Monastery Of Filerimos

A place worth making a day trip is the monastery Filerimos. Located in the northwest part of Rhodes in the position of the acropolis of ancient Ialyssos. There you can reach either by car or package with a travel agency that undertakes this kind of excursions. The route will amaze you!! To get there by car you follow the road that has direction to the airport. After you see the amazing beach 'Iksia' you know you are going the rihgt way! continue driving and check if the sea is at your right sight, as it should be. When you reach Ialyssos turn left at the junction you ll see and then follow the road to the acropolis of the Ancient Ialyssos, Filerimos.

The route is quite adventurous (mostly because of the turns) and very very 'green' with pines everywhere you lay your eye on.

The monastery is dedicated to Virgin Mary the Life-Giving Source (Zoodochos Pighi) and its architecture is much different than the usual monasteries in Greece. It was constructed of stone in a Gothic style, on the site of an older Byzantine monastery.

The monastery was built in the 15th century by the Knights of Saint John, who had conquered the island that time. Inside, there was exist the holy icon of the Virgin Mary that the Knights had probably brought to Rhodes from Jerusalem. When the Ottomans conquered the island in 1523, the Knights left and took the icon with them. After floating in many countries (Italy, Malta, France and Russia), this icon is today hosted in the National Museum of Montenegro.

In the region around the monastery, there are the ruins of a baptistery in the shape of a cross, the remains of Ancient Ialysos and an underground church of Saint George that dates from the 14th century AD.

From Filerimos Monastery also starts the path to Golgothas. On top of this path, up on a hill with amazing view, there is a huge cross. It is possible to get into that huge (18 metres) cross and walk in. On the one side of the path, there are engravings that represent the Passion of the Christ. Filerimos is also known for its amazing natural paths. Actually Filerimos is filled with paths. The main ones are mentioned below: the path that leads to the old chapel of Prophet Elias, the old path and the path to the Doric Fountain. The paths are still existing nowadays, but not in such good condition. Mostly the one that drives to the Doric Fountain is completely neglected especially in the

Seven springs-Epta piges

Today, let me take you to a magic place in Rhodes... It's a place that will remind you a fairytale because as soon as you get there, you are going to think that you will see fairies elfs, and other magic creatures just around the.... (not corner but) next tree. Yeah, exactly as you thought today we are gonna meet a landscape.
The Seven Springs is a valley in which runs gurgling water from the springs. The place is all covered by huge trees, platans and pines and it is located on the road to the village of Archipolis 2-3 km before the church of St. Nektarios. The seven bubbling springs generate water all year long, culminating in a small man-made lake that provides a natural habitat to tortoises, eels, crabs and a rare fish species called gizani that lives exclusively in the creeks of Rhodes.

We don't have many words to describe the nature you're going to meet when you get there. You see it's a God's gift to mankind so the only way to realize it's importance is to go there by yourself. It's a wonderfull place to have your pic-nic and relax while listening to the sound of water, birds and other sounds that creatures living there make. The place also has many little rustic bridges and rivers, numerous footpaths and the area is known for the geese, ducks and peacocks wandering through the woods.

Don't miss the chance to stand in front of the waterfall and feel the spirit of nature burning inside of you. And for our friends that got tired already, there is a restaurant there, to relax, drink your coffee, eat whatever you want to, and smell an air you cannot find in the ''dirty'' city for no reason. If i haven't convinced you yet, the pictures below definetely will. So take a look and I'm sure after that you re gonna book your ticket to Rhodes that instant.

Colossus of Rhodes - Rhodes Rhodos Rodos

Colossus of Rhodes - Rhodes Rhodos Rodos

It would be insulting if the first article of sightseeings wouldn't refer to the Collosus of Rhodes and that's because that magnificent statue that it was said to have reigned at the port of Rhodes, has been recorded as one of the seven wonders of the world. Although it doesn't exist anymore so that we could refer to it as a ''sightseeing'' it is worth knowing about it because it belongs to the great history of the island.

