The mysterious lady in red walks through the empty beaches and lagoons of Rhodes...
The hill accross this bay carries the Acropolis of Lindos, the second largest town of Rhodes
Rhodes (Greek: Ρόδος, Ródos, Italian: Rodi; Ottoman Turkish: ردوس Rodos; Ladino: Rodi or Rodes) is a Greek island approximately 18 kilometres (11 mi) southwest of Turkey in eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, of which 53,709 resided in the homonymous capital city of the island.
Historically, Rhodes was famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site. Today Rhodes is a tourist destination. The coast line is over 220 kilometers. Rhodes is a very fertile island with rich cultivations and natural forests, especially at the South. It is famous for several agricultural products as fruits, olive oil and wine.
At the mountainous villages of the inland, there are also considerable stock-breeding and dairy products.
After a long and quite turbulent history, today the island is prosperous and famous again. It has been developed to a tourist island, offering high quality facilities and warm hospitality.
As a result it is a pole of attraction for many visitors and it is perhaps the most popular destination among the tourist resorts of Greece. Having an intense night life, it has gained in fame and many tourists come to the island to enjoy high quality amusement and nightlife for any taste.
Rhodes has been attributed several names , most of them very explicit : It has been called “ the island (or the daughter) of the sun ”, “the island of the Knights”, “the lady of the Aegean” etc.
Access to the island is possible by boat (at the central port of the town of Rhodes) and by plane (at the International Airport of Rhodes, called “Diagoras”, after the name of the famous ancient Olympic champion). There is also connection with most of the neighboring islands, as well as with the opposite Turkish coast by excursion boats.
The island of Rhodes is found at a distance of 260 nautical miles southeastern to Piraeus, with which it is connected every day by ferryboats, at least one in winter and more in summer.
The most comfortable way is of course to arrive by airplane. From El . Venizelos, the International Airport of Athens there are more than two flights to Rhodes everyday, all year round (in summer maybe more); there is also connection with Thessalonica, whereas in summer the island is connected with other cities and islands of Greece. In summer several charter flights from all around Europe are landed at the International Airport of the island.
There are also local connections, especially in summer, with several islands of the Dodecanese, of Cyclades and with Crete and the islands of the Northern Aegean, as well as with the Turkish coast across.
With in the island there is a good network of public buses that connect the capital town of Rhodes with the tourist resorts of the coast, as well as with the most important villages of the inland. Taxi is also a popular means of transportation, at least for the destinations found at short distance.
The town of Rhodes is connected daily with Lindos and Skala Kameirou by excursion boats. From Skala Kameirou excursion boats can get you to Chalki every day, or to Alimia for a short – stay excursion.
Of course, the best way to know the island is the car (rented or private). And, if you wish to go to most remote places, where cars have not access, the best way is to use a motorbike.
Popular culture
- In ancient times there was a Roman saying: "Hic Rhodus, hic salta!" -- "Rhodes is here, here perform your jump", an admonition to prove one's idle boasts by deed rather than talk. It comes from an Aesop's fable called "The Boastful Athlete", and was cited by Hegel and Marx.
- Many of the outdoor scenes of The Guns of Navarone (starring Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn) and Escape to Athena (starring Roger Moore and Telly Savalas) were filmed on the Island of Rhodes.
- In the Playstation 2 game God of War II, both Rhodes and the Colossus of Rhodes are featured at the start of the game, offering a mythological theory as to how the Colossus was destroyed.
- In one book of the Roman Mysteries series of children's novels, by Caroline Lawrence, the main characters visit Rhodes to stop the trading of slave labour.
- In Rise of Nations, the Colossus of Rhodes can be built as a 'Wonder'.
Archaeology
In ancient times, Rhodes was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Colossus of Rhodes. This giant bronze statue once stood in the harbour. It was completed in 280 BC but was destroyed in an earthquake in 224 BC. No trace of the statue remains today.
Historical sites on the island of Rhodes include the Acropolis of Lindos, the Acropolis of Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo, ancient Ialysos, ancient Kamiros, the Governor's Palace, Rhodes Old Town (walled medieval city), the Palace of the Grand Masters, Kahal Shalom Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter, the Archeological Museum, the ruins of the castle of Monolithos, the castle of Kritinia and St. Catherine Hospice.
"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -- Lao Tzu
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