The Greek city of Lindos is well known to historians. On a high hill there is the Acropolis - the second largest and largest in the country after the Athenian. The second antique attraction of Lindos is the sanctuary of Athena Lindia, which the Greeks worshiped three and a half millennia ago. The modern Greek resort is famous for its ancient artists, one of whom created in 190 BC. NS. the statue of Nika of Samothrace, now exhibited in the Louvre and considered one of its main relics. In short, you will always find something to see in Lindos, especially if the history lessons at school were your favorites. Those who prefer to explore the picturesque surroundings on vacation will not be disappointed by the resort either. Not far from the town is the magical valley of the Seven Springs, where you will be able to cleanse your body and soul and be reborn for a new life. If you believe in legends, of course.
TOP 10 attractions in Lindos
Ancient greek acropolis
On the hill that rises above Lindos, the ancient Greeks erected many sanctuaries and buildings of cult and religious significance. The natural city citadel was then fortified by the Romans, Byzantines, Knights of the Order of St. John and the Ottomans, and today you can find traces of several cultures and eras on the Acropolis:
- The Doric Temple of Athena Lindia is dated 300 BC. BC, but archaeologists believe that it was built on the ruins of an older structure.
- The Hellenic portico with side wings was built in the 2nd century. before a new era. The portico was more than 85 m long, and its roof was supported by 42 columns.
- A staircase from the same period leading to the main part of the Acropolis.
- Ruins of a Roman temple dedicated to Diocletian and built in the 3rd century. n. NS.
- Castle of the Knights of the Order of St. John, erected at the beginning of the XIV century. on the foundation of more ancient Byzantine fortifications.
- Orthodox church in honor of the same saint, dated to the XIII century. and built on the ruins of an earlier temple.
The real gem of the Acropolis in Lindos is a bas-relief depicting an ancient Greek ship, carved at the foot of the hill. The work of the sculptor Pythokritus, who created Nika of Samothrace, is considered unique, and the bas-relief is dated to the 2nd century. BC NS.
Temple of Athena Lindia
Athena in Ancient Greece was one of the most revered goddesses. She was responsible for military science, oversaw strategy and wisdom, and therefore temples and sanctuaries were built in her honor. One of these temples existed on the Lindos Acropolis. Legend has it that in the 1400s. BC NS. it was built by Danai - the ancestor of the Danaans and the son of the Egyptian king Bel. Fifty daughters helped the father, and all this happened during the forced exile of Danae to Rhodes. On the island, he hid from the wrath of the goddess Hera, famous for her jealousy.
The Temple of Athena of Lindos was very famous outside of Rhodes. Even Alexander the Great came here to worship the deity on the eve of the upcoming important military campaigns.
In the IV century. the sanctuary was burned and plundered by Christian fanatics.
Castle of the Knights of St. John
At the beginning of the XIV century. the knights of the Order of St. John, the world's oldest order of the Roman Catholic Church, came to Rhodes. This happened after the seizure of the Holy Land by the Muslims. The knights continued their activities in Rhodes and built a castle in 1317 on the site of the former Byzantine fortifications. Thus, the Acropolis of Lindos became a citadel again.
The design of the fortress took into account the natural relief of the hill, and the walls and towers organically fit into the rocky bends and formations. This allowed the citadel to become completely impregnable. On the southern side of the hill was a pentagonal tower, from where the observation of the harbor, settlement and the road leading from the southern part of the island was conducted. In the east, a round-shaped bastion was placed, and in the northeast there were two more observation towers, which instantly became defensive fortifications in the event of an enemy attack.
Alas, time did not spare the fortress, and today you can look at the ruins of only two towers, but the view from the Acropolis to Lindos is still magnificent.
Antique amphitheater
At the foot of the Acropolis, you will see an ancient architectural monument typical of the ancient Greek city-states. The amphitheater of Lindos is unique in that its stage and stands, on which the seats were located, are carved from a single piece of rock located at the base of the hill.
The theater bowl had 19 rows above the semicircular passage, called diazoma, and 7 more rows above it. The very first rows were intended for the nobility - officials, persons exposed to power, and their families. These three tiers were separated from the stairs by low walls on the sides. In total, about 1800 spectators could be present in the amphitheater of Lindos at the same time.
The places of honor around the stage and only five of the nine spectator sectors have survived to this day. However, despite the fact that the theater is in ruins, tourists will be able to get an impression of its former greatness.