At the end of 4th century Rhodian celebrated a great victory. Demetrius Poliorcetes after besieged for a year the city finally had to flee and leave behind much of his equipment. The Rhodian decided to sell the equipment of Demetrius and use the money to erect a magnificent statue in honor of Helios who protected them. Some people say that Rhodian melt bronze and other metals of the mechanisms that Demetrius left behind to build the outside of the Colossus, and the vast scaffolding of the war mechanism became the scaffolding for the construction of the statue. The commencement of work, according to historians, is estimated at around 304 BC, and according to the historian Plinius, was completed in 12 years.

One of the students of Lyssipus, Harris is said to be the construstor of the statue although people say that he hadn't had an experience in making a statue before. The statue had a height of 33 metres, was naked, wearing a crown on his head like rays of the sun (like the Statue of Liberty in New York). Presumably with the right hand he was protecting the eyes from the sun and the with the left he was holding a cloak. The legs of the statue were made first and the construction was made from the bottm to the top. The bronze figure reinforced inside with steel beams and stone columns. (The technique was copied for the construction of the Statue of Liberty New York, where copper is poured over steel-frame '). It took a lot of work to implement fully the inner shell (metal and stones) with the bronze 'skin' on the outside. The base of the statue was made of white marble. According to what a writer writes for the construction of the needed 12.7 tonnes and 7.6 tonnes of bronze iron.

While earlier believed that the Colossus stood in the entrance of the harbor (now Mandraki), archaeologists believe that this is impossible because of the magnitude of the statue and the relatively narrow port.Recent studies calculate the location of the statue just outside Mandraki. The huge statue had a tragic end. Tragically, 60 years after its completion, a violent earthquake ruined and scattered the statue in the sea. Colossus after the devastating earthquake remained intact for centuries and that's because of an omen. Later, in 653 AD the Islamic Army invanded in Rhodes seized the bronze and carried it to Syria. There, it is said that a trader bought sheets of copper, and took them to the desert to melt them. It is also said that 900 camels needed to carry the bronze.

The valley of the butterflies

Today as we were walking up and down in beautifull Rhodes we desided to take you for a walk into the valley of butterflies. The valley is located 20 km from the airport of Rhodes, and is near by the Village Kalamonas. The place is called Petaloudes (Butterflies) and it's an uphill valley with lush vegetation, wooden bridges, stone steps that is being crossed by the small river Pelican. Here many butterflies, including several protected species such as Panaxia quadripunctaria found shelter. The butterflies come from 15 June to mate and leave on 30 September, attracted by the plant ''zitia'', or ''storakas''.

As mentioned by the writer and poet Theofanis Bogiannos there isnt any part of greece like this place so beautiful, so blessed, with so much vegetation, color, so winged souls, so many human souls, so much cool singing cicadas, so much joy to people's faces.

Besides the beauty of nature, butterflies in recent years have fallen dramatically. This is because many tourists want to see them fly so they whistle or clap their hands. The only thing that they manage to do with this way is to create ultrasounds that scares the butterlies away or even lead them to death. So, butterflies would be gratefull if you were as quiet as possible during your visit. That way they will please you with many flights, different colors and the hapiness a butterfly (as an alive spirit) can give to your soul.

In the days of summer the temperatures within the park remain low, which is why guests prefer to wander. The paths and bridges lead to the monastery of Panagia Kalopetra, built in 1782 by Prince Alexander Ypsilanti Moldowallachia of the ruins of an earlier monastery. There is also Museum in the entrance where visitors discover the secrets of the unique ecosystem. In the middle there are tourist souvenir shops and canteen, with refreshments and various edibles.

Im sure that our pictures will give you a little bit of taste! But just a little bit so dont miss to see that miracle with your own eyes and dont forget!!!

SILENCE.... Let the spirits whisper in your ears........


 

Archaeological Museum Of Rhodes

Ι'm pretty sure you loved epta piges (seven springs) in the previous article, (besides its nature, who wouldn't love nature?), but now it's time to return to the town of Rhodes and learn... some history!

The Archaeological Museum is housed at the Hospital of the Knights which is one of the most impressive buildings you will see in the medieval city of Rhodes. It is a two storey building, which halls and courtyard displayed huge variety of exhibits. Let me remind you, as we said in previous article palace-of-grand-master that the building started in 1440 by Grand Master De Lactic, who spent for the construction the astronomical sum of 10,000 golden guilders and completed in 1489. As a museum, it has been operated since 1940.

