Many of the paintings have been part of official exhibitions, both in Greece and abroad. Alongside the masters there are in display other important artistic expressions that complemented the intellectual character of each decade and each major historical period. With a few exceptions – mostly regarding recent generations of artists who are still developing their own style and technique – the Municipal Gallery of Rhodes is a highly representative museum of the Greek Art of this century.

With the sole exception of the painting by Angelos Yiallinas, the works in the Municipal Art Gallery of Rhodes belong to artists born after 1863. They cover the four distinct periods of 1863 to 1881, 1882 to 1897, 1898 to 1909, 1923 to 1940 and lastly the forties.

The first group contains fifteen artists, the most prominent of which are undoubtedly K. Maleas, K. Parthenis and Theofilos Hadzimihail. The second of the aforementioned groups includes D. Galanis, G. Gounaropoulos, F. Kontoglou, N. Lytras, G. Bouzianis, S. Papaloukas. The third group is consisted of forty artists (S. Vassiliou, A. Kontopoulos, N. Nikolaou, N. Hatzikyriakos – Ghikas and others); the fourth group features about thirty works, including the painters D. Diamantopoulos, N. Engonopoulos, Y. Moralis, D. Mytaras, G. Sikeliotis, Y. Spyropoulos, Y. Tsarouhis and others. The fifth group includes artists born between the wars, with approximately forty works by artists such as Y. Gaitis, G. Ioannou, N. Kessanlis, P. Tetsis, A. Fassianos, and others. The last group contains relatively fewer works, about ten in number, by artists such as H. Botsoglou, T. Patraskidis, Y. Psychopedis, O. Zouni and others.

Today the Gallery hosts 690 exhibits but only 90 are available to the public disposal. The paintings exhibited are changed in regular intervals.

Related posts:

1. Rhodes Aquarium
2. Art Exhibition: The Springs of the Future
3. Rhodes in ITB Berlin

In 1934, during the Italian occupation of the Dodecanese Islands (1912-1943), the Governor Mario Lago launched the construction of the Reale Istituto di Ricerche Biologiche di Rodi (Royal Biological Research Institute of Rhodes) in Cape of Mili, the northernmost point of Rhodes Island.

The Italian architect Armando Bernabiti undertook the projects of designing and building, the latter finishing in 1935. In his work, local and Art Deco architectural elements were combined with others of naval aesthetics, such as curved lines, openings like portholes, various raising levels and a central cylindrical tower. The marine fauna inspired the main entrance decoration. Aquarium’s original interior, decorated with porous rocks and natural seashells, brings to mind an underwater cave and has not changed over the time. Unaltered has also remained the floor, paved with a black and white pebbles mosaic, on which marine creatures are represented.

The original exterior of the building did not change until 1971-72, when an exhibition hall (museum) and a pool for seals were added at the north side.

The Institute began to operate in 1937 focusing mostly on biological and hydrological subjects related to the Aegean Sea and also on problems regarding sponge fishing, fisheries and agricultural entomology, hosting at the same time an aquarium with interesting samples of the Mediterranean fauna.

From 1948, when Dodecanese Islands were united with Greece, until 1963 the Institute continued operating as a Regional Station of the Hellenic Hydrobiological Institute under Athens Academy of Sciences auspices. Since 1963, with its present name, the Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes (H.S.R.) operates as Aquarium and Museum and research unit of the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (H.C.M.R.-Ministry of Development/General Secretariat of Research and Technology) (www.ncmr.gr, www.euac.org, www.eaza.net ).

The Greek Ministry of Culture has characterized H.S.R’s building as an historical landmark and distinguished sample of the “International” architectural style.The aim of the Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes is “To develop and propagate scientific knowledge on the marine environment and its conservation”.
Some of its activities:

• Oceanographic research in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.
• Development of know-how in the field of aquariology.
• Study and conservation of endangered aquatic species.
• Rescue – treatment – rehabilitation – release of aquatic animals in distress.
• Cooperation with other research and educational institutes.
• Providing of training and consulting for a sustainable management of the marine environment Training of students on specialized subjects.
• Educational activities aiming at awaking environmental conscience of secondary education pupils.
• Transfer of knowledge concerning the seas to specific public groups by organizing specialized lectures and seminars.