Church of the Virgin
The Orthodox Church of Lindos was built in the 13th century. on the site of an older religious building. It was repeatedly altered and the most significant changes in the architecture of the temple were made at the end of the 15th century. The reconstruction was carried out under the auspices of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John.
The cross-domed church has a high stone bell tower that rises into the sky next to the main building. On the plan, the temple looks like a cross, the central nave is covered with an octagonal dome at the base. The walls are whitewashed and the roof is covered with dark red tiled tiles.
The carved iconostasis of the Church of the Virgin dates back to the 17th century. The walls and vaults of the ceiling are painted with frescoes, work on which was carried out in the period from the 17th to the 18th centuries. The murals are dedicated to biblical subjects and tell about the life of the Mother of God and Jesus.
Valley of the Seven Springs
An old legend says that the valley of the Seven Springs in Rhodes is an amazing place. Seven streams flowing through the picturesque valley once pierced a 186-meter tunnel in the rocks. Passing it, the streams form the purest lake, the waters of which, according to local beliefs, cleanse the soul and body and give anyone who gets here a start for a new life. The guides also have more specific promises: women, having walked along seven streams, become seven years younger, and representatives of the strong half of humanity can write off at least the same number of sins. However, in order to swim, you have to overcome a stone cave. Most tourists hesitate to step into the tunnel because the water in the streams is very cold, but those who dare can count on renewed karma and subsequent luck on the path of life.
Don't forget flashlights and comfortable shoes so you can safely walk on slippery rocks!
St. Paul's Bay
A couple of kilometers from Lindos, the Aegean Sea forms a bay, where, according to legend, it arrived in the 1st century. n. NS. Apostle Paul, who preached Christianity in Rhodes. This place is called one of the most beautiful on the island and all tourists who explore the sights of Lindos try to get here.
The bay is formed by rocks, in a natural depression of which two small picturesque beaches are hidden. The northern one is more secluded and small, while the southern one can be quite busy at the height of the holiday season. Both beaches are equipped with sun loungers and parasols that can be rented if you decide to sunbathe in the bay.
There are several cafes on the coast, where you will be offered a snack or a coffee and look at the opening views of Lindos and its Acropolis.
Old churches of Lindos
Several old churches have survived in the city, the construction of which dates back to the 12th-15th centuries, although some ruins already existed in the 5th century. The oldest early Christian basilica was located under the eastern cliff of the Acropolis hill. During excavations there were found fragments of a mosaic floor and tiles of a temple built earlier than the 5th century.
In the list of more recent buildings around the Acropolis, you will find:
- Temple of Georgios Khostos in the northwestern part of old Lindos. The apse of the cruciform structure with a dome contains five layers of fresco painting dating from the second half of the 12th century.
- The church of Georgios Pachimatiotis was built in 1394, as evidenced by the inscription on the south side of the apse. The decoration of the temple is frescoes depicting saints on the south wall and representing the scene of the Ascension in the crypt.
- In the apse on the north side of the church of Demetrios, you will see a 15th century fresco depicting the saint on horseback.
The so-called tomb of Cleobulos, dating from the 2nd century BC, was later used as a temple. BC NS. Formerly the resting place of members of a wealthy family, during the formation of Christianity in Rhodes, the tomb was turned into an Orthodox church.
Old town mansions
Before the arrival in Rhodes of a new style of architecture called neoclassicism, mansions and houses were built here in a special manner, thanks to which the buildings on the island can be easily distinguished from the houses of the Greeks in other regions of the country. The architectural style of the Rhodes builders of the period from the end of the 16th to the beginning of the 18th centuries. included the use of local stone, which could be whitewashed or plastered at the finish. Large windows overlooking the street certainly became part of the project, and the buildings usually had two floors. The houses were covered with tiled roofs with ridge, the entrance gates to the courtyards had arched lintels and resembled the entrances to ancient temples.
The houses of the captains Kyriakos Kolidos and Georgios Markulitsa, built in 1700, and the oldest, belonging to the wealthy city dweller Papakonstantinis and dating from 1626, have survived to this day.
Lindos Beach
The resort of Lindos is rightfully proud of its beach, which more than once became the owner of the Blue Flag for its special cleanliness.
Lindos beach compares favorably with many others in the vicinity for its convenient location and the availability of all the necessary tourist infrastructure. You can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, take advantage of fresh showers and toilet cubicles, dine in a cafe, buy refreshments, sign up for excursions and find out what to see in Lindos, at the offices of travel agencies.
