Interesting facts about the city of Rhodes. Interesting facts about the city of Rhodes - culture, attractions and entertainment Interesting city of Rhodes

Interesting facts about Rhodes

The historical part of the city of Rhodes, the largest settlement on the island, is on the list World Heritage UNESCO.

The island is popular not only among tourists, but also receives increased attention from scientists. Archaeological excavations are constantly carried out in Rhodes, during which many monuments and architectural structures of antiquity are studied.

Interesting facts about Rhodes will be of interest to anyone who is interested in ancient Greek history. And in general, those cities and countries that have a thousand-year history cannot fail to attract the attention of any educated person.

It should be noted that we already wrote about Rhodes when we talked about the Colossus of Rhodes, which is one of the seven wonders of the world. Now let's just tell you some interesting facts about Rhodes.

After the loss of the Holy Land by the Crusaders, the residence of the Grand Master of the Order was moved here. According to contemporaries, at the end of the 15th century, the Rhodes fortress was the most modern and impregnable of the Christian fortresses. The fortress was the residence of 19 grand masters of the Hospitaller Order, the center of Collacium - the quarter of the Rhodian knights, and also the last refuge of residents in times of danger.

Entrance to the Palace of the Grand Masters

Built in the 14th century, it survived earthquakes and sieges, but was destroyed in 1856 by an accidental explosion. The unique palace was restored by the Italians in the 1930s.

It will take less than 2 hours to travel around the entire island by car. That is, Rhodes is not at all large in area.

The oldest Greek stadium is located in the city of Lindos.

Rhodes is known for its extremely low crime rate.

Half the population of this island (60,000 people) lives in the capital Rhodes.

About 35% total area The islands are covered with pine and cypress forests.

In translation, the word “Rhodes” is translated as “rose”.

According to the islanders themselves, they consider Hercules, the hero of the myths of ancient Greece, the founder of the very first settlement on the island.

In Rhodes there is a unique Petaloudes Valley (valley of the butterflies). Butterflies come here in summer in huge numbers.

An interesting fact is that Rhodes is often called the “pearl of the Mediterranean.” Those who have been there at least once definitely agree with this popular name.

It is believed that Christianity was brought to Rhodes by the holy Apostle Paul.

For many centuries, Rhodes was an important trading port in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Despite today's purely tourist interest, Rhodes was once a center of ancient painting, sculpture, poetry, philosophy, astronomy, physics and geography.

The wonderful island of Rhodes is a real treasure trove of history. open air. Unlike much of the rest of Greece, it is all covered in dense vegetation, making it incredibly beautiful place for relaxation, so local beaches attract a huge number of tourists every year. Rhodes once changed hands more than once, and its turbulent history was reflected in its appearance, turning it into an amazingly interesting island.

Facts about Rhodes

• The island is washed by two seas at once, the Cretan and Libyan ().
• Among all the islands belonging to Greece, it ranks 4th in area.
• In Moscow lives approximately 130-140 times more people than in Rhodes.
• The capital of the island is also called "Rhodes", and its historical center recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• About half of the island's inhabitants live in its capital.
• The city of Rhodes was founded more than 2400 years ago.
• Rhodes is separated from the Turkish mainland by 10 times less distance than from Greece ().
• There are few cloudy days in Rhodes. The sun shines brightly over the island for about 300 days every year.
• Once a temperature of -3 degrees was recorded here. But in general the climate in Rhodes is very mild and pleasant.
• Many local residents houses and cars are not locked here. The crime rate in Rhodes is approaching zero.
• Once upon a time, the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the ancient wonders of the world, was located here. Giant statue was destroyed by an earthquake ().
• You can travel around the entire circumference of Rhodes by car in a few hours, if there are no traffic jams. However, they are almost never here.
• It is in Rhodes, in the town of Lindos, that the only ancient Greek stadium that has survived to this day is located.
• Total length coastline Rhodes is a little more than 250 kilometers away.
• More than 37% of the island's area is covered with forests.
• Translated from ancient Greek, “Rhodes” means “rose”. There really are a lot of these flowers on the island.
• There are deer here. They are also a symbol of the island ().
• On Rhodes 44 settlements. These are mostly small villages.
• The island was inhabited in the 4th-5th century BC by people who arrived from Crete.
• Local residents believe that the founder of the first settlement in Rhodes was the legendary Hercules.
• Three quarters of the income to the Rhodes budget comes from tourism.
• The Order of the Knights of Malta was once called the Order of Rhodes. After Rhodes was conquered by the Ottoman Sultan, the knights had to look for new home, which Malta became ().
• Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of butterflies flock to the Rhodes Valley of Petaloudes once a year for several days.
• In the city of Kamiros, located in Rhodes, a water supply system already operated 2,500 years ago, supplying water to houses.
• Several ancient mosques, perfectly preserved to this day, remind us of the era of Ottoman rule in Rhodes.