Interesting fauna and flora species, endemic to the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean Seas are mainly exhibited in the Aquarium, along with immigrant species coming from the Red Sea. In the Aquarium’s part that is devoted to marine life there are 12 tanks, from 1.000 to 5.000 liters capacity, a 25.000 liters central circular tank and 15 small aquaria of 50-100 liters capacity each. In the Museum a 1.000 liters aquarium hosts the endangered freshwater fish Gizani (Ladigesocypris ghigii), endemic to Rhodes Island (www.life-gizani.gr).

Managing Aquarium’s hosted species (collection, transport, nutrition, care and display) and monitoring and maintaining the facilities demand daily and elaborate work of a team comprising biologists, ichthyologists and technicians. Special care is devoted to the preparation and distribution of food to the aquarium-hosted specimens. Their diet includes squids, mussels, shrimps, octopuses, fishes and fresh vegetables.

An open seawater circulation system is installed, i.e. the water is continuously renovated, with a minimum treatment, ensuring almost natural living conditions for the hosted specimens. The seawater, pumped at 44m, is filtered through pro-filters and sand-filters and successively is distributed to the tanks. A volume of about 75.000 liters of seawater circulates in the Aquarium’s installations, the curatorial tanks included. The seawater temperature in the tanks is 16,5-17° C in winter and 19-22° C in summer. The pH ranges from 7,90 to 8,60, the salinity is about 39‰, the dissolved oxygen 6,70-8,80 mg/l and the turbidity is nearly zero. Telematics are used for monitoring the aquarium’s technical installations and the seawater quality.

A closed system is used for the 3.500 liters of fresh water circulating in the exhibition and laboratory tanks. The fresh water undergoes an ultraviolet treatment and is recycled through mechanical and biological filters, while its physical-chemical parameters are daily monitored.

Museum’s interesting collection comprises rare exhibits that are accompanied with informative material and video-projections.

Opening hours
The Aquarium is open daily at following hours:
From April 1 – October 1 at 09.00 – 20.30
From November 1 – March 31 at 09.00 – 16.30
Closed on Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday, Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year’s Day (January 1).

Related posts:

1. Aquarium beach
2. A short guide to Rhodes (II)
3. Archaeological Museum of Rhodes

Feraklos castle is located on the place once stood an ancient Acropolis. The castle was used by pirates before the Knights of St. John ousted them, reinforced the castle than used it as a prison. Reached from the track by a footpath leading to steps It is a good climb and fairly rough underfoot it is located at about 300m above the sea level. From here you can enjoy an amazing view of the Agathi Bay and the small village of Haraki.

Make a mental note of the entry point into the castle since this is much less obvious on the return. Like many of these smaller fortifications on the island, the walls are the only significant remains. This one is no exception and the inside is overgrown with shrubs and other vegetation. Narrow footpaths lead around the enclosure and there are excellent views from the walls down to Agathi beach and to Haraki in the other direction.

Feraklos castle was the last stronghold in Rhodes to succumb to the Ottoman Empire.

Related posts:

1. The castle of Monolithos
2. Haraki
3. Agathi beach

There are two contrasting stories involving the founding of this small monastery. One, the most plausible, narrates that Ypsilantis brought in this area his daughter to cure her from tuberculosis, as the water that sprung from a rock of the mountain was considered to be therapeutic. In gratitude, he founded this small monastery dedicated to Virgin Mary giving the name of Kalopetra that in Greek means good stone. According to the other story the prince built this monastery after having survived a terrible sea storm with his two children. The legend says that Ypsilantis saw a divine light emanating from the area of Kalopetra that helped their ship to reach the land safely.

