Rhodes Lindos – A tour of the Acropolis

This is the most impressive archaeological site on the island of Rhodes, where the spectacular natural scenery is enhanced by the picturesque quality of the more modern city. The most important archaeological monuments are found on the Acropolis, but there are also interesting ruins scattered at various points inside and outside the city.

A cobbled path leads up to the Acropolis, and for those who wish to avoid the grueling climb, there are donkeys for hire at the main entrance to the city. The first ruins you will come across are the medieval walls, built by the Crusaders (early 14th century) on the remains of previous defenses, both Byzantine and ancient. Along the medieval walls are a very small number of towers, which follow the natural contours of the high ground. On the flat area where the medieval stairs begin, you will see on your left an ancient triimolia (a kind of boat) carved into the rock around 180-170 BC.

At the prow of the ship there was once a statue of the general Agisandros Mikkion (it has not been preserved) which, according to the inscription, was the work of Pythokritos, creator of the Nike of Samothrace. The grand medieval steps lead up to the Crusader castle’s Palace of Governors, which consisted of three buildings, two of which have survived. It was first restored at the beginning of the 20th century by the Danish Archaeological Mission and then, during the interwar period, by the Italian authorities. As you exit the Governor’s Palace, you will see a series of vaulted constructions that support the “andiro”, a man-made terrace that opens in front of the Hellenistic stoa. Some of the columns are still standing.

It was built in the shape of the Greek letter fl, at the end of the 3rd century BC. C., with wings that protrude to the sides, each one with a façade of four columns. They were 88 m. long, 9 m. wide and had 42 columns. The terrace was conditioned later and two underground cisterns were also built to collect rainwater from the roof of the stoa and from the steps of the Propylaea. The scattered plinths with their inscriptions remind us of the time when the entire enclosure was filled with statues dedicated to the goddess. Adjacent to the Governor’s Palace is the church of Agios Loannis, built on the inscribed cruciform plan. It is unclear precisely when it was built; some assign it to the end of the XI – beginning of the XII century, others to the XIII – XIV century. It was built on the remains of a previous church, judging by the architectural fragments found on the Acropolis and dating back to the 6th century AD.

A monumental flight of steps, behind the eight central columns of the Hellenistic stoa, leads to the Propylaea of ​​the Temple of Undia Athena, another stoa structure of the same shape. Only the foundations have survived. At the two ends of the Propylaea there were areas where the ex-votos that were made to the goddess were stored. The stoa was built with porous stone at the end of the 4th century BC. C. At the highest point of the Acropolis, on the edge of the cliff, is the temple of Lindia Athena. This is an unexpectedly small Doric temple, with a stoa with four columns at each end. The votive altar and the base of the revered statue of the goddess still remain inside. This building was also made of porous stone, faced with mortar, and dates from the end of the 4th century BC. C. (Open every day, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. in winter, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in summer).

Melenos Hotel Lindos is one of the best Rhodes hotels on the island of Rhodes.