Middle Ages, the island of Rhodes was divided into 2 parts: Kollachiy and Burg. Knights and masters settled in Collachia. Ordinary people lived in Burg. Knights and masters built a large number of beautiful buildings and structures, some of which have survived to this day.
The medieval city of Rhodes was surrounded by a 4-kilometer stone wall that protected it from invaders. It was possible to get to Rhodes only through one of 11 gates.
In the old town of Rhodes there is a medieval Street of the Knights. It dates from the 14th century and has been completely restored today. This street housed the Knights Hospitallers (Johnites) who visited Rhodes. Now you can see the medieval knight's residences - auberge.
The fortress in the old town of Rhodes was the center collachia where the knights of Rhodes lived. They could also hide here. locals from dangers. The fortress withstood several earthquakes, but was destroyed by an accidental explosion in 1856. Drawings were found in the fortress of Rhodes, according to which historians and architects were able to recreate the original appearance of many buildings and structures. Nowadays, historical expositions are exhibited in the fortress in the old town of Rhodes.
One of the most memorable architectural monuments of the Rhodes fortress on the street of the Knights of St. John of the Middle Ages is Palace of the Grand Masters (Castello) built in the 14th century. It looks very impregnable - like a fortress within a fortress. The cathedral itself is square in shape with a courtyard closed from prying eyes. There are 205 halls and rooms in the palace, where expositions are now exhibited. Nowadays, the palace can be visited with a guided tour. The entrance fee in 2019 is 6 euros.
In battles, the knights went out dressed in red cloaks under armor so that no blood can be seen when injured. The knights fought fiercely and did not show that they were wounded until they fell dead.
Knights Hospitaller of St. John were in Rhodes 213 years old and left a colossal cultural and historical heritage.
In 1522, after a 6-month siege, Rhodes fell and was conquered. Suleiman the Magnificent. The knights had to leave Rhodes, and Charles V and the Pope were forced to look for the knights new house in Malta. After the current events, the Rhodes knights began to be called the Maltese.
The Rhodes knights left their legacy on everyone Dodecanese islands, as well as on the coast of Asia Minor - now it is a city Izmir in Turkey.

Interesting facts about Rhodes: the city of Lindos

Lindos is home to the world's only ancient Greek Olympic Stadium. It is considered an analogue of the stadium of ancient Olympia.
Acropolis in Lindos was founded 2600 years ago and has survived to this day. It is surpassed in popularity only by the Acropolis in Athens. Here is the temple of Athena of Lindos. Now it can be visited with a guided tour. The entrance fee in 2019 is 12 euros.
Marble sculpture of Nike of Samothrace was created by the hands of the sculptor Pythocrites from Lindos in 190 BC. partly in Rhodesian marble. It was later discovered on the island of Samothrace. Now this sculpture can be seen in the Louvre in France.

Rhodes Island: Interesting Facts

The city is located on Rhodes Kamiros, which is one of the 3 ancient cities of the island. The other two are Ialyssos and Lindos. The city prospered at the expense of agriculture. Kamiros cooperated in trade with Asia Minor and the southeastern Mediterranean. Now you can see the ruins of the ancient city.
In the village Asklipio, named after the ancient Greek god of medicine, in the southeast of Rhodes there is an ancient Orthodox church of the Assumption of the Virgin in the Byzantine style. The temple dates back to the 11th century and has survived to this day. This is the oldest temple on the island of Rhodes.
In the 1st century BC. adopted in Rhodes Christianity, and the metropolitan from Rome moved here. When the Turks captured the island of Rhodes, they rebuilt all the Christian churches into mosques. Later, when the Turks were driven out, the inhabitants of the island converted all the mosques into temples.
Rhodes has become a place of pilgrimage to Church of Saint Tsambika, which is considered the patroness of those who want to have children. People from all over Greece come to pray to her. neighboring countries. You can read many wonderful stories when Saint Tsambika helped even in the most hopeless situations.
In the city Ialyssos the Acropolis of Achaia and the ruins of ancient temples, which were erected in honor of Athena and Zeus, have been preserved.

Rhodes is included in the Schengen area. The main currency on the island is the euro.
The island of Rhodes is located at the confluence of two seas - Aegean and Mediterranean. The boundary between them is clearly visible, and the waters do not mix.
Rhodes has over 300 sunny days a year.
In Rhodes, the temperature never drops below -3 degrees.
Much of Rhodes' budget comes from tourism income.
Rodov Island rings two lane road, you can drive around in a circle in 2 hours.
Almost half of the island of Rhodes is occupied pine and cypress forests.
Rhodes is one of the most safest islands in the world.
The coastline is 225 km.
The whole island of Rhodes is inhabited by only 115,000 people from the local population. Of these, almost 50,000 are in the city of Rhodes. All in Rhodes there are 44 towns and settlements.
The name of the island "Rhodes" means "rose".
On the coat of arms of the island of Rhodes is depicted deer. The one that stands on a column in the place of the Ear of Rhodes.
Despite its small size, the island of Rhodes has airport. It's called Rhodes Airport. "Diagoras" and is located 14 km from the city of Rhodes in Paradisi.