Related posts:

1. The Monastery of Taxiarchis Michail Panormitis
2. Municipality of Petaloudes
3. Filerimos

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When Christianity first grew its roots in Greece (before spreading in the world), many of the ancient cult sanctuaries were transformed into churches. At that time the temple was converted into an early Christian three-aisled basilica dedicated to Vergin Mary (Panagià, Παναγιά). The church is well known since for housing the icon of the Virgin of Filerimos. Attributed to St. Luke the Evangelist, the icon was brought in to Rhodes during the 13th century, probably from Jerusalem where it remained until 1523. Under the rule of the Knights of St. John a Monastery was built, surrounded by cloisters and cells and a number of chapels. When the island came into the possession of the Ottoman Turks, the icon was taken by the Knights to France and from there to Italy, then Malta and Russia, where it stayed until the 1917 revolution. Since 2002, it has been kept in the Blue Chapel of the National Museum of Montenegro.

The Monastery was destroyed by the Turks. In 1876, various excavations brought into light a Mycenaean pottery, a Doric foundation and the ruins of the Hellenistic temple of Athena Polias. In the ’20s, during the Italian occupation, in the effort to consolidate and justify the Italian presence on the island, a major reconstruction was carried out. They added a Via Crucis (Calvary), a pathway that leads from the monastery towards the south-western edge of the plateau, to a small square with a stunning view dominated by the Mt. Attavyros in the distance. Here an imposing iron Cross stood in the middle. Along the right side of the path, stone altars were built with embedded reliefs, depicting scenes of the Passions of Jesus. They even brought a congregation of Capuchin monks but no particular care was taken for the Hellenistic and Byzantine relics.

Today the Monastery remains almost unchanged. A long stair in the entrance leads up an avenue of cypresses and bougainvillea to the cloister and the foundations of the temple. The Early Christian basilica, and the small subterranean Byzantine church are open to the visitors. It is the preferred place by the Rhodians for wedding ceremonies. Stunted pastel cedars form now an archway in Via Crucis, leading to the belvedere where a few years ago an gigantesque Cross made of concrete was erected.

Reference: Gothic Mediterranean

Lonely Planet Rhodes & the Dodecanese (Lonely Planet Rhodes and the Dodecanses)

Paul Hellander. Lonely Planet Publications 2001, Paperback, 256 pages, $15.99

Related posts:

1. Archeological sites on the island of Rhodes
2. The west coast of Rhodes
3. A short guide to Rhodes (II)

In prehistoric times the Mylantian gods, who taught mankind milling and kneading, were worshipped here; a Mycenaean necropolis have been excavated at Kalavarda, west of Kamiros. Findings from the Geometric period (8th c. BC) testify the existence of a temple dedicated to Athena on the Acropolis. It is known that the earthquake of 226 BC destroyed the Classical city and probably the Classical temple of Athena Kameiras.

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The Hellenistic city was built on three levels according to the Hippodamian system (Ιπποδάμειος – an urban planning based on a grid system). On the summit of the hill was the Acropolis with the Temple of Athena and the Stoa. On the middle terrace was the settlement and lower down the Hellenistic temple, Doric Fountain-house, Agora and Peribolos of the Altars. The area was embellished with numerous votive offerings, stelai and plinths with statues. The earthquake of 142 BC destroyed the city for the second time.

The site runs dramatically down to a cliff that overhangs the sea. High on the rise are the columns of its acropolis; threading underground are the 3.500-year-old water systems; and casting shadows on the ancient floors are the walls of houses whose original owners claimed they could recall how Cassius came to punish the island for siding with Mark Antony, taking back with him 3.000 works of art. Some are now in the Vatican Museum.

First excavations started in the Victorian era by English and French archaeologists. In particular, the Acropolis was first excavated by Biliotti and Salzmann from 1852 to 1864. In 1928 during the Italian occupation of the island, the Italian Archaeological School began a systematic excavation of the area together with restoration work which continued until the end of the 2nd World War.

