Take In The Majestic Views And Rich History Of Lindos Acropolis

Lindos is a very popular seaside resort town that is located on the island of Rhodes, 35km from the city of Rhodes, that is home to three very beautiful beaches and has incredibly ancient origins. The area has been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC and was a major commercial centre for the island for centuries as it had the only practical natural harbours on Rhodes. The island was home to a sizeable Mycenaean population and then the town of Lindos was founded by the Dorians in the 10th century BC when they came into power and divided the island into three separate states – Lindos, Kameiros, and Ialysos. By the 8th century BC, it was a major trading centre due to its geographical location, positioned between Greece and the Middle East. In the 6th century BC, it was at its peak under the tyrannical rule of the Kleovoulos. However, with the foundation of the city of Rhodes, in the 5th century BC, Lindos went into decline as it was no longer the most important commercial centre on the island. While it ceased being a commercial centre, Lindos remained an important religious hub for centuries later and right through the Hellenistic era and also became a major cultural and artistic centre.

While there are reminders of lots of different periods and eras past located throughout the town, the crowning glory comes from around this period (or at least the first buildings on the site do). This is the Lindos Acropolis, much of which dates to the 4th to the 2nd centuries BC, with several later additions that date to as late as the 14th century AD. In fact, the Acropolis is home to ruins of lots of different buildings from lots of different eras, including, among other things: ruins of a Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, dating from about 300BC, that is built on the site of an even earlier temple; other temples from the 4th century BC; the Propylaea of the Sanctuary, also from the 4th century BC; a Hellenistic surrounding wall and entrance staircase that is contemporaneous with the Propylaea and which was repaired by P Aelius Hagetor, the priest of Athena in the 2nd century AD; a Hellenistic stoa from around 200BC; and the remains of a Roman temple, possibly dedicated to the Emperor Diocletian, dating to 300 AD. Later additions include the Castle of the Knights of St John, built before 1317 on the foundations of an older Byzantine fortification, and the Greek Orthodox Church of St John, dating to the 13th or 14th century, which is thought to have been built on the ruins of a 6th century church.

All of this, located on an incredible natural podium, perched atop a steep cliff that rises 116m over the town and looks out over the utterly stunning natural bay that first drew settlers to the area, makes for what is undeniably the most impressive archaeological site on Rhodes. Understandably, then, it is one of the most visited and, therefore, often busiest, attractions on the island. But, if you time your visit right or simply do not mind contending with crowds then you will be rewarded with some incredibly picturesque views and literal millennia of history all in one spot. Just avoid the serious crowds after 10am in the summer. Be sure to bring a hat and be prepared to walk, as it is a steep slope up to the site from the village and the sun will beat down in the warmer months. Also, be sure to equip yourself with plenty of water as you’ll need it and it will be hard to purchase along the way without being completely ripped off. You can take a donkey ride up the slope but it won’t save you much time and there is concern as to how said donkeys are treated. Finally, be careful if you have kids with you are some spots have sudden drops or edges that can be dangerous.

However, once you have kept all this in mind and timed your trip right, a little sweat will be all worth it for the impossibly romantic combination of these incredible ruins and their spectacular location. A true must for those who have found a vacation rental on Rhodes and who are exploring this part of Greece!