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

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........


 

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