Rhodes - Dodecanese

Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese and the fourth largest Greek island (after Crete, Euboea and Lesbos), is a favourite port when visiting the south east of Greece and a very good starting point - much like Kos - for a sailing holiday in the Dodecanese. The island is roughly ellipsoid or diamond-shaped and a mountainous range runs from north to south with the highest peak Mt Ataviros (1205 m), situated in the middle of the west coast. Unlike many of the other islands in this region, Rhodes is fertile not only in the valleys but also on the higher slopes: pine, orange, olive, lemon, fig and pear trees thrive in these conditions. Also the villages are lush and colourful with hibiscus, jasmine and bougainvillea, which explains the many butterflies. And indeed, Rhodes is often called the butterfly island.Rhodes is a very popular, cosmopolitan island, where both Venetian and Turkish influence are apparent, giving it a special charm. Apart from the main harbour of Rhodes, where the magnificent statue of the Colossus once stood, you will find many picturesque, little coves, where you can swim in magical surroundings.

Mandraki - The main harbour of Rhodes. You cab tie on the N or the N end of the E quay. You will find the harbour can be fairly crowded and there is often four boats out from the quay. The harbour offers good shelter from prevailing winds. There is water and electricity available at the quay as well as fuel. All provisions can be found.

Lindos - You can moor where convenient in this large bay. The water is turquoise and offers an excellent area for a swim. Take the time to go ashore to visit the acropolis it is well worth the visit.

History of Rhodes

Rhodes was first inhabited in the Neolithic era. A major milestone in the island's history, which affected the fate of the other Dodecanese as well, was the founding in 700 BCE of the Dorian Hexapolis, a union of its three cities with Knidos, Halikarnassos and Kos. Its eco¬no¬my and culture continued to flourish until the 3rd century BCE, when it was the predominant power in the Aegean. When, a thousand years later in 1309, it fell into the hands of the Knights of St. John, it became again the centre of power, symbolized by its magnificent mediaeval town and the imposing castle and palace of the Grand Masters.

Lindos, Ialissos and Kamiros were the island's three main centers a thousand years before Christ. Named after grandsons of the sun god Helios, this sunny island's patron saint, these cities belonged to a powerful political and economic alliance known as the Hexapolis. In 408 B.C., however, they went into voluntary decline after joining forces to found a fourth city as a new capital of the island. Rapidly developing into the island's population center, Rhodos Town became a center for art and learning as well as administration and commerce, the latter partly thanks to its large natural harbor, Mandraki, today still in use as a marina for pleasure boats.

Rhodos is only 18 kilometers from the coast of Turkey, which made the island an attractive base for would-be conquerors intent on moving east. Alexander the Great, for example, favored Rhodos, which during his rule became the leading power in the Mediterranean. But Rhodos always retained a measure of autonomy, and after Alexander's death turned down an offer of alliance with one of his generals. The general's son, Demetrius, summarily appeared to take the island by force. There followed a prolonged and bitter siege during which Demetrius availed himself of a variety of state-ofthe-art martial machinery; but the islanders ultimately withstood the attack. When Demetrius finally pulled out, the Rhodians melted down the remains of his machinery and used it to erect the famous Colossus of Rhodes, a statue of the island's patron sun god Helios some 35 meters high, which was accounted one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The fame of the Colossus, completed in 290 B.C., long outlasted the statue itself; it was toppled by an earthquake in 225 B.C. Its remains lay around the harbor for centuries before a Turkish merchant carted them off.

Rhodes Town

Visitors here should under no circumstances miss a chance to take a walk along the top of the old city wall (Teihos; only possible on Tuesdays and Saturdays). You climb onto the wall at the Amboise Gate; the wall can be walked as far as the Ioannou Gate. The fortress was never conquered; the last Grand Master had to surrender to the Turkish Sultan and his 200,000-strong army in 1523 because the 300 Knights and 6,000 soldiers ran out of gunpowder. Hedging the city walls is a ring of green parkland; outside the castle, there are festivals and son et lumiere shows throughout the summer. More tranquil, although more distant (three kilometers from the center), is Rodini Park, not far from the Acropolis. It was here that Rhodos' School of Rhetoric was established in 330 B.C., and Rhodians have used the area ever since. Today, there is a zoo here, and every year in August this is the site of a popular wine festival.