Greece is one of the oldest European countries, which has always been famous for its rich historical and cultural heritage.
Ancient Rhodes is considered one of the most unique corners of Hellas - main city Dodecanese Islands, founded BC. His story abounds interesting events, fascinating facts and attractions, some of which have survived to this day, and some have remained only in legends.

History of Rhodes

Rhodes is one of the most ancient cities on the planet. Its name is translated from Greek as “island of roses”. Historians call 408 BC the date of the founding of Rhodes. According to Greek legend, the discoverers of the island were the ancient Telkhine magicians. They were endowed with magical powers and were excellent blacksmiths. The magicians presented the sword of the god Kron and the Trident of the sea lord Poseidon. Despite the gifts, Poseidon's grandchildren drove the wizards off the island. Today the city is geographically divided into two parts: .


Ordinary residents lived in Burg. The main street of this area is filled with shops, restaurants and souvenir shops. Collachium has always been the abode of knights and masters. The Palace of the Grand Masters, built in the 14th century, has managed to survive well to this day, despite the explosion of 1856. Enthusiasts restored architectural masterpiece in the twentieth century based on ancient sketches. The Palace of the Grand Masters is now one of the calling cards of the city. The castle's two exhibition halls are dedicated to the historical and cultural heritage of Rhodes.

The main attraction of Rhodes also has its own legend - Colossus of Rhodes, which is one of the seven wonders of the world. Outwardly, the statue resembled an athletically built young man holding a bow with arrows and a cup in his raised hand. Unfortunately, the monument has not survived to this day. Today, on the columns you can see two bronze statues of deer, which mark the emblem of modern Rhodes.


The Colossus of Rhodes itself is depicted on numerous postcards, stamps and other souvenirs. The following story tells about the emergence of this wonder of the world, which occurred in 305 BC. The son of the famous Antigonus, Demetrius, tried to capture the island. For more than a year he unsuccessfully laid siege to Rhodes. Then the process tired him, and Demetrius changed his plans, abandoned all his siege engines, and returned to his native land. The satisfied islanders successfully sold the siege engines, and with the proceeds from the sale they sculpted a majestic forty-meter statue in bronze, which they decorated the city with.

Ancient city (Acropolis)

Surrounded on all sides by walls, the ancient polis was located on approximately the same area as the current city. It totaled approximately 15 km3. The population of ancient Rhodes reached 60-100 thousand citizens. The period of greatest prosperity of Rhodes is called the III-II century BC. In those days, Rhodes had the status of the most important shopping center Eastern Mediterranean. During archaeological excavations, a theater, stadium, religious buildings located on the Acropolis were discovered, as well as streets, building foundations, underground sewers and fragments of fortress walls.


In the northern part of the Acropolis, the ruins of the temple of Athena Poliadra were able to survive. Structures located below ground level were found to the south and east of it. All buildings that were part of the underground water supply system of Rhodes are called nymphaeums in honor of the cult of nymphs, popular in ancient times. To the southeast of the nymphaeum, a small theater was discovered, completely restored at the present time.


