INTRODUCTION
The island of Rhodes is situated at the crossroads of two major sea routes of the Mediterranean between the Aegean Sea and the coast of the Middle East, as well as Cyprus and Egypt. The meeting point of three continents, it has known many civilizations.
Throughout its long history the different people who settled on Rhodes left their mark in all aspects of the island's culture: art, language, architecture. Its strategic position brought to the island great wealth and made the city of Rhodes one of the leading cities of the ancient Greek world.
Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese. Its capital city, located at its northern tip, is the capital of the Prefecture with the Medieval Town in its centre. In 1988 the Medieval Town was designated as a World Heritage City. The Medieval Town of Rhodes is the result of different architectures belonging to various historic eras, predominantly those of the Knights of St. John.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT HISTORY
Knights' Period
In 1309 the island was sold to the Order of the Knights Hospitaliers of Saint John of Jerusalem. The Order was established in the 12th century in Jerusalem for the purpose of nursing pilgrims and crusaders, but soon enough it was transformed into a combat unit and acquired vast tracts of land.
Having retreated from Jerusalem and then Cyprus, the Order established its Headquarters on Rhodes, taking a leading role in the Eastern Mediterranean at this time.
During the Knights' era the fortifications were extended, modernized and continuously reinforced. Α hospital, a palace and several churches were among the many public buildings constructed at that time, offering interesting examples of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Ιn spite of the hostilities with the Ottoman Empire, sea trade was a source of wealth and the markets of the city were thriving. Under the Knights, the island had a period of prosperity and the relations between them and the local population was characterized by tolerance and often by close collaboration. Most of the streets of the Medieval Town coincided with those of the ancient city. The division of the town into two parts was retained. in Rhodes the Order kept a well-organized archive that included documents issued by its leadership, correspondence, notary acts, etc. The archive has survived and is found today in the National Library of Malta. It constitutes a valuable source of information for the period.
The city was divided into its two parts by an inner wall. The Northern part, known as Chastel, Chateau, Castrum, Castellum or Conventus, was the site of the Grand Master's Palace, the church of the Knights, the Latin Cathedral, the Catholic Bishop's residence, the various "tongues" quarters, the Knights houses, a hospital etc. The South part, known as ville, burgus or burgum was the area where the laymen lived and included the market, synagogues, churches and public and commercial buildings.
HOW TO GET THERE
BY SEA
ANES (Symi Sealines SA)
88, Australia Str., RhodesΤel. (0030) 2241037369
Blue Star Ferries
111, America Str., RhodesΤel. (0030) 2241075655, 2241022354
Dodekanisos Seaways
3, Australia Str., RhodesTel. (0030) 2241070590
GA Ferries
5, Sahtouri Coast, RhodesTel. (0030) 2241030406, 2241039839
LANE Sea Lines3
8, Aleksandrou Diakou Str., RhodesTel. (0030) 2241020625, 2241026745
BY AIR
Olympic Airlines
9, Ierou Lohou Str., Rhodes
Phone Center: (0030) 2241024571/2, 8011144444
Airport "Diagoras", Paradeisi
Tel.: (0030) 2241083403
Aegean Airlines
Airport "Diagoras", Paradeisi
Tel.: (0030) 2241098345, 2241082225
Fax: (0030) 2241082040, 2241082010
Reservations: (0030) 8011120000
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS (FOR GREECE +30)
Rhodes General Hospital
Phone Center: 2241080000
Emergency Number: 166 (applicable inside Greece)
Police
Emergency Number: 100 (applicable inside Greece)
Airport Department: 2241082882
Security Division: 2241023294Tourism Division: 2241027423
Fire Department
Emergency Number: 199 (applicable inside Greece)
Forrest Fire Center: 191 (applicable inside Greece)
Rhodes Port Authority: 2241022220, 2241028888
Greek National Tourism Organization
Phone Center: 2241044330
Prefecture of Dodekanese
Phone Center: 2241046500
ACCOMODATION
The city and island of Rhodes offer to their visitor accomodation services adopted for anyone to afford. In modern hotels, the visitor enjoys top-level touristic services. As exceptional as the accomodation is the conference infrastructure of our city and island, which often host international political, financial and academic meetings. Find more about your accomodation in Rhodes at the official website of Rhodes Hotel Association: www.rodosisland.gr. You can find all types of accomodation all over the island.
Ηotels, Traditional hotels, Hotels Apartments, Apartments, Rooms to let, Guesthouse, Studios, Villas, Pension, Mansion, Camping in Rhodes
BEACHES
AGATHI: This beach is 38 km South East of the city of Rhodes and 10 km from Lindos
AGHIOS PAVLOS: 2 beaches very close to Lindos
ANTONY QUINN: This beach is located in Vagies, a small, quiet bay, and it's the most famous beach in Rhodes
ASKLIPIO: A long beach with clear waters very close to the settlement
AFANDOU: Located at village Afandou
VLYCHA: This beach is mostly preferred by families
GENNADI: This sandy beach is located at the homonymous village
GLYSTRA: A quiet sandy beach, where the colours green, from the shore, and blue, from the sea, dominate
GLYFADA: Crystal waters and pine trees make up the landscape of this beach
IALYSSOS: This is probably one of the most organized beaches on the island
IXIA: This beach is next to the centre of Rhodes
KALATHOS: 4km of sand and sea!
KALLITHEA: A wonderful beach, with pine and palm trees
KIOTARI: A long, sandy beach with umbrellas and deck chairs
KOLYMBIA: Another well organized sandy beach
LADIKO: Small but beautiful sandy beach with some rocks around
LINDOS: One of the most crowded beaches on the island right in front of the homonymous resort
PEFKI: It's 56 km away from the city of Rhodes and very close to Lindos
PRASONISI: Excellent sandy beach on the southern part of the island
RHODES: one of the most famous beaches on the island
STEGNA: Only half a mile away from Archaggelos village
TRAGANOU: It's 15 km south east from the city of Rhodes and 4 km away from Faliraki
TSAMBIKA: This is a beautiful golden sandy beach 26 km south east of the city of Rhodes
FALIRAKI: Faliraki is universally famous for its night life and has one of the most beautiful and well organized beaches on the island
FOURNI: A small, quiet beach close to Monolithos with small rocks on it
CHARAKI: This beach is mostly recommended to families
SIGHTSEEING
Ancient Ialyssos
Archaelogical Site of Lindos
Acropolis of Rhodes
The National Theater of Rhodes
Churches
Museums
Rhodes Acquarium
Archaelogical museum
Municipal galery
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Visit the small island of Chalki
This island is called "The island of peace and friendship of all young people in the world" and it's ideal for quiet vacations. There's only one village built amphitheatric around the port with beautiful stone made houses.When you visit you must see the old tower with the clock across the town hall, and the church of St. Nicolas. Try the local cuisine, lamp stuffed with liver and rise and facorizo. Every year on September is the global meeting of youngsters.
Visit the island of Kastelorizo
Frontier Island with traditional houses, old churches and small beautiful port. Walking around the narrow streets, visiting the medieval castle the mosque and swim in the cave of Fokiali are only some of the things you can do in this island. By boat you can also visit smaller islands like Ro, St. George and Strogyli.Try the unique local cuisine with specials as giouvarlakia, baklavas and of course the fish is always fresh here.
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