5 h. tour (Private tour)
(transportation + guidance throughout + guided tour of Lindos + short walking guided tour of the Old town of Rhodes)
For those of you that don't have a full day at their disposal, but still want to see as much as possible of the island of Rhodes, this is the ideal tour. You will be be offered private transportation to the archaeological site of Lindos, enjoy a guided tour of Lindos, and then return back to Rhodes for a short walk and guided tour through the main parts of the Old town of Rhodes.
Lindos was founded by the Dorians, and by the 8th century Lindos was a major trading centre. Its importance declined after the foundation of the city of Rhodes in the late 5th century BC.
In classical times the acropolis of Lindos was dominated by the massive temple of Athena Lindia, which attained its final form in around 300 BC. In Hellenistic and Roman times the temple precinct grew as more buildings were added. In early medieval times these buildings fell into disuse, and in the 14th century they were partly overlaid by a massive fortress built on the acropolis by the Knights of St. John to defend the island against the Ottomans.
Above the modern town rises the acropolis of Lindos, a natural citadel which was fortified successively by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Knights of St John and the Ottomans. This makes the site difficult to excavate and interpret archaeologically. The acropolis offers spectacular views of the surrounding harbors and coastline.
On the acropolis of Lindos today you can see parts the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, the Propylaea of the Sanctuary, the Hellenistic stoa with lateral projecting wings, the well-known relief of a Rhodian trireme (warship) cut into the rock at the foot of the steps leading to the acropolis, the Hellenistic staircase leading to the main archaeological area of the acropolis, remains of a Roman temple, the Castle of the Knights of St John, built some time before 1317 on the foundations of older Byzantine fortifications, as well as the Greek Orthodox Church of St John.
After the end of the guided tour of Lindos, you will board your private vehicle and return back to Rhodes and start your short walking tour of the Old town.
Entering the gateways you will walk parallel to the big fortified wall, with your guide stopping you in some points of interest for further explanations as well as for panoramic views. On the way you will walk through the area of the Agora and the Collachium, where the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem lived and worked, building a stronghold of Christendom in the Eastern Mediterranean. The building of the hospital of the knights of St. John is one of the most impressive and old buildings remaining in the Old town, and houses today the archaeological museum of Rhodes. This is where your tour will end and if you have time available before returning to your cruise ship, you can either enter and explore the museum on your own or the town further.