The unique Olympic stadium of the ancient era, built in the 3rd century BC, remains the only completely authentic Olympic stadium in the world - a copy of the stadium in ancient Olympia. In the highest, western part of the Acropolis there was a temple of Apollo of Pytheas. To date, three temple columns that support the cornice have been restored. The base of the religious building is built along the perimeter of a huge quadrangular stone, exactly like the base of the nearby temple of Aphrodite.

A unique medieval street with a length of 200 m is located in Rhodes. Built in the 24th century, it still retains its original appearance. The street was intended to accommodate the Knights Hospitaller (Johnnites) who came to the island. The Spiritual Chivalric Order of St. John was the owner of Rhodes from 1309 to 1522. Nowadays there are former knightly residences - auberges - located here. The knights did not live in them, but gathered exclusively for common meals and meetings.


During Ottoman rule, the buildings were used as barracks. During the period of Italian rule in the first half of the last century, they were restored. Today it houses museums and various government institutions. On the street you can see many magnificent Gothic-style buildings that eagerly attract tourists from all over the world.

In the medieval center of Rhodes, north of the Street of the Knights, you will find a magnificent building - Palace of the Grand Masters. The Grandmaster's Palace is the most impressive building in the Old City. Here was the headquarters of the Knights of St. John, which served them as a reliable fortress. The palace was built in the 14th century on the remains of the Bisantine fort. The two-story building has a large courtyard. During the Turkish attack, the palace was destroyed. It was completely rebuilt in 1930.


A noticeable part of the fortress are the unusual beautiful gate, on both sides of which there are huge towers, powerful defensive fortifications and underground warehouses. In the 40s of the twentieth century, this historical building was restored by the Italians. The palace has several luxurious halls with furniture from different eras and decorated with decorative wood carvings. Now the palace houses the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes.

Most of the interesting facts about Rhodes are associated with myths and monuments Ancient Greece. Any guide to the island will testify to this. We suggest digging deeper and finding out what else attracts travelers to this amazing place.

The Mediterranean pearl, Rhodes, rightfully bears the title of the most beautiful island in Greece. It is located in the south Aegean Sea and belongs to the Dodecanese archipelago. The mild tropical climate and picturesque nature attract tourists from all over the world all year round. And for lovers ancient history it's just a real gift. What else do you need to know about the island when going there?

These 11 interesting facts about Rhodes will lift the veil of secrecy and help you fully experience the beauty of being in the place where legends were born.

Fact 1. The second name of the island is “Emerald”

Literally, “Rhodos” is translated from Greek as “rose.” It is worth paying tribute to this name, since there are really a lot of roses here. And locals call the island Emerald: all because 37% of the territory of Rhodes is occupied by cypress and pine forests.

From a bird's eye view, the island looks like a picturesque canvas generously strewn with emeralds. The air in these places is saturated with phytoncides, which makes it truly healing. Holidays in the pine and cypress groves of Rhodes are recommended for people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases.

Fact 2. The Colossus of Rhodes comes from here

In addition to numerous architectural, historical and cultural monuments, the famous statue of the Colossus of Rhodes was located on the island. And, as you know, at one time it was one of the seven wonders of the world.

In order to refresh your knowledge from a school history course, let us remind you that the monument gained fame due to its gigantic size. The height of the Colossus was 33 meters (almost like the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro). The monument was erected in honor of Helios, the ancient Greek deity of the Sun, the patron saint of Rhodes.

But the statue did not have to show off for long. The colossus stood for only half a century, after which it was destroyed by a strong earthquake in 227 BC. If it weren’t for the Delphic oracle, which forbade the Egyptian king Ptolemy to restore the statue, we might have been able to admire this wonder of the world.

Fact 3. Summer all year round

Rhodes is often called the island of the sun. This real paradise for tourists. No matter what time you plan to visit this place, you will almost certainly not be disappointed with the weather. And all because the island is warm and clear about 300 days a year.

