Lindos
Lindos lies on the east coast of the island at a distance
of 56 Km away from the capital city of Rhodes. Like the
old town of Rhodes, Lindos is one of the monuments that
has been declared subject to preservation and thus has
been able to retain its traditional color. As Lindos is
a cosmopolitan summer resort of international conseguence,
foreigners and Greeks take excursions daily to admire
this unique village, pay a visit to its acropolis that
dominates its leeward bay and swim at its beaches.
According to Homer, Lindos was built by the Dorians in
the 12th century B.C. Rhodes sent nine ships to the Trojan
war which all came from Lindos. The oldest finds that
came to light here were stone from the Neolithic Period
(3rd millenium B.C) which proves how far back the history
of Lindos stretches. The find known as "The Cronicle
of the Temple of Lindian Athena" confirms that several
of the best known names in Greek history visited the temple.
Among them included Herakles, Helen of Troy and Menelaos,
Artaphernes, King of Persia and Alexander the Great.
The ancient theater of Lindos lies to the right of the
harbor. Several parts of its wedge-shaped seats and the
orchestra have survived, as they were curved into the
rock.
The visit to the acropolis of Lindos is an unforgettable
experience with a view toward the village, the sea, the
harbors and the island. The Acropolis is a nearly tringular
rock, 166 meters high, wider and shorter in the north
section and four levels higher to the south. The walls
that were built by the Knights dominate the top of the
acropolis. Going through the entrance you climb up the
stairway that leads to the first level.
There is a magnificent view of the bay to your left and
two important monuments carved to the rock, an exedra
and a ship (trireme) done in relief (170 B.C.). After
that you use the stairs built by the Knights which lead
to the castle at the second level.
Following the stairway from here you find yourself on
the third level, where you'll find the large Hellenistic
Stoa (3rd century B.C.). The wide staircase leads from
here to the Propylea.
This staircase, that sometimes is called 'the stairs to
heaven' because it does give you the impression that you
are mounting into the clouds, leads the visitors to the
top (forth level), that is the reconstructed Temple of
Lindian Athena. According to an ancient myth the first
temple was the work of Danaos while the temple whose ruins
you see today was built in the middle of the 4th century
B.C. The small harbor at south took its name, according
to tradition, from the Apostle Paul who disembarked there
during his visit to Lindos.
The village today has many houses from the 16th, 17th,
and 18th century known as "Captains" houses.
Their architecture and decoration is unique in Greece.
Until recently these houses were deserted but nowadays
the locals restore them under the supervision of the Archaelogical
Service. Descending from the acropolis and strolling through
the lanes of the town with its many tourist shops you
should not leave out the Church of Our Lady (Theotokou).
The building technique ('chochlaki') has its roots in
the Hellenistic period.
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