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About Rhodes

«Praise the sea maid,
daughter of Aphrodite, bride of the Sun,
this isle of Rhodes»
Pindar

     Greece, Hellas – the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, culture, art & Olympic Games. Who does not know the names of Homer, Sophocles, Aristotle, Diogenes, Socrates, Hippocrates and many others who have contributed immensely to the development of world culture, art and science. Greece can not be imagined without its many islands. The fourth largest – Rhodes, Capital of Dodecanese islands. Washed by the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, is at the intersection of sea routes east and west, 270 nautical miles from Piraeus. Rhodes island area – 1400 sq. km, length – 78 km., maximum width – 38 km & length of coastline is 220 km. The landscape is mainly mountainous with small valleys and lush. The climate is subtropical and more than 300 days of sunshine in a year. Every season the island attracts more than three million tourists.

     History of Rhodes, as well as the history of whole Greece – goes back to mythological era. The first traces of human presence on the island confirmed by findings of the Stone Age. Only in 1400 BC the entire island has been occupied by first Greek tribes & three well-known in world history, the city-states – Ialyssos, Lindos and Kamiros has been founded. The most important event in the ancient history of Rhodes is the union of these three cities in 408-407 BC. In the ancient hellenic period Rhodes is turning into one of the most beautiful and well-organized cities. As a powerful and independent nation it is also becoming a major center of culture and education.

     During the year 305 BC, the island was besieged by Demetrius Poliorcetes, but residents of Rhodes managed to repel the attack. In gratitude to their patron, who helped them in this fight, the Sun god, They bulding a giant statue of “Colossus of Rhodes”, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, which has been destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 226 BC. Third & the begining of second centuries BC – became an apogee of the economic and political power of Rhodes. But even after that history of Rhodes has developed rapidly, leaving traces of eras and cultures, which can be observed today throughout the island, but especially in the medieval town, which clearly can be traced Hellenistic, Byzantine, Italian and, of course, chivalrous times.

     March 7, 1947, the year when the Greek flag has been raised again over government buldings. Today Rhodes is an international tourist center, where people from different countries come to enjoy the golden sun, blue sea and sightseeings, which surrounds you in every part of the island.