World famous for the Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Rhodes remains to this day one of the most attractive islands in Greece. The largest in the Dodecanese Archipelago, Rhodes is often called “the island of sun and light”, for it has more than 3000 hours of sun per year. Therefore, it is almost a certainty that any traveler will enjoy an excellent weather. The island is worth visiting for the ancient history, for it has encountered many civilizations, being situated at the meeting point between three continents. Other than that, it has unique places (both old and new), great gastronomy and culture and, last but not least, it is worth visiting for the incredible people and their warm behavior.
Considering it is an island, the traveler can get to Rhodes in two ways: by sea (in the harbor with the same name) or by air (on Diagoras airport, in Paradisi, a location 15 km westwards the city of Rhodes). Either option has its (dis)advantages. By air means a shorter arrival time (advantage) yet less scenery, whilst by sea means a longer time yet an incredible journey between the hundreds of Greek islands in the Mediterranean.
With almost 2500 years of existence, the ancient town of Rhodes has had its share of history and civilization. Designed and built after the indications of Hippodamus of Milet, one of the greatest city planners of the ancient times, Rhodes soon became one of the most attractive and well organized cities in antiquity. Till the 4th Century A.D. Rhodes was a Roman province. After, the Byzantine period followed. During this period, the Byzantines divided the town in two – the Acropolis, which later became the Grand Masters’ Palace and the Polis, or the lower town. Then, they fortified the town against the Arab attacks which started in the 7th Century. Six centuries later, in 1309 A.D., the Knights’ period followed, when the Order of the Hospitaller Knights of St John of Jerusalem came on the island. The Hospitaller Knights were a Christian organization founded in Jerusalem in the 10th Century A.D. in order to care the sick and injured pilgrims from the Holy Land. Rhodes was used as the headquarters for St John Knights. Two centuries later, in 1522, the Ottomans conquered the town and left their mark with new and specific buildings, such as the Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Mustafa Pasha Mosque and the Yeni Hammam baths (the new Turkish baths). Year 1912 marks the beginning of the Italian occupation, with even more changes brought to the medieval town (the walls were brought to their initial state, prior to the Ottoman occupation, the Palace of the Grand Master rebuilt and the Street of the Knights reconstructed). And finally, the town and island of Rhodes reached its present geopolitical shape and status in 1948, when the entire Dodecanese Archipelago was united with Greece. Today, the town of Rhodes is the largest still inhabited Medieval Town in Europe.
In terms of culture, Rhodes has it all. You will most certainly see at least one cultural event, with an emphasis in the months of summer. For information on cultural events, make sure to visit the website of the municipality of Rhodes, which covers all the events throughout the year (www.rhodes.gr). In June, feast you senses with the Days of Poetry, Cinema, Theatre and Dance. In July and August, see the Drama performances. From August to September, listen to the Days of Music. In September, take a leap back in time into an exceptional cultural voyage, during the Medieval Festival of Rhodes. From August till November, see the most talented artists competing in the Mediterranean Engraving Triennial. Last but not least, in October, run along the athletes in the Triathlon competition during the Days of Youth and Sport.
In terms of gastronomy, the famous crepes are a must and can be a great choice for an early breakfast. Served right in the street, in the heart of the old city, those crepes are a fortunate combination of flavors and spice, mixing Greek and Turkish and Oriental and who knows what other unheard scents. For an even more complex experience, one can try the famous yet not so advertised Dimitrios tavern. Recommended by the islanders themselves, this tavern is the perfect place for some simple yet very tasty dishes. If still not convinced, the traveler should take a look inside the tavern and see the photographs of some of the former customers, such as Roger Moore. And the reason for them choosing such a place is not for the glamour and glitz, rather for its simplicity and coziness. And a last word of advice. If not decided on what course(es) to choose, ask the chef – he will be glad to give you the best advice.
Also between the walls of the old city, try to spend at least a couple of days wandering here and there. Loose yourself on the small streets, in order to really breathe the atmosphere. And of course, do spend a couple of nights in the heart of the old city, in the main square. It is guaranteed to give you a strange and pleasant feeling of warmth and being home. Take a moment to rest and enjoy a quality time on any of the terraces in the square. And if the square is too busy, take a “seat” on the stone stairs or around the fountain. Or try one of the many bars that offer a great time and atmosphere, excellent music for dancing, both inside the bar and outside in the street. And if you don’t know how to dance, don’t worry. Because most of the dance clubs also offer dance animators, that can show you what to do. In other words, Rhodes is a place for all ages and expectations, for you can find here anything from history and culture to shopping and nightlife.
Faimos in toata lumea pentru Colos, una din cele sapte minuni ale lumii antice, Rodos este si in ziua de azi una din cele mai atractive insule ale Greciei. Cea mai mare insula din Arhipelagul Dodecanez, Rodos mai este numita si “insula soarelui si luminii”, deoarece are mai mult de 3000 de ore de soare anual. In asa fel incat vremea excelenta este aproape o garantie. Rodos este o insula cu atat de multe atractii incat e greu de ales una din ele. In primul rand, istoria milenara. Rodos a intalnit multe civilizatii, fiind situata la intersectia a trei continente. In al doilea rand, locurile, gastronomia si cultura si, nu in ultimul rand, oamenii incredibili, cu un comportament la fel de cald ca si locurile.