In the courtyard opposite the entrance stands a seated lion with a bull's head at his feet coming from late Hellenistic period and in front of it a mosaic floor from the basilica of Arkasa Karpathos is exposed. A second mosaic Arkasa Karpathos has been put in the inner courtyard in front of the stores of the Museum, on the ground floor. In the floor we can see the large room that the patients used to be and the dining rooms of the archaeological collection. In the great hall of the patients were exposed carved tombstones of knights, chivalric emblems and the Roman sarcophagus used as a tomb of the Grand Master Kornegian. In the dining room we can see carved tombstones of Late Antiquity from Nisyros

Its important for every visitor to know that the Museum houses important archaeological finds coming from almost all the island. The excibition aims to highlight the major findings from Rhodes to help better understand the ancient history of the island.The most worth seeing exhibits are the following:
The grave stele of Kalliarista, dated in about 350 b.C., where the dead woman is presented seated, dressed in a chiton, with the himation covering her head. Her servant, standing beside her, holds a pyxis (jewel box) with her jewels. The capping of the stele is in form of a pediment resting on pilasters.
A black-figured attic amphora or the 6th century b.C., presenting the departure of a warrior.
An amphora dated in the 6th century b.C. of Fikellura style, made in a Rhodian workshop. Both sides are depicted with a representation of an animal and fleurons decorate the space below the handles.

A kylix of Vroullian style, dated in the 6th century b.C., that was also made in a workshop.
The grave stele of Krito and Timarista, dated in about 420-410 b.C. It presents two standing female figures. Timarista, full face, wearing a chiton and peplos embraces Krito, who wears a chiton and himation and has short hair.

The head of an athlete, made of marble and dated in the 4th century b.C.
The head of the god Helios. It is dated between 250 and 160 b.C.
A marble statue of a nude squatting Aphrodite, dated in circa 100 A.D., a remodeling of the Doidalsas type.
Apart from the above, you will be able to see important collections of tomb groups found in various sites of the island, dated in different periods. There are also displayed other statues and mosaics of the Hellenistic period, which have been found in the ancient city of Rhodes.
In the end of your visiting dont miss to see the two headless archaic kouroi, dated in circa 550-530 b.C., as well as several grave stones from the period of the Knights with relief representations of the dead persons or of their blazons.
Don't miss this great oppurtunity to ''live'' the history that island has. Besides it's the island that will make you have unforgetable holidays! It's worth knowing its rich history!!! Enjoy!

The Palace of the Grand Master

The Palace of the Grand Master

The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights or Castello is standing proud in the northwestern part of the medieval city of Rhodes at the highest point of the castle and is probably the most important monument of the period of the knights. It creates feelings of awe to every visitor that comes and believe me there are many of them every year. At the point where is now built the palace, was standing the Acropolis of Ancient Rhodes and after that the Byzantium Acropolis of the 7th century.

But in the 14th century Rhodes was conquered by the Knights of St. Ioannis order. They were the ones that decided to rebuilt the Acropolis but not as it was but as a palace that except from the administrative center of the Knights and home to the Grand Master was going also to be headquarters of the ruling social and intellectual class of Rhodes.

When the island was conquered by the Ottomans, they used the half-destroyed (by the siege)palace as a prison. The final blow was struck in 1856 when after an explosion of ammunition (that was stored in the basement) the palace was totally destroyed.

When in 1912, Rhodes came to the Kingdom of Italy, the Italians rebuilt the palace in the period 1937-1940 under the supervision of the Italian commander of the Dodecanese de Vekki, giving it a medieval look and making it the office relevant of Italian commander of the island and summer residence of King Victor Emmanuel the Third and later Benito Mussolini, whose name is still a huge slab near the entrance. Unfortunately the construction altered many areas of the original palace, but still the effect is so impressive!

As it comes to the form that the palace has today, paying the little price ticket of 6 euros you can see everything inside. In the halls of the floor, the visitor can admire the mosaic floors that Italians brought mostly from secular and ecclesiastical buildings of the island in order to decorate the palace. Apart from the impressive mosaic, there are also columns and capitals, medieval furniture, mirrors, tables, kirostates and other items that complement the decor of the imposing edifice. A part of the ground floor of the palace, house a permanent exhibition entitled "The Rhodes from early times until the occupation by the Turks (1522). This includes several findings of excavations carried out in the Medieval City (pottery, sculptures detached wall paintings, icons, miniature works, etc.)

