As we approached Rhodes the city looked intriguing with big hotels, an old city wall, a medieval castle and examples of Ottoman architecture. On first sight, it looked a little bit hotch-potch with with a mixture Greek, Turkish and British architecture. But we soon learnt that was the history of Rhodes on display.
We tied up at the wharf with a couple of smaller cruise ships, although a bigger one arrived a little later.
We tied up at the wharf with a couple of smaller cruise ships, although a bigger one arrived a little later.
Our shore excursion to Mount Filermos and Medieval Rhodes left at 9am. As we drove the 10 km to Mt Filermos our guide pointed out the various buildings we passed and filled us in on ancient and modern Rhodes. We could see the coast of Turkey across the sea, only 12 miles away. Always considering itself to be a Greek Island, its strategic location meant Rhodes has been occupied many times including by Romans, Alexander the Great, Turks, Crusaders, Italians, Germans and the British, all contributing to make the city the mix it is today. It became part of Greece again in 1947.
Today Rhodes is a popular tourist destination with huge hotels lining the roads along the coast, and straight across the road from the hotels, their associated deck chairs and umbrellas stretching along the "beaches" (pebbled shores).
After driving along the coast we turned inland through some narrow suburban streets not intended for a 50 seater bus. On the Plateau of Filerimos, 1000 feet above sea level is the Church of Our Lady from 15th century. Archeologists have found evidence of churches on this site going back to 5th century BC.
After driving along the coast we turned inland through some narrow suburban streets not intended for a 50 seater bus. On the Plateau of Filerimos, 1000 feet above sea level is the Church of Our Lady from 15th century. Archeologists have found evidence of churches on this site going back to 5th century BC.
There is also a Passion Walk with a large Cross at the end. The original cross was destroyed during WW 11 and was recently replaced using funds raised by Lions Clubs. There are noisy peacocks everywhere and a litter of cute kittens.
NOTE - next time I come to Italy or Greece I need to bring cat food. There are skinny little cats and kittens everywhere.
We returned to the city via the Acropolis and various ruined temples.
Next stop was a walking tour of the old town and the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of St John. The city walls were interesting with different conquerors contributing to the fortifications. The original wall was built with large sandstone blocks while the sections added or repaired by the crusaders used smaller square blocks. Slits in the walls for archers to fire arrows sat alongside wider gaps for caterpalts from a later period.
Rodos Palladium
Moat around old city
Parts of the old city walls used in scenes from the film Guns of Navaronne
Inside flash photography was allowed and much of the furniture and fittings were obviously in need of preservation. The beautiful mosaic tile floors are roped off but with no one there to supervise people walked on them in places. Entry was only 6 Euros. Maybe charge more and use the money to preserve the site. Anne and Bob visited in the afternoon but no sooner had they arrived than the lights went out and they were unable to continue their visit.
Floor mosaics
We walked down the Street of Knights where the Knights from all the different countries involved in the crusades lived. Each country had its own section and France still owns a building in the street. They also divided up the city wall with each country taking responsibility for the defence of their section.
Repairs on the Street of Knights
Apparently the old city is still inhabited but to us it just looked like tourist shop after tourist shop. It would be interesting to go back in the evening when all us tourists had moved on and see what it was like then. We did find a cafe in a quiet shady corner and enjoyed sharing calamari, Greek salad, fried zucchini and a couple of beers for lunch.
It was Indian food in the Colonnade so we opted for the patio grill's Chop House night. Three lamb chops! Greg is still recovering from the rough seas on Sunday night so was only eating salad so I passed a chop over to him.
The others all headed to bed but I stayed up and went to ag concert. I enjoyed the music played by Irish Flautist Gary Arbuthnot. Didn't get to bed till nearly 11pm- late night for me!
Rhodes promised so much but in the end I was a bit disappointed. There are lots of apartments and hotels to accommodate the summer visitors and loads of shops all selling the same thing. In almost every place we have been, the economy has changed in the last 20 years with the majority of the local population now relying on tourism for their income. We're visiting because of the history or beauty of the place but we're not the only ones, unfortunately. Everyone else wants to come here too! Damn them!