Rhodes

Rhodes, commonly called Rodos in Greek, is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in the southeastern Aegean Sea. It lies near the southwest coast of Turkey and covers about 1,400 square kilometers. The island’s capital and main urban center is Rhodes City, which contains the medieval Old Town—a UNESCO World Heritage Site enclosed by substantial walls and towers. The Acropolis of Lindos is another major archaeological site with a well-preserved ancient fortress.

Historically, Rhodes was a prominent ancient Greek city-state and a member of the Delian League. The Colossus of Rhodes, a monumental statue erected in Hellenistic times, stood on the harbor until an earthquake destroyed it in 226 BCE. In the Middle Ages, the Knights Hospitaller fortified Rhodes Town, building the Palace of the Grand Master and extensive fortifications; they controlled the island from 1309 to 1522. It then passed to the Ottoman Empire before joining Greece in 1947, after brief periods of Italian administration in the 20th century.

Economy today centers on tourism, supported by agriculture (olives, citrus, grapes) and services. The island offers beaches, ancient ruins, traditional villages, and natural sites such as the Valley of the Butterflies near Petaloudes and the seven springs at Epta Piges. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild winters.

Rhodes remains a popular destination for visitors seeking a blend of antiquity and coastal scenery, as well as for scholars studying Hellenistic and medieval periods.