Don't you lose any chance to see this marvelous building closely. And if you have many days to pass in Rhodes you could pay a 10-euro ticket that opens the door to many sightseeings and museums in the ancient town...!!! So.. Have a great-''knight''-time!!!

The Aquarium of the town of Rhodes.

 The Aquarium of the town of Rhodes.
For our friends who love sea life and would love to be lost in a blue magic world for a little time the perfect place to be is the Aquarium in Rhodes! By the time you got there two statues of mermaids are there to welcome you and prepare you to feel the spirit of the sea creatures. Go down the stairs and enjoy yourself.

The building was constructed during the Italian domination of the island, in the years 1934-1936. From 1937 it was called «Reale Instituto di Ricerche Biologiche di Rodi», which means “Royal Research Institute of (Marine) Biology of Rhodes”. Since 1963 works as Aquarium - Museum called Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes operates as a standard research unit in the Mediterranean, and conducts research projects covering the full spectrum of Oceanography in the region of the Dodecanese. The building has been listed by the Greek State as historic building with conservation status.

Apart from research unit Aquarium serves as a showroom as in its purposes include the preservation and promotion of stuffed and live exhibits of marine Mediterranean area. Specificaly there are 28 tanks with living organisms. They all have

adequate filters and monitoring system that check physical and chemical parameters of water.

The nearly 200,000 visitors a year can admire in the basement of the building, the wealth of marine life. In the three rooms of the aquarium you can see anthozoa, molluscs, gastropods, crabs, sea urchins, cephalopods and marine turtles and great is the atmosphere created by the interior decoration, stone walls and low lighting. Extra interest is the collection housed on the ground floor and includes stuffed Aquarium marine mammals and large fish, shellfish, corals, and oceanographic instruments. There's also a very interesting video you can watch in the first room that contrasts characteristics of people(lazyness, naughtness) with scenes from the life of fish. Maybe this way it makes as feel as we really are. Equal to every other organism that walks (or swims) on earth and get us think less selfish.

The Aquarium of Rhodes is open daily from April 1 - October 31: 9:00 to 20:30 and from November 1 - March 31: 9:00 to 16:30. The general price of the tickt is about 5 euros.

 Aquarium

The Acropolis of Lindos- Goddess Athena church

The Acropolis of Lindos

There's no way you get to Rhodes and not go to see the ''alternative'' Acropolis in Lindos. By the time you arrive at the top of the hill Acropolis stands so proud, you'll feel that ancient breeze take your mind away.

The Acropolis of Lindos is located on the southeastern side of Rhodes 55 klm away from the town, on the first foothill Marmari and includes the ruins of a temple of Athena of Lindos, the Acropolis' castle and the relief of "Triimiolias'. Especially the temple that we are gonna talk about today is said to exist since the 4th BC century. The temple of Athena Lindos, is an oblong tetrastyle amphiprostyle church. Initially at the position of the church there was only one altar, and later built a simple nave. And then in the 6th century they built the temple of Kleovoulos which destroyed by fire in the 4th BC. According to archaeologists, it was gold and ivory statue of the goddess, like the Parthenon in Athens, not preserved today.

Bellow are some pictures that will transfer you only a littlle from the magic, till i come back to write about the acropolis castle.. Enjoy your journey.......

The Acropolis of Lindos

Smells already summer in Rhodes...

Smells already summer in Rhodes.

Rhodes is one of the biggest islands in greece. It is said to be the island of Knights because of it's history and has developed a strong civilization over the years. As we know from history the island Rhodes has been the capital of the medieval aristocracy.




The Medieval Town of Rhodes is the result of different architectures belonging to various historic eras, predominantly those of the Knights of St. John. As a result of the large variety of different people who settled on the island there are many impressive and magnificent monuments that are worth visiting. Let's start our journey to a magic destination. The island of Rhodes!!!

I Hope the photos below are going to make you look forward for the articles of the monuments and give you a taste of rhodes. Every island in greece one way or another is full of sun, and wonderfull smell of the sea breeze mixed with a saltness tha will never leave from your lips once you taste it...

Smells already summer in Rhodes