So don’t fill your suitcases with warm clothes, you won’t need them. Over the entire history of meteorological observations, the minimum temperature recorded here was - 3°C. Such frosts never happened again in Rhodes.

Fact 4. Place of the largest concentration of butterflies

If you're going on holiday to Rhodes with children, you can be sure that they will quickly get tired of the endless tours of ruins and ruins. For a change, take a break from the historical attractions and take your child to the Petaloudes Valley. During the summer months, millions of butterflies flock here. Agree, such a spectacle will be a real holiday for children.

Fact 5. Savings on transport

Fun fact about Rhodes: If you rent a car, you can travel around the island in less than two hours. The fact is that the length of the coastline of Rhodes is only 220 km. Why waste money and pollute the atmosphere with toxic exhaust? Instead, think through a few walking routes and walk around enjoying the views. This is savings and undoubted benefits.

Fact 6. It's safe here

On the island of Rhodes you will live like Christ in your bosom. According to statistics, in Rhodes, as in mainland Greece, the crime rate is one of the lowest in the world. Thefts, break-ins and other crimes occur here extremely rarely. In this regard, islanders may leave the doors of their houses and cars open at night. Conclusion: a holiday in Rhodes is perfect for families with children.

Fact 7. Time travel

Would you like to rewind the time machine clock 2600 years ago? Then you have a direct road to Lindos, to the legendary Acropolis. If you are afraid to move so radically away from reality, go 600 years ago, to the medieval city of Rhodes. In 1998 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Impressions of local beauty and a feeling of unity with the past are guaranteed. Many tourists who are lucky enough to personally touch ancient monuments claim that their energy gives inspiration and a temporary surge of physical strength.

Fact 8. Is Hercules the first mayor of the island?

A wonderful myth that claims to be an indisputable fact. Every single resident of Rhodes is sure that one day the legendary hero-demigod Hercules, between his exploits, found time and founded the first settlement on Rhodes. There is no need to argue with the islanders, and why? Beautiful story, and Hercules would certainly look respectable as the head of the island.

Currently, Rhodes has 44 villages, and its population is about 110 thousand inhabitants. Almost all of them (75%) earn their living through a well-developed tourism infrastructure.

Fact 9. Plumbing was invented in Rhodes

It is not known for certain whether this is true, but they knew about what a water supply system was 2500 years ago. This is evidenced by historical facts. IN ancient city Kamiros, built over two thousand years ago, has one of the oldest water systems in the world. As studies have shown, the residents of Kamiros successfully used this benefit of civilization, since water from the water supply was supplied to every house.

Fact 10. A tree you can walk inside

Rhodes has long been famous for its lush greenery. But this ancient plane tree deserves special attention. The phenomenon plant is located near the Temple of Nektarios. The first thing that strikes tourists is huge size tree. But the most interesting thing is not even this, but the fact that the giant is hollow from the inside. Ten people can fit inside the tree at once. It is safe to say that the plane tree near the Temple of Nektarios is the oldest and most amazing plant on the island of Rhodes.

Fact 11. In Rhodes, not only people kiss...

And even the sea. To see this natural phenomenon With your own eyes, go to the south of the island, where the spit with the romantic name Prasonissi is located. Translated into Russian, this means “kiss of two seas.” Picturesque place especially loved by tourists, because here you can swim in two seas at once, the Aegean and Mediterranean.

Rhodes is a living legend that history has carried through the centuries and carefully passed on to us. This is an island where you can rest your soul, a place where miracles come to life, and you feel like you are part of something large-scale and epoch-making. Walk around the island up and down, enjoy its nature, touch the walls of its historical buildings. This is a luxurious gift from nature, and should certainly be accepted with gratitude!

“Rhodes” translated from Greek means “island of roses” - it’s so simple and beautiful. There are actually a great many flowers there, but the number of them cannot be compared with the myths and legends known in our time. This is a living fairy tale - Rhodes, whose history is born in the same times as the events described in any myth of Ancient Greece.

