Little history about Rhodes. Actually, we learned a lot about the history but there is no way I will remember it all.. Lindos , though, because it is an historical archeological site, allows NO new buildings. You are not allowed to change ANYTHING, ( inside or out) of these archeological homes and stores. You may maintain but not add to any of the current structures.. Lindos is a prized place to live! Once people acquire a residence, they do not usually sell. Pink Floyd was was of the first outsiders to purchase a vacation home there..
The villages on the island are hidden from view from the sea. This is because when pirates were common, they would loot and burn the villages, so the people learned to hide their villages so they were invisible from the sea! Rhodes has a long and storied history. It was the perfect stopping place for the ancients whether traveling from the east or the west. It has three natural harbors which made it a very strategic area. Somehow, for many centuries, Rhodes was like the "Switzerland" of the ancient world because it was neutral to the politics of the time. It was simply an amazing trading port for people of all regions and the different people appreciated this. One side of the island is quite arid while the northern side is much more lush and receives more rain. One of the secrets of success in early days is that Rhodes had a great supply of fresh water! The island is mostly sandstone so when it rains, the water is naturally filtered through a couple of layers of sandstone and then captured in naturally occurring clay "cisterns" below the ground. It became an amazing stop for travelers to replenish food and water supplies..
Rhodes did have its period of occupations from the Turks (about 300 years ), the Phoenicians, the Italians in modern times (Mussolini was constructing a summer villa here when WWll broke out), the Germans (think about the movie Guns of Navarone which was filmed here) and of course, the British as well.
The island has thousands of olive trees. Some are owned and maintained while many others grow wild. This more arid side of the island adapts well to the growth of the olive tree. During the 6 months of no rain, the olive tree leaves curl inward to help them preserve moisture!
The island is currently 96% Greek Othrthodox .
Also, most of you will have heard of the Colossos of Rhodes. There are two stories about the Colossus. The unreal story is from an artist who came to see one of the 7 Wonders of the World and was disappointed when he couldn't see it. So he invented a whole image of the Colossus of Rhodes and drew what he thought it should look like -- a statue straddling the harbor. He even said it was erected in an area where it never existed..this was the invented story in 1395.
The original Colossus was made of bronze and iron as a symbol of freedom and liberty and was dedicated to the sun god, Helios. It was located in a different harbor then the one the artist in the 1300's had ascribed to it.. The real Colossus was created with his legs together (for stability). The Colossus was constructed to be 110 feet high. They made a clay mold, and would then pour the melted metals into the mold, (bronze and iron) and then mound earth around it. They would then climb to the next level on the mound of earth to pour the next level. The construction began in 292 BC. They used metal weapons melted down from the previous war they had won. The Colossus fell down due to an earthquake which destroyed most of Rhodes. Because the area was such an important port, the surrounding kingdoms actually donated money to Rhodes for it to be rebuilt. However, even though monies were collected, the statue was never rebuilt. The leaders of the time decided to use the money to further fortify the island against invading pirates. The statue lay on the ground for many years until the Ottoman Empire took the remnants of the statue and sold it to the Far East where it was melted down and once again used for weapons! Quite ironic....
There are 298 steps to the top of the Acropolis in Lindos. You can walk up (Trey and the guide walked up) while Bill kept me company on a donkey ride up. Duffy we "parked" in a nice cafe with a bottle of water and a glass of orange juice! The donkey ride up was a lot of fun. We all walked down (good thing because there were a lot of cute shops on the way down!). From the charming village of Lindos, we drove about 45 minutes back to the Medieval section of Rhodes. Our driver dropped us off on one side of the "old city" and we walked through to meet our car on the other side before returning g to the ship.. On the ride back, we noticed two deer on pedestals by the city harbor. The deer are a symbol of Rhodes. It turns out the dear were revered because hundreds of years ago they were responsible for killing all the poisonous snakes on the island with their hooves! (Bill was delighted to hear about the deer!). There are still deer on the island today up in the mountains, but they are protected..
Our walk through the medieval city was lovely. We walked down the Street of the Knights... The knights of St. John came to Rhodes from Jerusalem where they had originally settled to care for pilgrims during the crusades. The Knights of St John of Jerusalem originally went to the Holy Lands as non political beings in order to provide care for the Pilgrims making the long journey to the Holy Lands. They are the founders of the first Hospitals. When the Ottoman Empire expelled them from Jeruaalem, they eventually settled in Rhodes. They built the first hospital here which we walked by today. We saw the palace which housed the Grand Master ( think Head of the Knights). When Italy, in the modern era, invaded Rhodes, Mussolini began building an enormous summer villa in the Castle of the Knights. He was never able to move in, however, due to the outbreak of WWII.
Next stop is Patmos, Greece! Stay tuned!
Pulling in to Rhodes where the medieval part of the city may be seen.
The village of Lindos...
Arriving at the beginning of the Acropolis ( after 298 steps)!
This is what the Acroplois looked like-- built at the highest point of Rhodes...
Winged Victory was taken from this Acopolis and is on display today in the Lourve..
The donkey ride up was fun!
My sure footed donkey!!!
This is the Acropolis... More steps to ascend to the top!
At the top!
On the way down from the Acropolis...
Feeling like I'm on top of the world!
The cafe where we "parked" Duffy while we went to the top of the Acropolis.
Behind me was an area where people presented precious gifts to the Goddess Athena. The pedestals behind me were placed there by the archeologists of today, but this room was originally for the precious gifts presented to the Goddess...
Walking the the Medieval city where the Knights built the first hospital and where Mussolina began the renovation of what he hoped would be his summer villa..
Dinner last night on the ship in Jacques restaurant! Yum!!!!!
Dinner at Jacques.
The great weather continues with amazing history - what was your donkey's name?
ReplyDeleteGlad to see all are enjoying - we miss you.