The history of Rhodes island Rhodes is one of the most attractive summer destinations in Greece and the whole world. It resides in the complex of Dodecanese islands, and it is one of the largest Greek islands. In antiquity, it was famous for the statue of the Colossus of Rhodes, which belonged to the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Medieval Town is one of the most well-preserved medieval cities, and thereat, Unesco inscribed it on its World Heritage List. The climate of Rhodes is classified as Mediterranean with 300 days of sunshine per year.
Rhodes is located at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and the Middle East. This location redounded to island’s variety of different cultures and histories, which have affected its civilization. In the Classical Period, the most famous cities of the island were Ialyssos, Kamiros and Lindos. The island prospered for three centuries during the Golden Age until the Roman Times. In this era, the Colossus of Rhodes was built. In 164 B.C., Rhodes came under Roman control, but it remained able to keep its beauty and influence while developing into a leading centre of arts and trade. During the Byzantine Period, Rhodes wasan important trading post between Alexandria and Istanbul. In the 7th century A.D., the Arabs captured Rhodes and made coins from the pieces of the Colossus. The Knights Period started in the 14th and continued until the 16th century.
The history of Rhodes island Afterwards, the knights departed from the island, leaving it under Ottoman control. In this era, new buildings were constructed, such as mosques and public baths, and the city of Rhodes kept its economic function as a market of agricultural production of the island and the surrounding smaller islands. The buildings of the Knights Period in the Medieval Town were well-preserved, and the Ottoman architecture respected the local culture and climate. In the Italian Period (1912-1945), the Ottoman buildings were destroyed, the Grand Masters Palace was built, and the infrastructure work modernised Rhodes. During the Second World War, the British
army bombed the Town, an event that cost many human lives and destroyed significant buildings. In 1988, Unesco designated the Medieval Town of Rhodes as a World Heritage City. Rhodes city is the capital of the Dodecanese Prefecture. The population of the island is estimated between 115.000 and 120.000, and it continues to grow. Nowadays, the tourism is the largest source of income on the island that offers astonishing beaches, traditional villages and luxurious as well as affordable hotels.
Medieval