It all started with the fact that the island was chosen as a place of residence by the magicians of the ancient world - the Telkhines. In addition to magic, they mastered the art of blacksmiths, so they forged the trident for Poseidon (I wonder if he ordered it as a mere mortal?) and the sword Krona.

There is no documentary or archaeological evidence of this fact yet. But nothing, once Troy didn’t have them either. The grandchildren of Poseidon and the children of Helios forgot about gratitude for the trident and drove the Telkhines out of the island. Since then, power has never stayed long on the island of Rhodes. History remembers both the Carians and the Phoenicians here. Around 1400 BC the Achaean Greeks came here, who managed to create a powerful state and spread its power to the neighboring islands. The Greeks were allowed to rule for several centuries until the Dorians captured the state.

It was Doria in 408 BC. decides to found the capital of the island. The history of the city of Rhodes, the pearl of the island, begins. Island state managed to become a servant of all masters: he fell under the influence of both Sparta and Athens. It even helped Alexander the Great conquer Tire, for which he was subsequently punished.

An interesting story took place in 305 BC. Demetrius, the son of the famous Antigonus, decided to capture the island. For a whole year he unsuccessfully besieged Rhodes, until he got tired of it. He literally abandoned everything (that is, his siege engines) and went home. The happy Rhodians sold the cars at a profit, and for the proceeds they cast a forty-meter statue in bronze and decorated the island with it. In modern times, this statue is known as the Colossus of Rhodes, the seventh wonder of the world.

No one today knows what she looked like or where she stood. If it was installed in the center of the city, then most likely it was a Greek youth in a tunic and a laurel wreath: his arms were lowered, one leg was put forward. But in the center of the city there was no suitable place, that is, an open space of the required size. It is impossible to imagine that the Greeks were erecting a statue the size of a ten-story building right next to a two-story building. They, as builders, have proven themselves to have a good sense of proportion. It is unlikely that they would like to swarm like ants at the feet of the monument.

If the Colossus stood in the sea, then, most likely, he was the forefather of the American Statue of Liberty - the same wreath, outstretched arm and torch in it. It is known that this monument fell due to an earthquake. Well, it happens. Where are his remains then? The sea has been studied for this subject dozens, hundreds of times. And it is completely technically incomprehensible how a statue of such dimensions could be installed directly in the sea in the 3rd century BC.

The history of the island of Rhodes was not complete without the famous raids of Cassius, who played a lot of tricks here: he took away art monuments and destroyed everything he could. Both the Persians and the Saracens also distinguished themselves by destruction. Only in knightly times did the island live peacefully again, but not for long - about three hundred years, no more.

Rhodes was one of the first to adopt Christianity, in the 1st century AD. There was already a metropolitan here. The history of churches and temples of Rhodes is very interesting. Byzantine churches, after the conquest of the island, were adapted by the Johannites to Catholic ones. Why should good things go to waste? Then the Ottomans came and converted them into mosques. The Turks were expelled, and the mosques were again given over to Christianity.

The knights who brought the peace Rhodes needed were novices of the Jerusalem Order of St. John. They fought for the liberation of the Holy Land from the Arabs, and in battle they wore red cloaks under chain mail - so that blood was not visible in case of injury, and they could only fall dead. The knights lived on the island for so long that they began to be called Rhodes. In 1522, after a long siege, they surrendered their native island to the Turks, and they themselves crossed to Malta. There our knights became, accordingly, Maltese, and then everything is known about them.

The Turks in Rhodes lived well and for a long time - until 1912, when the Italians took it away. They did not last long, only until 1948, and during this time they only managed to rebuild the dacha for their beloved Mussolini. He never came to rest in it, and now it is slowly being destroyed, abandoned.

And the history of Rhodes continues to be written, adding events to its life in our days. Everyone can become part of them - just visit the wonderful island.

Along with this material you usually read:

When planning excursions in Rhodes, do not forget that you will need to walk a lot not only along the cobbled streets of the cities, but also along natural parks. How can you miss the opportunity to stroll through the Valley of the Seven Springs, which hides many mysteries?