Rhodes (Island) Things to Do

Unfortunately,as we were there in the middle of May we were just too early for seeing the butterflies appear.If you are there from end of May onwards there is a good chance you will see them.Do not be put off by this as the walk through the shaded green valley with its small river and beautiful waterfalls are a delight.Wooden benches are available along the way if you need a break.Suggest that you allow 1 - 2 hrs for this walk.

There is also a restored Italian house where you will find a museum of natural history,as well as a small restaurant and shop.Free parking on site.

THE PALACE OF THE GRAND MASTERS OF RHODES HAS MANY WONDERFUL WORKS OF ART, NONE MORE FAMOUS THAN THE STATUE OF LAOCOON, a Trojan priest, AND HIS TWO SONS, ANTIPHANTES AND THYMBRAEUS, BEING PURPORTEDLY PUNISHED BECAUSE LACOON HAD ATTEMPTED TO SPEAR THE TROJAN HORSE TO PROVE IT WAS FAKE AND WAS THEN PUNISHED BY ATHENA AND POSEIDON WHO SENT SEA SERPENTS TO KILL THEM. THE DEPICTION OF PAIN ON THEIR FACES MAKES THIS A CLASSIC

Lorraine wasn’t over keen on going to Rhodes but I convinced her it would be worthwhile. Besides, our recommended accommodation was in the old city (my choice) because I figured it would be good to soak up the atmosphere at night.
The fact that so much of the Knights Templar town is still intact and there’s a harbour, once graced by one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colossus of Rhodes. Though popularly depicted as straddling the harbour entrance, all indications are that it sat on one side of the entry. It lasted less than 60 years (as did all the wonders save the Pyramids); destroyed by an earthquake and later melted down for armaments.
Between the two rings of walls, where once was a moat, lie many concrete balls that would have been used by trebuchets or something similar. The cobbled streets, many wall-to-wall with colourful tourist shops these days, still have an air of authenticity about them.
Our cab ride to our accommodation was interesting. Vehicles aren’t allowed in, except those doing deliveries of goods or people, so we found our vehicle literally brushing past the hordes and faces staring at us from the other side of the glass; then, suddenly our driver pulled up, asked for directions from a cafe owner and he kindly showed us where our digs were; set right amidst an even narrower laneway where even motorcycles don’t go.
We rattled our luggage to Camelot, for that was its name, and stepped inside to meet Nina, the owner of said establishment. Our goods were quickly bundled up some steep wooden stairs and deposited into a room that was just as quickly deemed unsuitable by Lorraine so we were shifted to another, more spacious, abode, back down the steps and up some others. The advertised harbour views were non-existent; only if a significant cruise ship with a very tall mast were in the harbour would you see anything to do with water.

In my opinion you have to take a walk for a whole day in the medieval town There are a lot of narrow streets and the well preserved buildings are more than you can imagine. To feel the medieval atmosphere, you should be a part of the city ...

This is one street in Rhodes town that is a must see for anyone who visits.
The street is lined with the inns of the knights from there various countries of residence.
In this review I would like to show some of the many coats of arms that are to be seen on the various buildings.

Wondering around Lindos you cannot help but notice the many splendid decorated doors that are all over the village these are called the captains doors after the seafarers that owned many of the houses.
The following pictures are but a few of the many that are to be seen enjoy them.

Lindos, on Rhodes, is the archetypal Mediterranean village set around a bay whose waters are coloured with dreamlike hues and a clarity that tempts like a goddess, whose sublime narrow cobblestone streets in the village at one end of the beach tempt you ever onwards through the whitewashed residences to the essential domed church at the end whilst brooding above is the classic castle with Greek and Byzantine antecedents perched on a cliff top with a sheer drop to waters with the sparkling brilliance of a diamond cluster. It's about 52kms from Rhodes (the town) and if you get a fine day, hire a scooter - fantastic.

