RHODES

Geographical Position and Transport Links

The Island of Rhodes is situated in the eastern Mediterranean basin and marks the easternmost point of the Greek archipelago. Turkey is 13 miles across the straights and Cyprus lies 300 miles to the south-east. To the west are the adjacent islands of the northern group of the Dodecanese and the Cyclades. Piraeus and Athens are 264 miles away.

By sea, Rhodes is connected daily to Piraeus, some of the intermediary Dodecanesian islands that lie en route, and to the Cyclades and Crete. Over the summer months there are sea links with Samos, Thessaloniki and Cyprus. By air, Rhodes, year round, has several flights daily to Athens, and two or three times a week to Crete (heraklion) and Thessaloniki. During the summer months there are planes to Cyprus, Santorini, Mykonos, and Sitia (Crete).It is also connected by air to other islands in the Dodecanese – Kos, Karpathos, kassos and Kastellorizo. Through the tourist season the island of Rhodes handles charter flights from more than 50 airports in Europe and the Middle East.. Around 1,200,000 tourists pass through the island every year.

Geography and Natural Features

Rhodes covers a total area of 1,398 square kilometres, with a coastline of 220 kilometres. The highest mountain is Mt Attaviros at 1,248 m., which also has the remains of a temple to Zeus. There are other, lower mountains with thick forests, such as Profitas Ilias, Akramitis and Filerimos, with the foundations of the ancient acropolis of ancient Ialyssos. The landscape alternates from beaches, open country, forests and picturesque villages, with characteristic traditional architectural elements and rich folklore tradition. Both land and sea are fertile, and flora and fauna abundant; there are butterflies in the valley of the same name, and the famous Rhodian "Platoni" deer.

The climate of Rhodes is mild, temperate and kind in all seasons, thanks to its limited rainfall, welcome breezes and hours of sunshine. The island has the most hours of sunshine (3,480) in the Mediterranean, and hence its name in ancient days as the "Nymph of Helios".

Population and Employment

Today the population of the island is approximately 100,000, of whom about half reside in the City of Rhodes itself. The island has shown impressive population growth if one considers that immediately after the Second World War in 1947 its population was around 55,000. The rapid population increase is due to the development of tourism, which has created many employment opportunities in tourism and other businesses. Because of this a number of people have come to settle permanently in Rhodes from other smaller islands in the Dodecanese, from the rest of Greece, and also from abroad. These new-comers have been assimilated into the local society and live together harmoniously.

The economy of Rhodes is based on tourism, with about 80% of the local income generated directly or indirectly from activities serving the needs of tourists. The island has over 500 hotel businesses with a capacity of 75,000 beds, and over 8,000 shops of every category, and they employ approximately 30,000 staff between them. In parallel, the island also has a well-developed agricultural industry, with significant levels of fruit and vegetable production as well as tree cultivation (oranges, tangerines, lemons, apricots). From the many vineyards come the grapes which provide the famous wines and Rhodian champagne. The island has also a tradition oin folklore-art, with a rich and varied output of ceramics, carpets, embroideries and gold and silver jewellery. The market of Rhodes is well-stocked with Greek and overseas products and visitors to the island can enjoy local cuisine in traditional fish-tavernas and restaurants.

History and Culture

According to mythology, the first residents of Rhodes were the Telchines, skilful craftsmen in metalwork. They were succeeded by the Heliades, descendants of the Sun God. After the Dorian invasion of around 1100 BC, the three great cities of Rhodes – Lindos, Kamiros and Ialyssos – were founded. Together with Kos, Knidos and Alicarnassos, these cities created the Dorian Exapolis in 700 BC, and alliance that was maintained until 480 BC. During this period Rhodes earned a name as a great nautical power and as a centre for the arts and literature. In 408 BC, the city-sates of Lindos, Kamiros and Ialyssos decided to found a collective city of Rhodes, in its present location, based on a design by the famous planner Ippodamos. This new city quickly developed into one of the greatest commercial and nautical centres of the Mediterranean. After the death of Alexander and the slow decay of his empire, Rhodes declined until it fell under the Roman dominian of the general Cassius in 42 BC. Around 50 AD the Apostle Paul visited Rhodes, leading to its conversion to Christianity, and the Island being assimilated into the Byzantine empire as a result. The island then fell to various conquerors (the Persians, Saracens, etc.) until it was overrun by the Genoese in 1246 before passing to the Knights of the Order of St. John in 1306. The knights created fortifications in the City and at various other locations around the island to ward off their enemies, and they developed commercial ties between East and West.

In 1522 Rhodes was captured by Suleyman the Magnificent and Turkish domination followed, lasting until 1912, when the island was occupied by the Italians. Rhodes, with the other islands in the Dodecanese, was finally liberated in 1945, with the end of the Second World War, and was incorporated into modern Greece. Today Rhodes is the capital of the Dodecanese District, the registered centre of the District Local Authority, and of the Province of Rhodes, to whom the islands of Symi, Tilos, Chalki and kastellorizo belong.

Areas of Special Interest

The whole of Rhodes Island is a museum to history; its many remains attracting visitors interested in all periods. The acropolis of Lindos and its traditional village beneath, ancient Kamiros, the Medieval City of Rhodes, which UNESCO has declared a World Heritage Site, the Byzantine buildings and monasteries with their excellent religious paintings , the fortresses of the Knights, and the Turkish minarets, are just a few samples from an historical tour of the island.

Of special interest, too, are visits to such places as the Valley of the Butterflies, Seven Springs, Profitis Ilias, Filerimos Hill, the Lake of the Dwarves, the wildlife reserve at Apolakkia, Prasonisi Island, and the many and varied villages, each with its own special character. The island, furthermore, has extensive and clean beaches, all sporting the blue quality flags of the European Union. In the Medieval City the visitor can admire the exhibits at the Archaeological and Byzantine Museum, the Folklore Museum, and the Palace of the Knights.The visitor can also walk in the narrow streets and small squares with their numerous shops, the traditional mezedes tavernas, as well as modern luxurious restaurants. The New City has its own interesting sights: the Lighthouse of St. Nicholas and the windmills along the entrance to the small port of Mandraki the Naillac Tower, the Aquarium, the Casino in the traditional Hotel of the Roses the impressive public buildings and the various cafes along the harbour front, and many other places of interest.

Sports and Entertainment

As well as the sporting activities that take place on a local and national championship level, such as football, basketball, athletics, swimming, and sailing, and which all have their own wonderful island settings, Rhodes has also established itself as a venue for various international events. There are, for example, the International Cycling Tour of Rhodes, the International Beach Volleyball Championships, international windsurfing competitions, the "Diagoria" athletics meeting, in which many internationals take part, and the International Cultural Marathon. In addition, for the island visitor, there are opportunities and good facilities for other sporting activities: golf, tennis, cycling, horse riding, water sports, mountaineering, and walking tours of cultural and ecological interest. And if that is not enough, there are trips to the small neighbouring islands, rambling, snorkelling and sub-aqua fishing!

Dr. M.I. Logothetis
Institute of Tourism and Hotel Research