Lindos Captain houses
Posted in: Attractions
by GBrown
Lindos is studded with these lovely old residences, hearkening back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when they were constructed by wealthy merchant seafarers as visible evidence of their success. Some were destroyed or badly damaged in the earthquake of 1610, which devastated Lindos, but they were rebuilt sympathetically to their former glories. They vary in size from simple, two-story houses to large, handsome Gothic mansions, with Byzantine and Moorish architectural features, standing in large courtyards and sheltering behind high walls.
Most of the Captains’ Houses feature the beautiful hohlaki pebble flooring, whereby different-coloured stones are set into the ground to produce stunning scenes and pictures. Some houses feature this only on their front steps, whilst others have hohlaki floors throughout the house, as well as in their courtyards.
The houses are also graced with fine Lindian doorways called pyliones, usually featuring exquisite carvings that complemented the rest of the house.
Today, many of the houses have been converted to bars and one in particular to see is the Captains Bar, not far from the church of Panagia. This features stunning flooring and doorways, yet the bar has not detracted from the beauty of the original house.
Others are now private dwellings, although several are open to the public. These are invariably linked to a restaurant or taverna “front of house” where you will be afforded your viewing upon the purchase of a drink. Some do ask that you request permission to take pictures prior to firing away, although this is always granted.
Written by:
Graham Brown
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I’m Graham Brown, a 52-year old business manager from Wiltshire. I took my first foreign trip to Switzerland as a 12-year old schoolboy, caught the “travel-bug” there-and-then, and have never looked back since.
My first trip to Greece was around 15 years ago, with a holiday to Crete, followed by further trips to various islands in the Ionians, Cyclades and the Dodecanese. Of the latter, Rhodes quickly became the firm favourite with it’s dazzling diversity of beaches, scenery, ancient sites, rural villages, culture, food and people. Over the years I believe I must have visited every part of the island, usually with a rental car which enables me to take all the time I require to explore the “real Rhodes”.
I started travel writing around 5 years ago and became a prize-winning contributor to a US-based website. More recently, I have had a piece published in “The Best of Britain-Devon”, published by Crimson Guides of Surrey, UK and have had the good fortune to have several photographs published on various websites and within guide books.
If travel to Greece can be classed as a “hobby”, then it’s number one for me, and this combines well with my other two loves, namely, writing and photography.
It’s difficult to communicate my love for this country – over the years, I have become firm friends with locals on many islands as well as in Athens and we all keep in touch on a regular basis. The spirit of “filoxenia” courses through them all, a distinctly Greek emotion and whenever I return, the warm hand of hospitality and friendship is instantly extended to me.
I’m happily married with two grown daughters and am already looking forward to this year’s proposed visits to Greece in May and September. If I can assist with any proposed trips to Rhodes, then please feel free to contact me via the website here.