WHEN IN THE VILLAGE OF LINDOS,EVERYONE PASSES THE CHURCH OF PANAGHIA [VIRGIN MARY]
THIS BYZANTINE CHURCH DATES FROM THE 14 C AD AND IS FOUND IN THE CENTRE OF THE VILLAGE,IT CONTAINS A 17TH CENT ALTER SCREEN,AND A GREAT MANY WALL PANEL PAINTINGS,

THIS CASTLE OF KASTLELLOS BUILT BY THE KNIGHTS OF RHODES,IS A 16c CASTLE BUILT HIGH ABOVE THE SEA.
THE VIEWS FROM HERE ACROSS THE SEA ARE TRUELY BREATH TAKEING,YOU CAN SEE THE ISLANDS ALYMNIA,CHALKI,AND OTHER SMALL ISLETS.

THIS IS THE FIRST OF 2 PAGES ON THE VILLAGE OF SIANA,THE VILLAGE IS VERY
TYPICAL OF A RHODES VILLAGE,BEEN REALY ONLY ONE MAIN STREET.
WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE WELL WORTH A VISIT IS TWO FOLD IN THAT IT HAS A WONDERFUL CHURCH TO VISIT,AND IT PRODUCES A LOCAL DRINK FROM GRAPE SKINS CALLED SOUMA,[FIRE WATER] 52%

THIS OLD THEATRE DATES BACK TO THE 4 C. BC AND IS CARVED INTO THE ROCK FACE OF THE HILL, IT HAD 19 ROWS OF SEATS IN THE LOWER PART,AND 7 IN THE UPPER PART,AND HELD AN ESTIMATED 2000 SPECTATORS.
THERE ARE NO REMAINS OF THE STAGE,THE THEATRE IS CONNECTED WITH THE CULT OF ATHENA ON THE ACROPOLIS.
THIS SITE IS VERY OFTEN NOT VISITED BY A LOT OF VISITORS TO LINDOS,BUT IS WELL WORTH A VISIT.

THIS CASTLE RUINS ARE TO BE FOUND ON THE WEST COAST OF RHODES,THERE IS A VILLAGE HERE OF THE SAME NAME,ALAS THERE IS NOT A LOT TO BE ABOUT THE VILLAGE.
THE CASTLE WAS BUILT IN THE 15C ,AND OFFER FINE VIEWS OVER TO THE ISLAND OF CHALKI.
AND OF ADDED INTEREST THERE IS A SMALL CHAPEL,DEDICATED TO ST PANTRLEIMON.
A WORD OF WARNING THE WALLS CRUMBLING AND THERE IS A VERY STEEP CLIFF EDGE,SO BE VERY CAREFUL,PUT ON STOUT FOOTWARE.

Walk the street of the Medieval Knights of the Crusades. You are in awe of the amount of building that went on in Rhodes by the Knights from the 1100's AD to 1500's AD. They built strong, defensible walls, huge fortified gates, castles, hospitals, inns. They built a city instead of a fort and all for protection and peace when not off fighting their religious war. Where does the holy part of religion allow for the destructive side? I don't know the answer to what is good or evil and if it is only in the minds of those that believe that they are the good.

I do know that the Knights built a beautiful city of castles and the street of castles is not to be missed when in Rhodes. In the 1500's, after a six month battle, the Knights were defeated and given safe passage out of Rhodes by Suleiman the Magnificent, the Sultan of Turkey, who conquered Rhodes. In the early 1900's, Italy controlled Rhodes and in 1945, Rhodes was given to Greece. Where did the Knights go in the 1500's? Well, after roaming around for a few years they were granted room in Malta by the Emperor Charles V and the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. What about Rhodes. Well, it's still Greece and as I mentioned earlier, the beauty of the Knights work is still found on the street of Knights.

Koskinou is a very beautiful village just a few miles from Rodos Town. In Koskinou you can see traditional houses with beautiful courtyards unique to this island. The village also contains a beautiful church and is close to some nice beaches and eateries. This is a nice place to stop if you have time and would like to see how the people of Rodos live.

Kallithea is a nice small town to visit in the northeastern part of Rodos Island. Nearby are several small beaches to choose from. I chose to visit Tassos Beach. Tassos Beach appears very rocky, dry, and sandy, and may make you feel like you're on another planet. Depending on where you chose to sunbathe, you may have to wade carefully in shallow water for a couple minutes, but then you are rewarded with a swim in deep, cool water on a hot day. :)