RHODES
AN ISLAND TO EXPLORE !
When the Gods divided the world between themselves,so an ancient legend goes,Helios(the sun god) noticed an island emerging from the sea.He was so fascinitaed by its beauty that he immediately asked Zeus whether he might have this island as his share. Rhodes was that island. An island that glided,and glides stil,like a dolphin,over the waves in the transparent seas of the south-eastern Aegean,where West meets East.
Wreathed in golden beaches,with bright gren hills and valleys,and bathed in the light of the god Helios, it is a place favoured by nature,made on a human scale.Rhodes today offers the visitor a plethore of all year round leisure alternatives,covering all types of tourist activity.
WHERE TO SEE :
• The aquarium is in the northernmost tip of the city. It is the most important marine research center in Greece.
• Mandraki was one of the five harbours of ancient Rhodes.The modern marina welcomes any number of yachts and sailing boats everyday and from here leave the day-trip boats bound for Symi and Lindos. In the background is the impressive Nea Agora ( New Market ) complex,today’s city shopping center.
• The elegant Prefecture building,built in the 1920’s as a residence fort he Italian Governor,the Evangelismos Church (based on the design of a destroyed church of the Knights of Saint John),and the National Theatre, where plays and concerts ocur throughout the year,keep the memories of the island’s Italianate past alive.
• The renovated interior of the historical Hotel of the Roses now houses the Casino of Rhodes in a luxuring setting.
• The Temple of Aphrodite,from the 3rd century BC.The ruins were discovered in the heart of the city,between Mandraki and Akandia harbours.
• The Grand Master’s Palace, the most imposing edifice in the Old Town was the headquarters of the leader of the Order of the Knights of Saint John, and at the same time a strong fortness.
• The famous Street of the Knights ( Ippoton ),the most important and imposing street in the Collachium,leading to the Grand Master’s Palace.
• Hippocrates Square at the end of Socrates Street,the main shopping thoroughfare of the Old Town.Around the square are many bars, resturants and night clubs.
• The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes now occupies the building that once formed the main hospital of the Knights.
• Gren Filerimos is teh site of the ancient acropolis of Ialysos with its temple of Athena Polias.
• In Faliraki the blue sea touches the golden sand.Everyday hundreds of holiday-makers visit this long beach to swim,enjoy the bright sun and to have fun with the water sports there.
• The famous Petaloudes Valley, a setting of rare natural beauty.With its myriads of panaxia quadripunctaria butterflies,it atracts thousands of visitors who follow the paths through the luxuriant vegetation and along the clear running streams.
• Epta Piges (Seven Springs) is a valley flowing with clear springs and covered with enormouse plane and pine trees.
• The traditional architectural style and decoration of the houses in Lindos continue to impress visitor.The magnificent entrances open on to flower-filled courtyards,their floors decorated with black and white elaborate designs complementing their surroundings perfectly.
• The acropolis of Lindos,built on a streep rock 116 metres high, is a natural watchtower facing the open sea.
• Saint Paul’s bay,South of the acropolis at Lindos.The white chapel is dedicated to Saint Paul,who landed here in 43AD to preach Christianity.
