The cute fertile mountainous village of Emponas is situated at a distance of 52 kilometers southwestern to the town of Rhodes at an altitude of some 450 meters, at the foot of Attavyros, the highest mountain of the island. It has some 1.200 permanent residents who keep the traditional life style; they are famous all over the island for their songs, dances and feasts. Apart from all that, the village is famous for its wine, maybe the best wine of the island. The name of the village is a false pronunciation of the ancient word “ambon”, which means “mountainside”.

Accommodation and food and drink facilities are available in the village.

Close to the village you may visit the Natural Cypress-tree Wood, listed by the Greek State as Natural Monument with conservation status, since it is a very important biotope of considerable scientific value. The extent of the wood is more than 1,35 square kilometers; the public road from Emponas to Siannes passes through it.

A path departing from the village leads to the top of Mountain Attavyros, of an altitude of more than 1.200 meters. At a small artificial plateau on the top, you will see the ruins of the temple of Attavyrios Zeus, which, according to the myth had been built by the hero Athamenes, the founder of the ancient city of Kamiros. The place is mentioned in several ancient works, as well as in the works of more recent travelers, who came here to enjoy the excellent view of almost the whole complex of the Dodecanese, even of Crete, when the weather permits it.

Today, the village attracts many visitors who use to come here, especially in summer evenings, during the wine festivals with the traditional musicians and folk dances. Various cultural events take place during the wine festivals, as theatrical plays, artistic exhibitions and a bazaar of local traditional products. During these days the visitors, apart from other delicacies, have also the chance to taste the local must-jelly, “matsokofti” as it is called in the village.

The old part of the village, the “Pano Horio” (“upper village”) as the locals call it, is really worth a visit. You will stroll in the narrow paved streets, with the small whitewashed houses, similar to those of Cyclades. If there, you may also see the church dedicated to the Assumption of Virgin Mary, with a very nice wood-carved icon screen.

Don’t miss to visit the well known winery “Emery”, situated just off the village. Not only you will have the chance of a tour in the winery, but you will also taste various products as dry and “spumante” wines, local ouzo and liquors.

At a distance of 7 kilometers far from the village at the Southeast, you may visit the Holy Monastery of Artamitis, where it is worth seeing the nice icon screen, recently restored.

Within the village you may visit the local Folk Museum, housed in a traditional house donated by the poet Ioannis Konstantakis, originated from the village. You will see the household of past times, along with tools for agriculture and souvenirs and personal objects of the donator.

The residents of Emponas organize several cultural activities, the most important of which are the Wine Festival during the second fortnight of August and the great local religious feast (“panighyri”) on the 15 th of August, celebrating the Assumption of Virgin Mary.

In case of health problems, a local Medical Center is available in the village. There is also a Post Office.