Description of the attraction
70 km north-west of the capital of the island of Rhodes, off the coast of the Aegean Sea, there is a small picturesque town of Monolithos (which means "stone" in Greek). Like many settlements in Rhodes, Monolithos is located on the slopes of a hill and at its foot in the form of an amphitheater. Here you will see narrow cobbled streets, small snow-white houses and red geraniums characteristic of the traditional architecture of Rhodes.
The main attraction of Monolithos is the medieval Venetian-style castle, which is located on the top of a 100-meter steep cliff overgrown with pine trees. The castle-fortress was built in 1480 by the knights of the Order of St. John (also known as the Knights Hospitallers, or Knights of Malta) on the foundations of an older, probably Byzantine structure.
Like all fortifications of that period, the castle was built to protect the territory and the local population from attacks by pirates and other invaders. They say that the impregnable castle was never defeated. Over time, the castle fell into decay, and most of the ancient fortification was destroyed. Today we can only see the ruins of the formerly monumental structure. On the territory of the fortress, there is a small snow-white chapel of St. Panteleimon, which was built in the 15th century. There was another small chapel here, but it is almost completely destroyed. Old cisterns have also survived, which were most likely used to collect rainwater. You can climb to the castle by a stone staircase carved right into the rock.
During the Middle Ages, Monolithos Castle was an important strategic site. From its top, an excellent view of the sea opened up, which made it possible to notice the approach of foreign ships in time and prepare for defense. Today, from the top of the fortress, you can simply admire the gorgeous landscapes of Rhodes and the beautiful panoramas of the Aegean Sea.
