The Lovely Lindos
Lindos is an archaeological site, and a town, lying on the east coast of the island. It is about 50 km south of the city of Rhodes, and its stunning beaches make it a popular holiday destination. Lindos is situated in a large bay, facing the fishing village and small resort of Haraki.
Lindos was founded by the Dorians, who were led by the king Tlepolemus of Rhodes, and arrived in the 10th century BC. It was one of six Dorian cities in the area known as the Dorian Hexapolis. The strategic location of Rhodes rendered the island as a perfect meeting place between the Greeks and the Phoenicians, and by the 8th century, Lindos had become a major trading center. Its importance declined after the foundation of the city of Rhodes, in the late 5th century.
In classical times the acropolis of Lindos was dominated by the imposing 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 the early medieval era, these buildings fell into disuse. 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. The acropolis was fortified successively by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Knights of St John, and the Ottomans, which makes it difficult to excavate and interpret archaeologically. The acropolis offers spectacular views of the surrounding harbors and coastline.
Lindos was founded by the Dorians, who were led by the king Tlepolemus of Rhodes, and arrived in the 10th century BC. It was one of six Dorian cities in the area known as the Dorian Hexapolis. The strategic location of Rhodes rendered the island as a perfect meeting place between the Greeks and the Phoenicians, and by the 8th century, Lindos had become a major trading center. Its importance declined after the foundation of the city of Rhodes, in the late 5th century.
In classical times the acropolis of Lindos was dominated by the imposing 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 the early medieval era, these buildings fell into disuse. 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. The acropolis was fortified successively by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Knights of St John, and the Ottomans, which makes it difficult to excavate and interpret archaeologically. The acropolis offers spectacular views of the surrounding harbors and coastline.