Fiind insula, pe Rodos se poate ajunge in doua modalitati : pe apa (in portul cu acelasi nume) sau pe calea aerului (pe aeroportul Diagoras, situat la 15 km vest de orasul Rodos). Fiecare varianta cu (dez)avantajele sale. Pe calea aerului, avantajul este evident timpul redus, insa se si pierde din peisaj. In timp ce sosirea pe mare inseamna un timp mai indelungat dar o calatorie incredibila printre sutele de insule grecesti din Mediterana.
Cu aproape 2500 de ani de existenta, orasul medieval Rodos a cunoscut partea sa de istorie si civilizatii. Structurat si construit dupa indicatiile lui Hippodamus din Milet, unul din cei mai mari constructori ai acelor timpuri, Rodos a devenit in scurt timp unul din cele mai atractive si bine organizate cetati ale antichitatii.
Pana in secolul 4 e.n., Rodos a fost o provincie romana. Dupa care a urmat perioada bizantina. In timpul acestei perioade, bizantinii au impartit orasul in doua – Acropolele, care a devenit ulterior Palatul Marilor Maestri, si Polis, sau orasul jos. Dupa care au fortificat orasul impotriva atacurilor arabe, care au inceput in secolul 7 e.n. Sase secole mai tarziu, in 1309 e.n., a inceput perioada cavalerilor, cand pe insula a ajuns Ordinul Cavalerilor Spitalicesti al Sfantului John din Ierusalim. Acest ordin reprezenta o organizatie crestina fondata in Ierusalim in secolul X e.n., pentru a se ingriji de pelerinii bolnavi si raniti din Tara Sfanta. Astfel ca Rodos a fost folosit drept cartier general pentru Cavalerii Sf. John. Doua secole mai tarziu, in 1522, orasul a fost cucerit de otomani, care la randul lor si-au lasat amprenta, cu constructii noi si specifice, precum Moscheea lui Suliman Magnificul, Moscheea Mustafa Pasa si baile Yeni Hamman (sau noile bai turcesti). Anul 1912 marcheaza inceputul ocupatiei italienesti, care a adus chiar mai multe schimbari orasului medieval (zidurile au fost readuse la starea lor initiala, de dinainte de ocupatia otomana, Palatul Marelui Maestru a fost reconstruit si la fel si strada cavalerilor). Si, in cele din urma, Rodos a ajuns la forma sa geopolitica din prezent in 1948, cand intregul Arhipelag Dodecanez a fost unit cu Grecia. Pana in ziua de azi, Rodos a ramas si este cel mai mare oras medieval inca locuit din Europa.
In termeni de cultura, Rodos nu duce lipsa de nimic. Cu siguranta ca si turisti veti prinde cel putin un eveniment cultural, cu accent pe lunile de vara. Pentru informatii privind evenimentele culturale, vizitati site-ul municipalitatii orasului Rodos, care acopera toate evenimentele de pe parcursul anului (www.rhodes.gr).
In iunie, delectati-va simturile cu Zilele poeziei, cinematografiei, teatrului si dansului. In iulie si august, urmariti Performantele dramaturgice. Din august pana in septembrie, ascultati Zilele muzicii. In septembrie, faceti un pas inapoi in timp, pentru o calatorie culturala exceptionala, in timpul Festivalului medieval din Rodos. Din august pana in noiembrie, urmariti cei mai talentati artisti concurand in cadrul Concursului mediteranean de gravura. Si, nu in ultimul rand, alergati in luna octombrie alaturi de atletii din cadrul Triatlonului, in timpul Zilelor tineretii si sportului.
In termeni de gastronomie, faimoasele clatite reprezinta o cerinta obligatorie si pot reprezenta o alegere excelenta pentru un mic dejun timpuriu. Servite direct in strada, in mijlocul orasului vechi, aceste clatite reprezinta combinatia perfecta intre arome si condimente, amestecand mirosuri grecesti, turcesti, orientale si din nenumarate alte zone. Pentru o experienta gastronomica aparte, trebuie incercata taverna Dimitrios. Recomandata chiar de insulari, taverna aceasta reprezinta alegerea perfecta pentru o selectie simpla de gustari, insa de neuitat. Inca neconvinsi? Atunci ar trebui sa aruncati o privire la fotografiile de pe peretii restaurantului. Fotografii cu unii din fostii clienti, precum Anthony Quinn sau Roger Moore. Iar motivul pentru care acestia au ales un astfel de loc nu tine de lux sau stralucire, ci de simplitate si atmosfera placuta si relaxata. Si o ultima recomandare. Daca nu sunteti decisi ce anume sa comandati, intrebati-l pe bucatar – va va recomanda cu placere cea mai buna combinatie de arome.
Si tot intre zidurile orasului vechi, merita sa petreceti cel putin cateva zile hoinarind hai-hui. Pierdeti-va pe stradutele marunte, pentru a respira cu adevarat atmosfera orasului. Si, desigur, petreceti cateva nopti in inima orasului, piata centrala. Cu siguranta veti avea o stare placuta de caldura. Acea stare de “acasa”. Si daca piata e prea ocupata, luati un “loc” pe scarile de piatra sau in jurul fantanii arteziene. Sau incercati unul din multele baruri care ofera o atmosfera aparte si o muzica excelenta, atat in interiorul barului cat si in strada. Iar daca nu stiti sa dansati, nici o grija. Pentru ca majoritatea cluburilor au si animatori, care va pot arata cum sa dansati. Cu alte cuvinte, Rodos este un loc pentru toate varstele si expectantele, unde puteti gasi orice de la istorie si cultura pana la viata de noapte si shopping.
Sebastian Vaida