The archaeological area of Kamiros comprises the settlement, which was built on three levels, with the following monuments:

Acropolis and Precinct of Athena Kameiras

The Doric temple, a tetrastyle peripteral (with porticos on all four sides), was surrounded by a peribolos. It replaced a previous Classical temple which was destroyed by the earthquake of 226 BC. Only its foundation has survived. Reservoir. A rectangular construction lined with plaster. Terra-cotta pipes and two apertures with stone covers on the bottom served to carry the water to the settlement. It had a capacity of 600 cubic metres of water, a reserve sufficient for 300-400 families. Steps on the sides facilitated access to clean the reservoir, which was covered. It dates to the 6th-5th c. BC. In the Hellenistic period its place was taken by a stoa, which put it out of use.

Hellenistic Stoa.

This consisted of two rows of Doric columns and shops or lodgings at the rear for the worshippers. The columns at the front supported an architrave with metopes, triglyphs and a cornice (3rd-2nd c. BC). There was an impressive water supply system under the floor with wells (with covers, according to an inscription), subterranean tanks and terra-cotta water pipes, which replaced the earlier reservoir.

Four-sided Hellenistic Altar (in front of the Doric Stoa)

Settlement of the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Built according to the Hippodamian system (with a grid of parallel streets and residential blocks of the same size, called insulae), it spread over the middle terrace of the hill. A principal feature of the houses was the interior colonnaded courtyard with one side usually higher than the others (Rhodian peristyle). They were adorned with mosaic floors and facades with architraves and painted decoration on plaster. Among them are the remains of public baths with hot and cold chambers and hypocausts (underfloor installations for heating the rooms).

Hellenistic temple

Located on the third and lowest terrace of the archaeological zone. It was a poros distyle temple (having two columns in antis at the front), with a pronaos, cella and opisthodomos. The base of the cult statue is preserved in the cella and behind was the treasury, a pit cut into the floor to hold the temple money. It was probably dedicated to Pythian Apollo.
Ionic Naiskos of poros stone with plaster facing, used to house votive offerings.

Fountain-house

The facade consists of poros Doric half-columns faced with plaster and supporting an entablature. Panels closed the intermediate spaces. Inside it was an open tank from which the water was drawn (mid-4th c. BC). At a later period (3rd c. BC) the tank was replaced by a well and the columns were carved with the names of the damiourgoi (eponymous priests of ancient Kameiros). Behind the fountain-house the remains of a stoa can be see. A revetment wall on three sides retained the earth fill of the upper terrace.

A four-sided square (Agora)

Opened in front of the fountain-house, where the citizens forgathered for religious ceremonies. It had three steps on the south and east sides. Walls later enclosed the north and south sides, in which were doors to admit the faithful. Half-columns embellished the north wall, and at the southeast corner there was a four-sided structure, perhaps a votive offering. The inscribed plinths on the stairs at the south side are later reconstructions by the Italians. Inscribed bases for statues and votive offerings were erected on the west side. The most important of the votive offerings was that of Panaitios, with the inscription ΘΕΟΙΣ ΠΑΣΙ – to all the gods. There are two half-finished inscribed votive offerings behind the north entrance to the Agora, one of them probably depicting a bull.

Peribolos of the Altars

On the northeast side of the third terrace along the retaining wall inscribed altars were erected, on two levels, dedicated to different deities (Agathos Daemon, Artemis, Zeus, Poseidon and others). There are remains of a large oblong altar dedicated to Helios on the first level.

A semicircular dais in front of the Peribolos of the Altars carried a votive offering

A monumental staircase between the Agora and the Peribolos of the Altars led to the residential centre.

Further reading:

The Perseus Project

Polis

Mogens Herman Hansen. Oxford University Press, USA 2006, Paperback, 246 pages, $25.92

Rhodes in Ancient Times (Archaeopress Guides)

Cecil Torr. 3rdguides 2005, Paperback, 280 pages, $35.00

Related posts:

1. Fire blast in Kamiros, Rhodes
2. Municipality of Kamiros
3. Archeological sites on the island of Rhodes

The castle is located near the village of Monolithos at the summit of the tall, craggy rock, dominating the view. To visit the castle, you can drive to the foot of the cliff, park your car at a convenient spot, and follow the narrow little steps all the way up until you reach the summit.

