Famous worldwide thanks to the Colossus one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the presence of the Knights of Saint John in medieval times, Rhodes (in Greek Ῥόδος) is, with its majestic old town, the site of Lindos and its many sandy beaches one of the most visited Greek islands (some say too visited especially in summer). Enjoying a mild and dry climate until late in the year and the tourist and sports infrastructure allowing to practice a multitude of activities, it is also the gateway to discover the islands of the Dodecanese.

Historical background.

At the gates of Turkey, the island of Rhodes has a very different past from its neighbors. Its history is unclear until 408 BC, when the construction of the city of Rhodes is decided, on the plans of the town planner Hippodamos. 

It was in -305 when Rhodes was besieged by Demetrios (son of the king of Macedonia), a siege that lasted a year thanks to an impressive resistance of the Rhodians against the sophisticated machines of the Macedonians. The siege ended with an amicable agreement between the two parties, and it was on this occasion that the Colossus of Rhodes was built. A 40m high bronze statue in honor of Helios, patron god of the island, which is today considered the 6th wonder of the ancient world. 

During the Byzantine period (395-1453), the island was forgotten by the Empire and many peoples settled down like the Persians, Arabs or Genoese. In 1309, the Knights of the Order of Saint John settled on the island for two centuries. It was during this period that the fortifications around the city were built, defensive walls to protect the city. The knights left the island in 1522 for the benefit of the Ottomans; the turkish occupation will end in 1912 when by the Treaty of Lausanne, the island is attached to the Kingdom of Italy. Finally after the Second World War the island was placed under the authority of Great Britain, which would hand over Rhodes to Greece five years later, in 1948.