The pearl of the Mediterranean, the Island of the Knights and the abode of the god Helios - as soon as they do not call the famous Rhodes. Being once a haven for knightly orders, shrouded in myths and sung in songs, today the island of Rhodes is a unique resort combining all the charms of comfortable rest and a great historical heritage. The main sights and beauties of this beautiful place will be discussed in our today's article.
The territory of the sun: the climate and nature of Rhodes
If you believe the legend, Helios - the ancient Greek god of the Sun, from the height of the heavenly chariot saw a small island hidden in the sea abyss, and fell in love with his extraordinary beauty. Helios considered it an ideal place to live with his beloved nymph Rhodes, brought the island to the surface and named it after his beloved. Many people think that Rhodes is obliged to this very loving union of fire and water with its unusually mild climate. Practically 300 sunny days a year and the lack of heat (the average temperature in the summer ranges from 22-28) make the island a very attractive place for a beach holiday. Rhodes is washed by two seas - the Aegean and the Mediterranean, so the beaches in the western and eastern parts of the island are very different. From the Mediterranean Sea you will find gentle sandy beaches with azure warm waves. And from the Aegean side - pebbles and high waves, which are very popular with fans of windsurfing.
Pearl of Greece: Rhodes attractions worth seeing
But the unique nature and climate are far from all causes, attracting thousands of tourists to Rhodes every year. The main asset of the island - historical attractions, which are literally at every turn. Noisy discos and bars border with unique museums, luxury hotels side by side with medieval buildings, and golden beaches - with places of real archaeological excavations. And all this is not somewhere in a certain area, but everywhere in Rhodes.
For example, the capital of the island is the homonymous town of Rhodes, a unique place. Walking along its historical part you can see with your own eyes the narrow medieval streets and buildings built during the time of the knights. Among the main attractions - the famous Palace of the Grand Masters. Initially in place of the modern palace was the temple of Helios, and then the Byzantine fortress. After the island was sold to the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, the fortress was expanded and made a place where the ruling magistrates sat. After the conquest of Rhodes by the army of the Ottoman Empire, the palace again became a fortress, then experienced complete destruction and historical restoration in the early 20th century. In fact, the outer part of the building corresponds to the spirit of the knightly era, while the interior of the palace testifies to the Italian period of Rhodes.
In the city itself is also located Rodini Park, where you can gloriously relax from the noisy embankments in the shade of spreading trees and singing outlandish birds. And over the city rises Mount Monte Smith, storing the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, the ancient stadium and theater.
An amazing combination of ancient Greek, Byzantine and medieval eras can be seen in the city of Lindos. Here you will find a true knight's castle, a quaint Hellenistic port and Byzantine churches. Walking through Lindos, it seems that you travel in time, so saturated with this city history. Well, if you aspire not just to touch the historical past of the island, but also see its natural beauty, then be sure to visit the Valley of Butterflies - a place that will not leave anyone indifferent. A secluded mountain valley with a large number of streams and small ponds annually from May to August is a favorite haven for hundreds of thousands of butterflies. According to one version, insects attract the specific smell of local plants, on the other - it is an ideal place to survive the hot weather. But in fact, it does not matter why the butterflies populate the valley in this period. It is much more surprising to see hundreds of thousands of these beautiful creatures in this quiet and beautiful place.
