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Rhodes - the island of Helios

04 February 2010 / 15:02:13  GRReporter
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You could find yourself in the old town by passing through one of the eleven remaining fortress doors and take a walk under the arches over the streets paved with small round stones (called votsaloto), which were build as strengthening mechanisms against earthquakes. You could walk passing by swept away from the time ochre and ink blue on the walls, build out of a yellowish sandstone. One of them – the most impressive one – the gothic “Street of the knights” will take you to the greatest building around – the Palace of the Great master. Another main route starts from the upper part of the central street “Sokratus”, which for many years has been the main commercial artery where the jewelers’ and souvenirs’ shops are crowded with tourists from the cruises.

The northern end of the island until where reaches the town is surrounded by continual beach with endless lines of lounges and umbrellas. The aquarium built by the Italians – officially known as the “Hydro biological institute” is situated in the furthest north end Punda. It offers a great variety with its underground labyrinth of containers with sea water where colorful fishes are swimming, sea shells are laying on the ground and other sea animals can be seen. Right next to it at the “Hundred date palm trees” square in Nestoridion is located the Museum which shelters one of the most significant collections of the modern Greek art of the 20th century. Close by the Albergo delle Rose built by the Italians has been turned into the famous Rhodes casino which attracts a great number of tourists from Israel. Here is also the Villa “Kleoboulos” where in 1945 – 1947 lived the writer Lawrence Darrell and not long ago it was restored and turned into the House of literature and art of the Dodecanese.

Rhodes is definitely worth to walk around, a trip which will take you at least one day by car. If you take the road outside the city on the east coast it is worth seeing the restored mineral baths in Kalithea, a wonderful example of an oriental art deco from 1928 – 1929, created by the young Italian architect Piero Lombardi, who well advanced in years designs the building of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Then comes the resort Faliraki, famous for its night life. Cape Ladiko is further to the south at the beautiful “bay of Anthony Quinn”, called like this in honor of the actor who became famous for his parts in “Zorba the Greek” and “The guns of Navarone” (the second one was shot in Rhodes). The tourist attraction number two on the island is Lindos. Just like the old town of Rhodes his charm is also fighting with the tourist commercialization.

The ruins of the Kritinia fortress at the west coast are more than just a hollow shell from the past glorious times – from that point to the west there are fascinating views towards the next islands of Halki, Tilos, Alimnia and Nisyros. The road continues to curve south through thick forests in the foot of the highest mountain on the island Ataviros until Siana village, famous for its flavorful pine and herbal honey and with its suma – a grape distillate very similar to the Italian grappa, however with a more mild taste. Don’t forget to try the wine “Rhodes 2400” and the locally produced champagne with the brand name “Kair”.

Pictures – Zdravka Michailova

Tags: Rhodes Dodecanese islands travel
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