Rodos is one of the biggest municipalities of the Greek Islands and the financial and cultural hub of the southeastern Aegean. It is the capital of the island and it is divided between the old walled city and new city. The medieval section reflects the Byzantine era and Turkish rule. After the assault of Suleiman the Magnificent in1522 the inhabitants built the new city beyond the walls.

History

The first proven inhabitants were Carians from Asia Minor. Afterwards, the Phoenicians came and developed Rhodes Town into a commercial success. The Minoans from Crete also migrated to Rodos. About 1400 BC the Achaeans came and started a powerful state. Alexander the Great and the Romans once ruled there. The Knights of St John in Jerusalem seized control in 1309. They also lived under the Turkish and Italian occupation.

Art & Museums

The Municipal Art Gallery is located in the old Knights Hospital from the 15th century. The Archaeological Museum houses the Parian marble statuette, the Aphrodite of Rhodes, which is adapted from first century Hellenistic statue. The Rhodes Cultural summer is a festival that includes: theatre, dance and music. Ecofilms is the film festival and the Greek Folk Dance Theatre performs in the summer.

Nightlife

The clubs play rock, disco, Greek music, rhythm and blues, and international pop. Orfandinou Street and Odos Diakonou have nightlife venues. Cafes are located on the harbor, near Academy Square, Odos, Galias, by New Market. The resorts north of Rhodes Town also have a lively nightlife scene.

How to get there

Travelers can land at Rhodes airport from Athens or Thessaloniki. There are four ferry port operators sailing to and from Rhodes. The mini train circles the city around the walls. In the summer buses tour the main attractions and a few in the winter. The up to date marina welcomes those traveling by yacht.