Knights Island Rhodes Guide

Rhodes Island is one of the first things that come to mind when we think of the Greek Islands. It is also the largest of the Dodecanese Islands. When we look at it from another perspective, it is an island that carries the legacy of the Knights Templar and the Middle Ages, therefore known as the Knights Island, and where the famous Rhodes Statue was once located.

The Ottomans captured Rhodes after a long struggle and ruled the island for about 400 years. For this reason, traces of the Ottoman Empire are immediately noticeable in Rhodes. There is a small Muslim Turkish minority on the island, some of the Greeks can also speak Turkish and help you. If you make your hotel, flight and car rental reservations for your trips through Bitbook, you can benefit from an average of 20% cashback.

Places to Visit in Rhodes

The list of places to visit in Rhodes should definitely start with the old city. The old city was built inside a castle with 6 gates. This place is full of souvenir shops, cafes and taverns. It is one of the best preserved medieval cities in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Don't miss out on the Knights' Street and the Grand Masters' Palace in Rhodes Old Town. Most of the buildings here were built in the 14th century by people belonging to the Hospitalier Order. The knights of this sect were later known as the Knights of Rhodes. While walking around the streets of the island, you can see a few mosques. You can enter the Ibrahim Pasha Mosque, which is open to worship, and visit. However, since there are very few visitors, the mosque is mostly closed except for prayer times.

The historical bazaar is still standing almost completely. Small Ottoman-style shops still serve the same function today. Even the shutters of some of them are still in use. As you go up from Hippocrates Square, there is a very beautiful historical coffee house in the bazaar on the right. You can sit here and drink a Turkish coffee or Greek coffee as it is called in Greece.

When you leave the old city and walk towards the sea side, you come to Mandraki Harbor. Here, at the entrance of the harbor, there are two columns and deer statues on the columns. In the past, on these columns was the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the world we see in history books.

If you have time, you can also see the Aquarium Museum. In addition to various fish species, you have the chance to see seals, sharks and sea turtles.

Lindos

Lindos is located in the eastern part of Rhodes Island. A typical Greek village with white houses, blue windows and narrow streets. You can watch the city view from the ancient castle on the hill, either on foot or with a donkey.

Boats depart from Mandraki Harbor to reach Lindos, but you can reach it more easily by renting a car. You are also free regarding your return time. You park your car in the car park just outside the village and enter the city on foot. Because Lindos is closed to vehicle traffic.

The Church of Panagias and its beautiful bell tower in the center of the village, Lindos Acropolis at the top of the village and the Temple of Athena are points of interest. You can also shop at the cute shops by walking around the village.

Rhodes Statue

The Rhodes Statue, whose name we hear a lot, was completed in 282 BC and its construction took 12 years. Unfortunately, the Statue of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, has not survived and was completely destroyed by an earthquake. The statue had a gigantic height of 32 meters. It is said that ships pass between the legs of the statue placed at the port entrance.

Another interesting piece of information is that a silhouette found on the moon's surface looks just like the Rhodes Statue. NASA's explanation for this stain is that it may have been caused by the dirt on the camera.

What to Eat in Rhodes or the Greek Islands?

First of all, there can be all kinds of fish among those who can choose. Moussaka, Saganaki, Fava and Ouzo are among the flavors you should try. There are very good restaurants in the old city where you can taste these delicacies and more.

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