Rhodes, Greece : Beaches, ancient ruins, medieval palaces, walled city !

End of May, beginning of June, 2016 we had a chance to hop over to Greece. Specifically the island of Rhodes (Rodos in Greek). It has good beaches but for us the chief attraction was the medieval walled city, Mandraki harbor with their ancient windmills, acropolis in Lindos and the archaeological sites. The medieval city is indeed a cute throwback to the old. Once can almost feel the "ancientness" as one walks in the night through the city or sit down to eat at one of its multitudes of restaurants.

We covered Rhodes (including couple of beaches and the walled old city), Kamiros, Filerimos and Lindos (with its famous acropolis). Sandhya took time out to go visit some more archaeological ruins at Kamiros. Ancient Kamiros along with Lindos and Ialissos forms Rhodes and is one of the oldest Greek cities. While Lindos is on SE side of the island and hence in Mediterranean sea, the western cities are all overlooking the Aegean sea whose eastern limit is the Rhodes island. 

Sharing some stories via images. (All shot with my new FF Canon 6D and 17-40 L)

Rhodes

Rhodes is less than 20 NM from Turkey. We stayed at the Sheraton and from the balconies one can see the Turkish landfall pretty clear on most days. One of the main attraction there is the medieval harbour which is now called Mandraki port. Supposedly, this is where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. (Regarded as one of the 7 wonders of the world.

Mandraki port with walls of the old town visible

Sea view out to Aegean coast from within the old city walls

Old windmills that were once used to ground grains brought into the port

View of walls of medieval Rhodesian town during sunset

Palace of Grand master of Knights of Rhodes

History of the above palace is very interesting. Initially, when Knight Hospitallers took over Rhodes this was made palace of their Grandmaster. After the island was captured by the Ottoman Empire, the palace was used as a command centre and fortress. later it was converted into a holiday home for Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, whose name can still be seen on a large plaque near the entrance. But it seems he never set his foot upon the palace.

Kamiros

Kamiros was one of the three large Doric cities of the island, which united with Ialyssos and Lindos in the 5th century B.C. to create the powerful city - state of Rhodes. 
(All pics by Sandhya)

Kamiros archaeological site

Filerimos

The Monastery of Panagia Filerimos is located on a hill above Ialyssos, about 10 km from Rhodes Town. The monastery is dedicated to Virgin Mary 
(All pics by Sandhya)

Side walls of Monastery

Lindos
For me, one of the most breathtaking parts of the Island is the Lindos village and the associated Acropolis with amazing ancient ruins overlooking the Mediterranean sea. 

Village of Lindos

Lindos Acropolis