About Rhodes
Villa Aglaia, rental villa near Gennadi, Rhodes.
History of Rhodes:
Ancient History:
The island of Rhodes has been inhabited since the Stone Age with the Cretans and the Phoenicians in evidence there before the Trojan War of 1184BC. The period following this war saw the emergence of the 3 largest and most powerful cities on the island – Lindos, Ialyssos and Kamiros – culminating with their uniting into a single political unity to found the city of Rhodes in 408BC. The heyday of ancient Rhodes was the 3rd century BC when famous artists, writers and philosophers lived on the island.
From 200BC Rhodes aligned itself with the Roman Empire but this led to a start in the decline of the island’s fortunes in the first century AD.
Byzantine Times:
Rhodes was one of the first islands to turn to Christianity as a result of the visit of Saint Paul in 58AD to preach in Lindos.
The following centuries were difficult times however as there were frequent raids from pirates among them being Saracens and Turks. There remain a large number of early Christian churches scattered all over the island which are very interesting to see.
515AD Earthquake:
From 314AD Rhodes was part of the Eastern Empire of Rome but life was not peaceful or without problems. In 515AD the city of Rhodes was destroyed by an earthquake although it was re-built afterwards by Emperor Anastasios. Constant attacks and upheaval followed over the next 500 years and 620AD saw the capture of Rhodes by the Persians. In 653AD Arab invaders sacked the town and destroyed its monuments and Saracen incursions continued with other invaders also plundering the City.
Crusaders:
The eleventh Century saw a renaissance of the previous commercial activity with Rhodes forging trade relations with the West and in particular with the Crusaders.
With the establishment in Rhodes of the Knights of Saint John in 1309, the City became the centre for the Order. This led to wide development, not only of the Port but also of the City and its fortifications. The City took on a mediaeval character and had extensive shops, houses, inns, palaces, churches, synagogues, public buildings and barracks.
Following the siege by the Turks in 1480 and the earthquake of 1481 there were more repairs also new work was carried out on the fortifications and the seven Gates of the City.
Suleiman the Magnificent:
The Knights’ rule had lasted 213 years but in 1522 after a hard fought siege of 6 months the Knights were forced to give up the City. Suleiman allowed them to leave with honour and the Knights moved to Malta to set up their order after intervention from Charles V and the Pope on their behalf gave them a new place to establish themselves. From then onwards they were known as the Knights of Malta.
Modern Times:
Rhodes remained under Turkish rule until 1912 when it was taken over by the Italians.
The end of the Second World War saw the end of Italian rule and in 1947 Rhodes and the other eleven islands of the Dodecanese were incorporated into Greece.
World Heritage Site:
The Mediaeval Old Town of Rhodes was designated a World Heritage Site in 1988. When you visit you are entering the oldest inhabited mediaeval town in Europe. It is a vibrant and bustling place with some 6000 people living and working inside its walls.
Everywhere you turn there are mediaeval houses, mosques, trees, gardens, fountains, oriental motifs, Byzantine and Gothic churches. Many streets have no name. Excavation is on-going and every turn opens up a new view. With the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Great Hospital, the Street of the Knights the Upper Town is one of the most beautiful examples of the Gothic period.
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