Places To Visit In Rhodes

Places To Visit In Rhodes.

*The Acropolis (2.5 km from town)*
	Columns from the Temple of Apollo, foundations of the Temples of Zeus and of Athena, the fully restored stadium and theatre, a gymnasium, all part of the second-century B.C. acropolis, have been excavated on the incongruously named Monte Smith, from whose height the British Admiral Sir Sydney Smith watched the movements of Napoleon's fleet in 1802. Panoramic view across the island and the numerous fine beaches on the southeast and southwest coast, with their luxury and first-class hotels and bungalows.
*Rodini Gardens (4 km south)*
	An exquisite park with quickflowing streams, waterlily ponds and dense vegetation. The woodland paths are delightfully screened by overhanging branches. The past is represented by a graceful broken aqueduct and the so called Tomb of the Ptolemies overgrown with plants.
Kallithea (10 km southeast)
	A small but elegant spa on the coast. The medicinal springs are taken for kidney and liver complaints as well as for arthritis.
Ialysos (15 km)
	The least well-preserved of the three original cities. The third-century B.C. Temple of Athena furnished some of the building material for an early-Christian Basilica, now equally ruined. On the acropolis, atop wooded Mount Philerimos (270m.), the knights of St. John constructed a Monastery in the 15th century, restored by Franciscan Brothers in 1931, it is now once again deserted. The bronze Stations of the Cross are scattered through the handsomely laid-out formal garden, where broad flights of steps are bordered by mournful cypresses. The frescoes of the 14th-century underground chapel have been retouched. Excellent view over the interior of the island, including the international airport.
*Valley Of The Butterflies (Petaloudes, 25 km)*
	A luxuriant green ravine, where huge trees shade the numerous rushing streams. At certain times of the year thousands of butterflies (Jersey Tiger Moths) fill the air, resembling a rainbow spray.

*Kamiros (34 km, southwest)*
	The road follows the west coast through picturesque villages and lovely scenery to the widespread ruins rising white from a green carpet of grass on a gentle hill overlooking the sea. Six Doric columns of a stoa or portico have been reerected near the Temple of Athena. Traces of the underground water supply witness the advanced state of this ancient city.

*Prophitis Ilias (52 km)*
	At a hight of 800m dense pine and spruce forests in a magnificent mountain scenery offer welcome escape from the heat of summer.

Lindos (56 km)

This was the great maritime base whence in ancient times the Rhodians set forth to colonise the western Mediterranean, founding among others Parthenope, now Naples, in Italy. Now the Acropolis of Lindos, its walls crowing a spectacular cliff descending sheer to the sea, is a rare and eminently interesting mixture of antiquity and the Middle Ages. The mighty Fortress of the Knights, strengthened even further by later Turkish defenders, is entered through a stoa (88m long), 20 of whose original 42 Doric columns have been reerected. On the very edge of the precipice rises the great third-century B.C. Temple of Athena Lindia, so much venerated by Alexander the Great that he even entrusted his will to the safe keeping of the Rhodian Republic. The 27 tiers of the theatre are hollowed into the southwest flank of the cliff. The relief of a ship is carved into the east side of the rock. Much reduced in size since its ancient days of glory, the village nestles at the foot of the acropolis above a fine sandy beach. Behind walls, in streets too narrow for cars, the large houses with architectural elements borrowed from the Byzantines and Arabs retain a medieaval atmosphere. Some of the early 17th-century houses are veritable museums of popular art, with lovely collections of Rhodian plate in brilliant colours and a great variety of design, often embedded into the walls. This costly plate was manufactured in Asia Minor, where Persian poters had been forcibly settled by Sultan Selim I in the beginning of the 16th century. But the taste caught on, the islanders started their own production, which continues till today, concentrating largely on the island's symbols, the deer and roses, colour-fully depicted on dishes and ashtrays to the satisfaction of tourists. Equally popular are the delicate embroideries which are wholly indigenous. The 13th-century Byzantine Church, dedicated to the Dormition of the Order of Virgin, possesses some fine frescoes, somewhat overrestored in the 18th century. A detour to the Epta Pighes (Seven Springs), an attractive shady spot, is recommended on the return journey.

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