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R O D O S - D E S C R I P T I O N
RODOS I SLAND – GEM OF THE MED I TERRANEAN
GEOGRAPHY
Rodos is located in the Southeastern Aegean and belongs to the
Dodecanese chain of islands. It is the biggest island of the group with
an area of 1 400 square kilometers and the coast line of 220 kilometers.
The highest point of the island is the mountain Attavyros (1 215 m). The
surface of the island is mostly hilly with patches of lush greenery.
MYTHOLOGY AND HISTORY
Tradition have it that once when Olympian gods were dividing the world
only the god of sun Helios was not there. Soon becoming aware of it
Zeus promised to give him any piece of land he chooses. So this is how
the island was brought to the sunlit and warm surface from the depth of
the sea. And Helios became the island god protector. Rodos got its name
from the Rhode, wife of Helios and daughter of Poseidon and Amphitri-
tae. Furthermore, Rodos was home to the Colossus of Rodos, one of the
world’s Seven Ancient Wonders. This immense statue was built around
293 BC and stood at the harbor entrance till 227 BC when the earth-
quake threw it down.
WHAT TO SEE
One of the most attractive places on the island is the Palace of the
Grand Masters that was built in the fourteenth century. This formida-
ble building impresses by its medieval grandeur. The main artery of
the city, the Street of the Knights, with official “Tongue” residences on
both sides, lead from the Palace to the Hospital. The Archaeological
Museum of Rodos is housed in the medieval building of the Hospital of
the Knights of the fifteenth century. It hosts collections and findings from
Ancient, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Platia Ippokratou (Hippocrates
square) is dominated by the knightly building of commercial court of
Kastellania. Open air theater, Museum of Ethnography, municipal gallery
(Pinakotheka), libraries, fragments of ancient and Byzantine temples,
churches, mosques, Turkish baths, synagogue – one can make this list
of attractions as long as they wish. Aquarium, the well-known Butterfly
Valley (Petaloudes).
Lindos Acropolis is one of the oldest of the kind in Greece. It occupies
the very top of the rocky mountain and was built on the site of the more
ancient temple around ninth century BC. It burnt out in 342 BC and later
on was rebuilt again. Beside the temple dedicated to Athena Lindia
there are many other constructions.
Rodos (Rhodes) is a magnificent island with rich
history and culture. Here you may lie on one of
its numerous golden and sunlit beaches. This
is the place where long ago was walking Cicero
and Cesar or maybe St. Paul was sharing his
beliefs and experience. Here centuries ago stood
the awe-inspiring stature of Helios known as
Colossus of Rodos.
