According to ancient legend, the first ruler of the island of Rhodes was the eldest son of the nymph Rhoda and the sun god Helios, and the names of the younger ones were given to the cities on the island.
The island of Rhodes is a unique place, its culture and architecture traces the influence of Greece, Byzantium and medieval Europe. Tourists will find here both architectural marvels and beautiful beaches and magnificent nature. In addition, Rhodes is home to
many myths and legends.
By the way, this is where the famous Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was once located: a huge statue dedicated to the sun god.
The beautiful young man stood at the entrance to the port of Rhodes, with sunlight coming from his head and a huge torch in his hands, which, according to legends, served as a lighthouse. The statue has not survived to this day, it was destroyed by a powerful earthquake, but its image is found almost everywhere on the island.
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Due to its location, Rhodes has long attracted people's attention. For centuries it has been a trading center, as it was located at the crossroads of trade routes. The peak of its development was in the 5th century BC, the heyday of the great Hellenic civilization. It must be said that this island has had a very turbulent history. At different times the island was part of great empires: first Roman, then Byzantine, then it was ruled by the Turks, for some time it belonged to Spain, and only in the second half of the twentieth century, after the Second World War, it became part of Greece.
It is only natural that all this has left an indelible mark on the face of the island, in its architecture, culture, manners and habits of its inhabitants. And it is partly due to this that a large number of tourists come here every year. The second reason lies in the climate of Rhodes. Three hundred days a year the warm sun shines over it, which attracts tourists here no less than its rich history.
The capital of the island, Rhodes is a crossroads of different cultures. Its architecture is amazingly diverse, with everything from ancient Greek temples to ultra-modern buildings. The city was founded in 408 BC. When archaeological excavations were conducted here, several ancient buildings were found, such as the small theater, which has been completely reconstructed today, the temple of Athena Pallada, the ancient stadium,...
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The medieval part of the city is located behind a strong fortress wall. Cobbled streets, narrow alleys... This is where you can see the Grand Master's Palace and the castle palace. The building of the Knight's Hospital is also located here. Now it houses the local archaeological museum, which, by the way, you should definitely visit.
The Turkish Quarter is not to be overlooked either. Here you can see the Suleiman Mosque, the library and the famous Clock Tower.
Antiquity lovers will also find plenty to admire outside the city: Kamiros, also known as the "Pompeii of Rhodes", is a must-see. Not far from Kamiros is the world famous Butterfly Valley. It is a beautiful place in itself, but it is famous for the fact that in summer many butterflies from all over Europe come here. This is a truly extraordinary sight and well worth seeing.
The city of Lindos is also of interest to tourists. It stands on the site of a destroyed ancient city. Some of the buildings have survived from those times, such as the sanctuary of Athena. There is also the Church of St. John, as well as the ruins of the Court of Knights.
Most of the tourist centers of the island are located on its northern coast. This is where the best hotels, restaurants, traditional fish taverns, casinos and various variety shows are located. It is in this part of the island that the nightlife is most active.
We should not forget what else Rhodes is famous for, namely the unique local ceramics. In addition, in small villages people still weave carpets by hand. In general, it makes sense to buy fur coats, leather goods, bags and suitcases on this island.
Getting to the island is not difficult. Rhodes has an international airport, which is one of the best in Greece. You can also get here by sea. You can move around the island in different ways. Firstly, there are buses and tourist buses running around Rhodes, and secondly, you can rent a car or a motorcycle to drive around the island on your own.
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That's what Rhodes is: mysterious, unique, diverse. The intertwining of cultures in everything from architecture to cuisine is its true essence. And you can understand it only by visiting it yourself. There is something for everyone: beach lovers, sightseers, athletes and nature lovers will all find something to do in this truly paradisiacal corner of the world.