indos lies on the east coast of the island at a distance of 56 Km away from the capital city of Rhodes. Like the old town of Rhodes, Lindos is one of the monuments that has been declared subject to preservation and thus has been able to retain its traditional color. As Lindos is a cosmopolitan summer resort of international conseguence, foreigners and Greeks take excursions daily to admire this unique village, pay a visit to its acropolis that dominates its leeward bay and swim at its beaches.

ccording to Homer, Lindos was built by the Dorians in the 12th century B.C. Rhodes sent nine ships to the Trojan war which all came from Lindos. The oldest finds that came to light here were stone from the Neolithic Period (3rd millenium B.C) which proves how far back the history of Lindos stretches. The find known as "The Cronicle of the Temple of Lindian Athena" confirms that several of the best known names in Greek history visited the temple.

Among them included Herakles, Helen of Troy and Menelaos, Artaphernes, King of Persia and Alexander the Great. The ancient theater of Lindos lies to the right of the harbor. Several parts of its wedge-shaped seats and the orchestra have survived, as they were curved into the rock.

he visit to the acropolis of Lindos is an unforgettable experience with a view toward the village, the sea, the harbors and the island. The Acropolis is a nearly tringular rock, 166 meters high, wider and shorter in the north section and four levels higher to the south. The walls that were built by the Knights dominate the top of the acropolis. Going through the entrance you climb up the stairway that leads to the first level.

here is a magnificent view of the bay to your left and two important monuments carved to the rock, an exedra and a ship (trireme) done in relief (170 B.C.). After that you use the stairs built by the Knights which lead to the castle at the second level. Following the stairway from here you find yourself on the third level, where you'll find the large Hellenistic Stoa (3rd century B.C.). The wide staircase leads from here to the Propylea.

This staircase, that sometimes is called 'the stairs to heaven' because it does give you the impression that you are mounting into the clouds, leads the visitors to the top (forth level), that is the reconstructed Temple of Lindian Athena. According to an ancient myth the first temple was the work of Danaos while the temple whose ruins you see today was built in the middle of the 4th century B.C. The small harbor at south took its name, according to tradition, from the Apostle Paul who disembarked there during his visit to Lindos.

he village today has many houses from the 16th, 17th, and 18th century known as "Captains" houses. Their architecture and decoration is unique in Greece. Until recently these houses were deserted but nowadays the locals restore them under the supervision of the Archaelogical Service. Descending from the acropolis and strolling through the lanes of the town with its many tourist shops you should not leave out the Church of Our Lady (Theotokou). The building technique ('chochlaki') has its roots in the Hellenistic period.

Photos and text taken from "Rhodes - the brilliant island of the sun" (Toubis Editions)

Previous highlight The valley of the butterflies

Next highlight Koskinou - Kallithea - Faliraki - Kameiros - Ialyssos - Filerimos