Welcome to Annapolis Inn, Rhodes, Greece

History of Rhodes

The capital, also called Rhodes, occupies the northernmost tip of the island. There are actually three cities on this site – modern, ancient and mediaeval. The modern town has a cosmopolitan character, many late 20th century buildings and hotels. The ancient town, which was founded in 408 B.C. according to plans by Hippodamos of Milesios (the first town planner), started from Monte Smith hill where the acropolis stood and extended as far as what is now the mediaeval city.

All that is left of it today is the ruins of the temples of Zeus, Athena Poliados and Apollo, the Stadium, Gymnasium and the Theatre, which has been restored. The mediaeval city is still surrounded by the high walls erected by the Knights. It is divided by an inner wall into two unequal parts, the smaller Collachio and the larger Burgo or Hora.

ALL TEXTS APPEARING IN THE VIRTUAL TOUR: COURTESY OF THE GREEK NATIONAL TOURIST ORGANIZATION

Virtual Tour of Rhodes

The largest island of the Dodecanese, Rhodes (or Rodos) has become an important regional Center, thanks to its location, climate and natural attractions.
It is known as the Isle of the Sun. Pindar mentions in one of his Odes that it was born of the union of Helios the sun god and the nymph Rhoda. In antiquity it also bore the names Aithraia, Ophiousa and Telchinis.

It was first inhabited in the Neolithic era. A major milestone in the island’s history, which affected the fate of the other Dodecanese as well, was the founding in 700 B.C. of the Dorian Hexapolis, a union of its three cities with Knidos, Halikarnassos and Kos. Its economy and culture continued to flourish until the 3rd century B.C., when it was the predominant power in the Aegean. When, a thousand years later in 1309, it fell into the hands of the Knights of St. John, it became again the Center of power, symbolized by its magnificent mediaeval town and the imposing castle and palace of the Grand Masters.

The island’s terrain is in large part fertile with a great variety of vegetation; its highest mountain is Atavyros (1,215 m. asl) in the southwest.