Rhodes Island, Greece - part 3 (Rhodes town) / Rodos, Rhodos /

One of the tourist hotspots of Greece, Rhodes (1412 sq km) is situated in the eastern Aegean Sea and is the largest of the Dodecanese islands. More than half of its inhabitants (island population now well over 100,000) live in the town of Rhodes (also spelled Rhodos, or Rodos). Rhodes town is still famous worldwide for the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

On the hill of Aghios Stephanos (Monte Smith) stands the Acropolis of ancient town, where the remains of the temples of Athena Polias, of the Pythian Apollo and of Zeus can still be seen (as well as the restored theatre and stadium dating from 3rd century BC).

Also known as the town of the Crusaders, the medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site. The Knights of Saint John built the fortifications in the 14th-15th century to protect the town. The northern part (known as Castello, or Kollakio) served as an administrative centre and as the residential quarter of the Knights (the Street of the Knights is one of the most beautiful spots of the old town); the other part, much larger, is known as Hora and includes the commercial centre of the town, where the Greeks, the Jews and the Westerners had their dwellings.

At the entrance of Mandraki harbour, the Saint Nicholas fort, the lighthouse, and the bronze reindeers atop tall columns - characteristic landmarks of Rhodes - can be seen.

Modern Rhodes has nothing special, but the Italian buildings near Mandraki old harbour are worth a visit; in the same area, the Mosque of Mourad Reis is one of interesting remnants of almost 400 years of Turkish presence on the island.

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[bagna007]

Excellent Much appreciated..Thank you