In old times, this castle was considered one of the four more powerful fortresses on the island, but today only the external walls fortifications remain. Inside the perimeter of the walls there are two 15th century chapels, St. Panteleimon and St. George. Looking around the ruins it is easy to spot that the castle was actually built on the foundations and ruins of another, older castle.

But it’s not for the ruins or even the churches that you would embark on the strenuous climb to the top – it’s the breathtaking view from there that looks over the sea and the numerous islets off the western coast, the mountain of Akramytis and innumerable hills, as well as the village of Monolithos below.

Related posts:

1. Monolithos
2. The castle of Feraklos
3. Glyfada beach

Like almost every part of Greece, the island has a number of important archeological sites, evidence of a history of over three thousand years. Excavations bring every year to the light new foundings. It is common in Greece for a church or an important building to be situated over the relics of an acient temple, or for medieval fortification to use ancient castles and walls.

Because of the continuity in the island’s history and the consequent re-use of materials and, in some cases, of entire buildings, much of the historical-artistic heritage is assimilated also into the structure of all old constructions. In this sense, Rhodes is an open museum, where traces of the past eras can be found even on a humble village house.

Probably the most important archeological site on the island is the unfortified ancient town of Kamiros, one of the three Dorian cities founded on the island, located on the southwest part of the island. But it is the magnificent Acropolis of Lindos, built on rock over the village, accessible only on foot or with a donkey, the most visited one. Its doric Temple of Athena is located inside a Medieval Castle, thus creating an interesting blend of two cultures. The construction of the Acropolis is dated at 1100 B.C.

No more than one kilometer from the center of the city, on the beautiful hill of Agios Stefanos (monte Smith), lie the sparse remains of the Hellenistic Era of Rhodes. The site contains a restored theater, a stadium and the remains of the temple of Apollo .

On the top of the Filerimos‘ hill, are the few remains of the acient Ialyssos together with a Byzantine castle and monastery.

Rhodes in Ancient Times (Archaeopress Guides)

Cecil Torr. 3rdguides 2005, Paperback, 280 pages, $35.00

Related posts:

1. Natwest Island Games Rhodes 2007
2. The west coast of Rhodes
3. Filerimos

The Sound and Lights show of Rhodes, opens its gates for another year and welcomes its audience from Wednesday, May 9th 2007.

It is well known that the past few years major steps have been taken to improve and update both the show and the Municipal Garden, where it is hosted. This year, in cooperation with the Municipality of Rhodes, the garden is improved even more, in order to creat a knight-colored oasis of culture and green, right at the Rhodes downtown.

Thus, we call you all to support these efforts, and communicate the project to even more people, enhancing the touristic and cultural product of Rhodes.

From our side, we promise to continue promoting and operating the show so to evry visit of yours to be transeferred to a magic world of knights, under the lights of the castle.

Ticket Prices
General Entrance: 7,00 euros | Special Entrance: 3,00 euros

- The special entrance ticket applies to students, army services employees and members of multi-children families, carrying the related id.
- Free entrance for children aged up to 8 years.
- Tickets, programs and memorabilia available at the Show’s desks (Municipal Garden).

Information at: (0030) 2241021922

Related posts:

1. E! reality show Perfect Catch in Rhodes
2. 2009 season celebrations
3. The Medieval Festival of Rhodes

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During the Ottoman occupation (from 1522 to 1912) the building was used as a prison. In 1865 an explosion in an arsenal almost completely destroyed the Palace. During the Italian occupation extensive restoration works were carried out, destroying in part the original construction.

Currently a number of exhibitions are hosted in the building.

Related posts:

1. The Palace of the Grand Masters in top
2. The Grand Master’s Palace closed.
3. August 15: Religious holiday is the perfect excuse for Greece to throw a grand party